It
was an exceptionally well-attended reading. From Milton to Bukowski
is a wide range in poets and the sheer wonder of articulating their
words excited the eleven readers present.
We
had a new reader, Govind Sethunath, come by to try out our group. He
chose safety and read a couple of well-known poems of Shelley which
we enjoyed – one was Ozymandias, the first poem ever that
Priya read in our group, as she recalled.
CJ's
appearance provoked some wide-eyed amazement. So much has he reduced
in girth from constant distance running in Hyderabad (his present
posting) around Hussain Sagar lake, that he has had to acquire a new
wardrobe. But his impish wit continues to surprise us, as it did in
the choice of poem and poet – the incorrigible Charles Bukowski.
We
are glad to have Ankush back; he docked at Kochi port only an hour
before our meeting and raced here on his bicycle from his present
posting aboard INS Kesari (pennant L15), a tank and troop landing
ship.
Here
we are at the end of the reading, wrapped in Wreathèd
Smiles
Joe, KumKum, Talitha, Priya, Thommo, Pamela, Zakia, CJ, Govind, Sunil, Ankush