A Frank O'Hara Tribute Read by Court Green 8 Poets

On February 16, I chose to attend the launch reading for Court Green 8 at Hokin Hall on campus. The reading was hosted by David Trinidad, a leading figure in Columbia's poetry faculty. Court Green 8 is Columbia's annual poetry journal, and this year's dossier is the poet, Frank O'Hara.

To honor Frank O'Hara, candy cigarettes and Cokes were handed out at the entrance to a hall. The reading began with the introduction about Court Green 8 and how it came to be published. After which, they played an audio recording of O'Hara himself, then proceeded to the readings. Each chosen reader read a poem or two of their own and a poem or two or Frank O'Hara's. The poets included:

• Tony Trigilio (co-editor of Court Green 8)
• Holly Amos
• Nate Breitking
• Jessica Dyer
• Susan Firer
• Steve Henry
• Jennifer Karmin
• Robert McDonald
• Kyle Miner
• Larry Sawyer
• David Trinidad

I chose to attend this reading because my good friend and poet Meg had suggested we go together. She thought I would enjoy Frank O'Hara's poetry and she was right.



I thought the energy and overall production of the event was good spirited, which I wasn't sure it would be since it was a college sponsored event.



As for the poets who read, there were varying degrees of poets, who you could tell, had read a hundred times before, and others who were not as well practiced-- but only one or two of the younger looking poets. The most captivating readers were high energy and confident in their tone. The poets who made me laugh were also of the most memorable.



This being my first reading in a long time I was content with the event overall. I think it's important to expose oneself to new artists, living and not. My only thoughts for improvement are to have a better quality audio clip and to give a bit more biographic info on O'Hara. Although, since then I have began reading his poetry on my own because of the event.