Poetry Month at the Kensington Neighborhood Library

This past week, Five-Two alum Aja Beech asked me to contribute a poem with a Philadelphia connection for Poetry Month at the Kensington Neighborhood Library.

I chose "Prayer for the Man Who Mugged My Father, 72" by Charles Harper Webb, who was born in Philadelphia. I reprinted Webb's poem with permission in the 2011 fourth chapbook of The Lineup: Poems on Crime series that preceded The Five-Two.

My contribution and commentary appeared on the library's Facebook page last night. Thanks again to Aja and supervisor of the library's Adult/Teen section Sara S. Palmer.

As a bonus, here's Keith Snyder's April 30, 2011 dramatic reading of Webb's poem. Keith will also be reading the May 18-24, 2020 Five-Two poem "CA" by Ron Riekki, about playground basketball in the time of COVID-19.

Keith Snyder, Voice of The Five-Two

Volunteer performers record Five-Two Poems of the Week for poets unable to do so. If you'd like to become a Voice of The Five-Two, contact me.

Keith is best known for his successful series of crime omelets, including "Do you want cheese or no cheese on this," and "I told you to set the table ten minutes ago." He lives in Connecticut with two teenagers and probably like six bicycles. Recently, his short story, "Blue Skies," appeared in issue #5 of Black Cat Mystery Magazine.

Poems read by Keith

ALL VOICES OF THE FIVE-TWO

If You Only Knew

Appearing in the webzine BEAT to a PULP this week is the wry story "If You Only Knew" by Lineup #4 contributor John Stickney, inspired by fellow contributor Mary Christine Delea's poem, "If You Only Knew How Easy It Is To Break Into My House".

In February, BEAT to a PULP editor David Cranmer posted The Lineup #4's first review. In May, he hosted BEAT to a PULP's first-ever week of poetry, featuring poems by Frederick Zackel, Gerald So, and Keith Snyder.

Keith Snyder reads "Prayer for the Man Who Mugged My Father, 72" by Charles Harper Webb

Several blog tour participants were moved by Charles Harper Webb's "Prayer for the Man Who Mugged My Father, 72". Keith Snyder was moved to create an audio presentation with which we end the tour.

Hear Keith read "Prayer for the Man Who Mugged My Father, 72" on SoundCloud.

My thanks again to the participants and audience. I hope we've sparked a lasting appreciation for poetry.