Jerome;
First of all, get your phone fixed. I hate trying to
send a short note because it always becomes a long letter or a
long letter Poem. Oh well, there’s also the thought that noone
ever collected a book of the collected phone calls of ___
In planning for the Fall Schedule, one thought was to have you read on Monday, September 8th, with Sharon Leonard Goodman. In meetings with Joe Tiberino, Pete Eshelman, and Mark Scott, we’ve decided to give this whole week a big
publicity push, kind of a Bacchanal Festival of the Arts, with a possible brochure, etc. The other plus is that Sharon, as Poetry Columnist for The –Philadelphia Tribune, would give it a prominent mention. I must also say that the whole thing is my idea. I must say this, since Joe Tiberino isn’t writing this letter and it is an extant document. ‘It was my idea but Tib liked it very much.) The negative is, due to various delays, the schedule may just be getting mailed out by then. At any rate, call me, as soon as possible, about this, at 875-7565, work, or 467-4706, home.
Secondly, and more importantly, is an event we’re planning for
Monday, September 22, 1986 at Bacchanal. As you know, last year Poets & Prophets last year commemorated Banned Book Week with a program at ‘Pen & Pencil. This year, we will be coordinating two events. The general one, we will be holding at the main branch of the Free Library. The specific one at Bacchanal. This event will be Banned Books of South Africa. (This is the idea of Brian Rudnick of Book Street. I gotta give him credit. He’s a lawyer and might sue me.) Initially Peggy was going to coordinate with Brian, as last year, but is unable to do this, at least in the planning stages. My next thought was a remembrance that you had spoken about specific books and had also read from them. I know that both you and Aschak are very well aware of this situation and seem to be the logical choice to work with Brian (phone number listed)I would like to, if you agree to
be part of the coordinating team, to see about scheduling a meeting as soon as possible. I’ve already spoken to Aschak about this, (I remember calling you to get a message to Aschak). Now it’s the reverse. Seriously, I thought of James Mears’ line about some Poets’ having this “conspiracy to not communicate.” I don’t put you in that category, especially after all the work you did at London’s, and all the work you’re doing for Poets and Prophets. Rather I think of my new favorite line, from St. Peter “Non possemus ne loqui” “It is not possible for me not to speak”. (He was speaking of the Resurrection.) So let me know your decision. If you decide not to read with Sharon, please let me know an alternate date, and whether you want to read alone and/or who with, etc.
One of the persons who will be probably be associated with the Bacchanal event will probably be Daily News Columnist Jack McKinney. There are a number of other media figures we plan to get involved. Though I doubt we can affect Reagan’s mindset, maybe we can reach a number of people. Speaking of banning, someone said to me that we don’t have book banning here. My reply was “Try and buy a Hustler with your Big Gulp at your neighborhood 7-11″. I mean I only buy it for the Interviews, but-
Like I said at the outset, this is just a short letter about some upcoming events. Oh yeah, is the Party next week?
Bob Small-8-17-86 (Name signed) Non Possemus ne Loqui
Note; This was from a time when we thought Artists and Poets could make a difference.
Rest in Peace
Aschak
Jerome Robinson
Joe Tiberino
robertthesmall 