Poet and artist John Lawson poetry reading in New York City
Sheffield — The artist and poet John K. Lawson will give a reading from his new book of poems, “Now,” at the at MZ Urban ART, 617 West 27th St., in New York, on Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m.
Here is one of his poems:
The dogs of war are at it again.
Biting for scraps
at the bottom of an oily barrel.
I’ve given up reading the news, she said.
And taken up painting my nails deep purple.
No more daily feeds or blogs for me.
I’m going back in time and finding out
what got us into this mess in the first place.
Good luck, I say.
Can you pass me the ketchup?
There has to be a specific point,
she continues,
before the days of comparing
whose torture is better or worse.
A time when chemically altering
our food with toxins
was considered biological warfare
or acts of legalized terrorism.
A specific date
when the lines of the unemployed
didn’t end up incarcerated
or miraculously shrunk
wrapped into dollar stores
sprouting across our garbage strewn streets
and turning what’s left of the collective dream
into a white washed scream.
Honey, I say.
This bacon tastes funny,
and before you go on
may I suggest
you stop taking
the kids to church.
— D.S.
* * *
“The Fabric of Life” with Janet McKinstry
Pittsfield – On Thursday, July 9, at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents Janet McKinstry at Congregation Knesset Israel for a presentation called “The Fabric of Life: Creating Beauty and Meaning Out of Scraps and Loose Ends.” Ms. McKinstry will share slides, stories, her fiber art, and handmade marionettes as well as discoveries she has made in creating beauty from trash, in finding depth in sacred text, and in the liberating freedom of self-expression.
For more information call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360, ext. 10.
–E.E.
* * *
Terry A La Berry promotes summer reading
Lenox – Children’s music group Terry A La Berry and Friends returns to Roche Reading Park next to the Lenox Library each Tuesday at 11 a.m. through August 18 as part of the children’s summer reading program.
Terry A La Berry is a fixture at the library’s summer reading program, where children can sign up to read books or be read to for prizes and to keep their reading skills up to par through the summer. This summer’s theme is “Every Hero Has a Story,” and many of the special Thursday morning programs and activities will follow that theme. The reading program will end on August 20 with an ice cream social for participants, celebrating reading and the library building’s 200th birthday.
To sign up for the reading program, stop by the library.
–E.E.
* * *
Open houses at the Montessori School of the Berkshires
Lenox Dale – The Montessori School of the Berkshires will hold open houses on July 9 at 9a.m. and July 16 at 4:30 p.m. These events will include opportunities to tour the campus, discover Montessori’s range of programs, and learn more about enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year. Families of younger children can explore the Children’s House advantage for preschool through kindergarten, ages 3-6, on July 9th and, on July 16th, the Adolescent Experience open house will allow prospective seventh- and eighth grade students and families to speak with current students as well as alumni.
Interested parents can register online or by calling (413) 637-3662. The Montessori School of the Berkshires is open to students ages 15 months through eighth grade. There are immediate openings in the early childhood program and limited openings for elementary and adolescent programs.
–E.E.
