Mark Doty Tonight!

I get excited about this poet, he's so lovely. He has what an old teacher of mine called 'the poet's eye'. Just found this out: Mark Doty will read as part of the Harold Clurman Poetry Reading Series at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. It's free but you have to call 212-689-0087. Below is just an example of one of his striking, yet quiet poems.

At the Gym
by Mark Doty
This salt-stain spot marks the place where men lay down their heads, back to the bench, and hoist nothing that need be lifted but some burden they've chosen this time: more reps, more weight, the upward shove of it leaving, collectively, this sign of where we've been: shroud-stain, negative flashed onto the vinyl where we push something unyielding skyward, gaining some power at least over flesh, which goads with desire, and terrifies with frailty. Who could say who's added his heat to the nimbus of our intent, here where we make ourselves: something difficult lifted, pressed or curled, Power over beauty, power over power! Though there's something more tender, beneath our vanity, our will to become objects of desire: we sweat the mark of our presence onto the cloth. Here is some halo the living made together.

Photo: Witsblog