Posted 10:28 PM by Bonnie

Open Mic Night! Every month I think it can't get any better than this and the next month I am proven wrong.

Our guest poet, Michele Reese, PhD was wonderful. She shared poems from her book, Following Phia, and also did some newer poems. I have her book and as I told her each poem is better than the previous one. We really enjoyed her and appreciated her sharing her time and her poems with us.

Last Saturday I heard Linda Rowe sing this hauntingly beautiful song called The Old Man and it's about the streets of London. It's a very personal song and story for her and her family so I asked her to come and tell the story and share the song for us. She graciously agreed and everyone enjoyed the performance.

Tonight was a special night for her husband, Tom, as it was his birthday. I read a special birthday poem I ahd written for him. He shared three of his poems with us tonight. His poems are very deep and thought provoking. Haunting in their openess and honesty.

Shawna Bauer joined us tonight as part of her English class at USC Columbia. She lives in Sumter and part of her class assignment was each had to go to an open mic poetry night and read at least one of their poems. She shared three with us and we certainly enjoyed having her with us! So if Shawna's teacher is reading this, yes, she was there and yes she did perform.

And Develon Douglas was back! Just after Keith asked if Develon would be coming this month he walked in the door! Yea!! This guy is phenomenal! Also, his CD is out so check out his web page for more information on that. His lyrics make you sit back and listen and take notice. His style and delivery are impeccable. I can't say enough about him. Just check him out!

And my buddy Colette Jones! She keeps us in stitches! We love her! Everyone talks about her and asks about her and wants to hear more of her! Her poem Grab Bag is requested every month and I'm sure she's tired of performing it for us. But it is hysterical! This is the one I spoke of before that she was challenged to write. While standing in line at the lunch counter at Shaw AFB she was challenged to write a poem about candy. Whew! Who ever knew candy could be that sexy!! Someday I will have to get a copy of that and with her permission post it here for you all to enjoy!

Marie Grady, aka Lyric, has become one of the regulars we look for each month. Her poetry is always heartfelt and compelling. She takes you with her through each line and makes you feel the words. I always look forward to hearing from her and hope she continues to grace Open Mic Night.

Joyce Williams was back again with her fun poems. She was having more trouble than usual with her eyes tonight. She was able to perform one from memory but then had Cynthia Harris, PhD perform the last one. This was a hysterical one about a friend, who years ago, gave her so much flour she didn't know what to do with it. She put some in a cedar chest to keep it from the mice and when she baked with it...well, yep, everything tasted of cedar!

And Dr. Cynthia Harris to the rescue!

Yarbough (Yarbie) Miller was a first timer tonight. Yarbie is a student at Morris College. We are getting more and more students and I am so thrilled to see them there. We certainly enjoyed her poems and hope she will become a permanent member of our Open Mic Family!

And Kiki was back! You will all remember her as our featured poet last month.

And this time she brought her boyfriend, Theo, (I hope I spelled that right) who also shared one of his poems. Hopefully these two will continue to attend and share their poetry.

And here are some group shots of the cafe crowd.