people like me

I'm settling into Iowa City life pretty well - today I ate my own cooking from the food I bought at the co-op, and even *gasp* cleaned the kitchen. My housemate, who has unbounded energy, went about twenty places today. I went to an interview, visited a minister friend, and went to a random poetry reading.

The poet at the reading was shockingly shy. She was funny in a way that was almost intentional, which to me, is the most funny. Honesty is a sort of humor. When she stepped up to the mic, she said, "I'd really rather not be here. Or at least, I'd like to wear a bag over my head with holes for eyes. Maybe a burkah." Which wouldn't have been funny, of course, except that it was obvious that she really did want to find a trap door in the floor, and disappear.

Her poems were sort of intellectual but accessible, and she had that way, that some have, of being dark without ever being overdramatic about it. Sort of: this is true, and it sucks. She didn't draw conclusions that she didn't have access to. By which I mean, she didn't turn observation into theology, the way a lot of writers do. That's skipping a step, somehow.

She also had the best shirt ever! It was velvet, with intricately painted trees on it. Think of a velvet elvis painting - that sort of pallette. But, you know, better. She, and the woman who introduced her, were beautiful, but in an odd way. Not like a hollywood starlet, or even a country singer.

A floor cleaner droned during part of her reading, and someone had to close the door. The School of Business, where the reading was held, was closing down. But in that room, the quiet, awkward poet held a group of students (who probably came by mandate of a teacher) and a few others in rapt attention, hanging on every word, laughing at her oddly placed vulgarities.

I didn't think I was actually going to make the reading - I just stopped by the building in case. I was walking along, dreaming of showing my songs to my roommate and her boyfriend. One of them plays the guitar, not sure which. Somehow I got there at exactly five before 8, and found a seat.

There is room for people like me, here. People sit and listen to accidentally funny, awkward people with interesting takes on life. Maybe I'll find my place.