LTV Hosts Inaugural Poetry Affair

“Eye readers,” poet Robert Frost once called them.

They are fast, he said, absorbing meaning by glances. But, in general, they are not very good readers because they miss the best part: the meaning, achieved only by listening, he said.

“The ear is the only true writer,” Mr. Frost said, “and the only true reader.”

Rosalind Brenner also subscribes to that philosophy, which is why the Springs poet helped organized the inaugural Poetry Affair at LTV in Wainscott. In celebration of National Poetry Month, a dozen Long Island-based poets will read from their work on Friday, April 25, to an intimate audience inside the studio. The event will be recorded, edited and broadcast in about two weeks, according to LTV Executive Director Seth Redlus.

Participating poets will include Fran Castan, Monique Enders, Lucas Hunt, Pamela Kallimaris, Janet Kaplan, Michelle Murphy, Joanne Pilgrim, Christina Rau, Julie Sheehan, Grace Schulman, Michelle Whittaker and Ms. Brenner.

“It’s a tradition to read poetry out loud,” Ms. Brenner said last week during a telephone interview. “It gives the poet a chance to speak it as he meant it. And it’s his own voice. I really believe strongly that poetry should be heard. It’ll be fun. If you like poetry, it can’t hurt.”

A meet-and-greet with the participating poets will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 90-minute reading at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. A donation to the food pantry is also requested. For more information, call 537-2777 or visit ltveh.org.