M. NourbeSe (noor-BAY-see) Philip’s reading at London Open Mic Poetry Night was undoubtedly the most memorable so far for many of the 42 in attendance at the Mykonos Restaurant Dec. 4th. 

But first, singer/pianist Sharon Bee entertained arrivals with her own compositions. The classically-trained pianist has a very beautiful voice and a huge talent. Later in the evening she told me that she is adapting some of a friend’s poems to music, turning them into songs. Her friend just happens to be one of our upcoming featured poets, Monika Lee, due to read June 4th! So we decided that Sharon and Monika will do a mixed performance. Can’t wait!

When Sharon Bee finished her set, our featured poet, M. NourbeSe Philip, read poems from her latest book Zong!, which is based on a legal decision at the end of the eighteenth century that related to the notorious murder of many Africans on board a slave ship. Slaves were dumped overboard like excess cargo in order to lighten the ship. Philip’s poems don’t limit themselves to the situation, its horror and its legal aftermath, but deal with slavery itself and the social and personal effects of slavery, and with death, survival, and memory...the dwindling memory of the murdered. And the sadness of that. She used the court document and other historical details as ‘found’ material to inspire deeper, wider feelings and poetic content. 

The Nov. 6th London Open Mic Poetry Night was well-attended considering it was competing for audience with a major literary event at Landon Library. 

A total of 37 listened to one of London’s best poets, Susan Downe, and a dozen open mic readers, in the Greek atmosphere of Mykonos Restaurant while Irish novelist Emma Donoghue read from her novels at Landon. Even Susan Downe admitted wishing she could have attended the Donoghue event. We learned about the schedule conflict too late to change the date of the open mic. 

However, those who couldn’t attend were able to view our entire poetry event on high-definition video on our website,  the first event videography donated by videographer Kevin Austin of Hawkeye Video Productions. 

Before the poetry began, the audience was treated to the beautiful vocals and celtic harp of Jennifer White, accompanied by percussionist Robert McMaster. 

Interview with Susan Downe
6 Poems by Susan Downe