My first *and only* poetry reading took place on a hot summer day in July 1988 at the Living Batch Bookstore across from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

I had just published "Tar Beach & Beyond" — my book of poetry — and thought I should make some effort to sell a few of the 1,000 copies I had printed. That meant I had to put aside my insane shyness and get in front of people and talk.

One day Independent bookstore owner and Albuquerque Poet Larry Goodell graciously offered me a chance to share the stage with Santa Fe poet Sam Larcombe.

I showed up to the reading wearing an old tuxedo that I had found in a thrift store and I was pleased to see more than a few of my friends in the audience, including my new friend Joey Durant and his rodeo queen, soon-to-be-wife Joy.

Also in attendance was my old friend Laura Maclay, who I first met at St John's College in Santa Fe and has been my inspiration when it comes to dance, hiking, and art.

Little did I know that Larry had a tape recorder rolling. Well, I know now because he emailed me yesterday and asked me permission to put the tapes on the World Wide Web.

So, in case you were not able to make it to my poetry reading, you can attend it now. Thanks, Larry!

Are you interested in meeting other great poets from Albuquerque? Then click these words to visit Larry's Bandcamp website where he hosts some of the hottest wordsmiths in the Land of Enchantment!

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