Jacqueline Hart Gibson, Gilpin County. Perfectly titled and timed for the season, though actual “melting” is sporadic, Gilpin Library presented its semi-annual poetry reading and open mic night last Saturday. Local professional and ametuer poets, as well as spectators, gathered to share, inspire and encourage each other in their passionate pursuit.

The event was organized and hosted by local poet and published author, Christine Weeber.

The evening began with Stith Bennett, who describes himself as a recovering physicist and political activist. Stith read through reading glasses he found on the ground in Allenspark over 15 years ago and the crowd encouraged him to write a poem about them. His first poem, “At the end of the trees,’ revealed a connection and angered empathy for the environment. Stith finished his set with a comedic twist, analyzing conversation.

John Haworth, contributor to Submit to Spit Poetzine, followed Stith. John brough wine, beer and abundant energy, allowing him to be heard without needing a mic, to the reading. “The beauty of poetry is that you don’t get the complete message,” he shared. “If you have further questions, see me after class.” The work he shared, Age of Bacteria, The Poem Beside the Road and Lilith, invited interesting discussion.

Twenty-three-year Aspen meadows resident, Gurattan Helgeson, makes a living at medical engineering while pursuing interests like teaching kundalini yoga, organic gardening and writing. Gurattan described his first poem, Word Sculptor, as a tribute to those who write, and his second, Totem, as a description of the messages animals bring. Gurattan completed his set with his first ever rap, inspired by John’s son.

Burt Rashbaum, published author in both fiction and non-fiction genres, poetry and music, presented his recent work based on the relatable topic of the Nederland carousel where he works when not writing. He shared poems about the riders and visitors to the carousel as he sees them. He read about the energy and spirit of the carousel as he sees others experience it.

The final poet scheduled for the evening, before open mic began, was hostess Christine Weeber. Christine is a copy editor by profession and has published works at Rocky Mountain National Park and other retailers. She read in English and Spanish, as her book is published. Her voice is perfect for reading poetry; meditative, leaving the listener calmly aware that her work was inspired by both smooth and chaotic forces of nature.

Bonnie Sundance led the open mic night with her poem Planet Earth, giving a voice to the global huma- made crisis to the environment, written on the last day of 2018. Ray Phillip read Icy Word Ways, written for the event and finished his set with The Unplanned, and Upbeat Optimist. Donna Phillip concluded the evening in a short and sweet fashion with A Soft, Sweet Blanket and the only poem describing the individual hardship rain and storms present.

According to Mike Carlson, open mic night generally occurs in the spring and fall at Gilpin County Library and mountain time is observed at this event. There is plenty of time to write now for fall!

(Originally published in the March 28, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)