poet Mike James releases latest collection, Back Alley Saints at the Tiki Bar

rESidENT MikE JAMES has recently released his latest book of poetry, Back Alley Saints at the Tiki Bar. This full-length poetry collection is the 21st book by James, who was recently named the 2023 Poet Laureate for Murfreesboro.

His poetry is widely published in journals and magazines across the country.

“He has the ability to pull you in by constantly shifting perspectives, allowing you to enter into the poem and explore his world,” said renowned poet Rebecca Schumejda in praise of the new book.

James, a senior manager by day at Nissan North American and prolific poet by night, has been writing daily since he was 15 years old. This second identity theme is found throughout his latest collection.

“This book, more than any other that I’ve written, is concerned with duality,” James said. “Most of us spend our lives trying to live up to societal expectations. We create one ‘self’ we wear as an identity. In reality, most of us contain many selves. This book is an exploration of those different selves.”

A sampling of the work found in Back Alley Saints at the Tiki Bar:

Legacy

I was born near a river

My father was and his and so forth

We are a family of dirty hand-me-downs and pristine oddities

I was raised to believe in almanac forecasts and fallout shelters

I bake all my bread with a dash of tears

Arts Center Of C Annon County Holds

My dreams take place on Sunday

My gramophone only plays one record

Despite that, my favorite song is Georgia on My Mind

I recite it to myself on sleepless nights

I’ve never been to Georgia

I don’t remember not knowing that song

all I know

One night the sun went away. So morning came by the clock. It was still dark.

The clock changed; Darkness stayed. We were cold and thought of sunny places no longer so.

We thought of the equator as a red line erased. We thought of the Mojave and a long cactus night. We thought of surfers not riding Hawaiian blue waves.

We thought of streetlights with their distant warmth.

We stayed cold in our handheld darkness. The moon stayed in the sky being nothing but itself.

what I learned from rocky Balboa

Staying upright is often enough. Not all broken places heal the right way. Say your fears out loud to those who love you most.

Everyone needs an Adrian.

Be thankful for big chances, cufflink turtles, and spaghetti.

Don’t forget to celebrate at the top of the steps. There are so many steps.

For more poetry from Mike James, purchase Back Alley saints at the Tiki Bar at tinyurl.com/ mikejamessaints.

city to unveil Mosaic Benches at gateway Island trail at May 9 art Installation dedication

gATEWAy iSLANd iS SET TO uNvEiL a set of colorful mosaic benches created by mixed-media sculptor Sherri Warner Hunter on Tuesday, May 9, at 1 p.m. at Gateway Island Trail. The city invites the public to this celebration of community and creativity. The mosaics were made possible thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Concrete Industry Management Department at Middle Tennessee State University, under the direction of Jon Huddleston, donated the benches themselves.

“This donation is a testament to the strong partnerships between the university and the local community and highlights the importance of supporting art and creativity in public spaces,” said Rachel Singer, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Assistant Director.

Since 1994, Bell Buckle-based mixed-media sculptor and author Sherri Warner Hunter has concentrated on creating large-scale public sculptures.

Gateway Island parking is located at 1875 W. College St. For more information about the art installation dedication, contact Susan Hicks at shicks@murfreesborotn.gov.

May 6 and 13 public showings of James and the Giant Peach Jr.

JAMES ANd ThE giANT PEACh Jr. opens Tuesday, May 2, to school groups at the Arts Center of Cannon County. In addition to the shows during the week for schools on field trips, the Arts Center will host performances for the public on Saturdays, May 6 and 13, at 2 p.m.

Join James and his amazing adventure with a group of insects inside of a gigantic peach.

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, which rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.

The James and the Giant Peach cast includes Ella Bailey, Teak Brown, Jillian Jakoby, Ginger Levenhagen, Audrey Daniel, Zaden Dill, Maddie Brown, Laney Marlatt, Colin Totherow, Jesse Blunkall, Catherine Scott, Alexis Warren, Walker Bryson, Addison Hazen, Asher Olson, Hannah May, Caden Olson, Wyatt Olson, Elena Olson, Lili Daniel, Tanner Bryson, Savannah Tatman, Jackson Phillips, Sierra Tatman and Megan Jakoby.

Tickets for the May 6 and 13 shows are $10 for adults and $7 for children 17 and under, and are currently on sale at artscenterofcc.com, by calling 615563-ARTS, or in person at the Arts Center of Cannon County Box Office, 1424 John Bragg Hwy., Woodbury.