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the voice of the abingtons abingtonsuburban.com | nov. 3, 2016
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To BE A PoET
At the Comm: Readings from a new book of poetry
by Linda Scott
make it something enjoyable, even fun, they are surprised. As an art form, poetry SPEciaL to tHE abinGton SUbURban expects more from an audience than visual arts or music,” he said. “AssumYoung boys dream of becoming firefighters, policemen or football or baseball ing good poetry is well-delivered, when people leave that kind of poetry reading players. Tom Blomain knew he liked to they feel invigorated and engaged in a write and started writing poems and stories in grade school. He will attest that new way. Poetry can be deeply personal yet universal. Only through poetry can none of his earlier writings exist today. “I don’t think any serious poet decides you travel so far in so small a space or so to write poetry,” he said. “It’s more like an short a time.” There are other writers in his family. affliction, an addition; it’s something you His son Michael is a professional sports just cannot help.” writer. “He is fantastic at what he does, He will be doing a poetry reading and the analysis and commentary. He has book signing Friday, Nov. 4, from 7 to 8 a large audience of readers,” his father p.m. at the Waverly Community House, 1115 N. Abington Road in Waverly Town- explained. “My late sister Karen was a well known poet, novelist and playwright. ship. It will be held in the Constance There is a long lineage of creative people.” Reynolds Belin Room. The event is free. Blomain also writes short stories and Blomain has written several books songs. of poetry. His most recent is “Yellow “I have had a couple of novels banging Trophies” (NYQ Books) which is his third book. His previous collections have around in my head for decades and maybe included “Blues From Paradise” (Foothills someday I will finish them,” he said. “I’m Publishing) and “Gray Area” (Nightshade not sure I can say I enjoy writing. For me, it’s more of a compulsion but I benefit Press). He has also co-edited and confrom the creative outlet of writing. So, tributed poems to a regional anthology I guess I’d say it helps keep me sane by entitled “Down the Dog Hole” (Nightshade Press/Keystone College Books) and channeling my energy.” He has appeared at several different had several poems appear in a number of venues locally and elsewhere reading his other anthologies and publications. poems. These have included everything “People often regard poetry as dauntfrom bars to university halls. He favors ing, for a number of reasons, so when I smaller more intimate spaces such as the Waverly Community House better known as the Comm. “The Comm is a wonderful venue and a place everyone who lives in our area should know.” “I take great pride in the fact that my TS_CNG/SUBURBAN/PAGES [S01] | 11/02/16
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Tom Blomain’s collection of poems is called “Yellow Trophies.”
readings generally ellicit some sort of reaction from audiences — generally positive and favorable, sometimes visceral,” he explained. “Some of my poetry is political and therefore may hit an an adversarial nerve occasionally. I like my reading to border on stand up comedy. The worst thing for a poet is to have people have a reading and be unaffected. That doesn’t really happen to me.” He’s looking forward to his upcoming
reading and book signing at the Waverly Community House. “It will be a great night out, to visit the Comm and be involved in something unique,” he said. “I will be reading primarily from my recent book “Yellow Trophies,” that was published last month. I like to engage the audience and talk in between. Then there is a reception with an opportunity for people to talk and mingle.”