What the 24-Hour Poetry Reading Is

Nationally recognized poet and Columbus, Ohio poetry organizer Scott Woods had been toying with the idea of putting on a 24-hour showcase of local poets for years. "Ever since I helped out with a 24-hour reading at the National Poetry Slam in Seattle back in 2001, the idea of marathon art intrigued me," Woods said. "I thought it would be a great way to elevate an awareness of poetry in Columbus."

As he gave the concept more thought, however, the appeal to do a show that had never been attempted before appealed to him more. "Doing a 24-hour open mic with multiple poets would be new for Columbus, but not the larger national poetry community. I wanted to do something that would have a wide-ranging effect on the art form and the audiences that the art form might attract. Poetry is so much more versatile an art form than it gets credit for."

As an employee of the Columbus Metropolitan Library for over 13 years, the lesson regarding the power of literacy isn't lost on Woods. "Reading is one of the most powerful things you can learn to do. The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more power you can weild over your life. I can't dribble a basketball to save my life, but I can have a converstaion with anyone on almost anything, and that gives me access to a large worldview, and that gives me more control over my life. More than most people exercise, that's for sure." It is this philosophy that drove Woods to name the Columbus Literacy Council as the primary recipient of monies raised from the event.

Taking a weekend off from a hectic touring schedule to make the first-ever attempt, Woods is excited about the challenge. "If I see a mountain, I just have to climb it. I think there are lots of messages and lessons to be taken away from this adventure. It's mostly a matter of will power and a belief in what I'm doing. There's no template to tell you how to do this and not keel over onstage, so I'm as excited about the trying as I am about the doing. If I lose my voice, I'll keep reading."

The 2007 version of the 24-hour feature begins at 8:00 pm, March 31 and will run until 8:00 pm, April 1.

Scott's website: www.blackair.org
Scott's email: sewoods1@yahoo.com
Photo: Louise Robertson

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