Joan Burt Reads Poetry At Teatro Paraguas

Teatro Paraguas is pleased to present a book launch and poetry reading by Joan Burt, reading from her new book Belle's Ragged Army, published this year by Red Mountain Press.

Joan Burt's book is an intimate portrait of the memorable Belle and her eccentric, exceptional family. The poet's language recreates the robust complexity of her Montana life. It is a poignant glimpse of Belle's universe. The poems introduce us to a spectacle of vivid characters moving across this landscape. Burt's language and intensely remembered observation brings us directly to this surreal, gorgeously evoked landscape. A debut collection of effervescent, unforgettable poems, awarded the Red Mountain Discovery Prize for a first book.

Joan Burt grew up in Montana and received her degree in Fine Art from Montana State University. Her poetry has appeared in a variety of literary journals, including The Santa Fe Literary Review and Bosque Magazine. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2002, and facing the limitations that her illness presented, she made a successful transition from painting to poetry: "Poetry is, so far, the only reason that works for me." Joan lives in Santa Fe with her dog Mazey and her life-partner Bill.

Joan Burt's brilliant first book is filled with mementos, redolent with memories "freeing the sweetness of old ghosts." Here's her mother, Belle, flamboyant and mean. Joe with tattoos on his fingers, RENT FOOD. Howard's "Living Landscape," a "Hamm's Beer waterfall for the kitchen." Aunt Mattie's generous kitchen table, "only red zinnias on her walkways." Steve, her gone brother.

The reading takes place at Teatro Paraguas on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 5:00pm. Teatro Paraguas is located at 3205 Calle Marie in Santa Fe.

This project is made possible in part by a grant from the Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry.