Over the last couple of years you may have observed Henry David Goldkamp working at his makeshift office, complete with Oriental rug, composing poetry on an manual typewriter by the Maryland Plaza fountain (read earlier blog post here). His latest project, What the Hell is Saint Louis Thinking, an attempt to get St. Louisans to express what's on their minds via typewriters, launched the first of August. To promote participation he has placed typewriters in 30 different
venues around St. Louis, including two in the neighborhood, at 10denza (44 Maryland Plaza) and Libby's (4742 McPherson).
Henry wants participants to stop in one of the thirty locations during the month of August and type out some thoughts, a poem,
or whatever is on one's mind—maybe multiple times. He'll gather all
the musings together and hopes someday soon to publish the collection in a book.
The launch has created quite a buzz in the local media and Henry's been in demand, appearing on KSDK, KDHX, and on KWMU, the local NPR station. I've included a link (here) to an interview by Jean Ponzi, the host of KDHX's Earthworms' program. She first met Henry after attending an opening at the Philip Slein Gallery when Henry's Fresh Poetry Ink was set up beside Left Bank Books for July's Local Social event.
When I stopped in 10denza on Thursday, I took a photo of the typewriter placed on a tall box built by Henry. I tried the typewriter out but discovered it was much harder to push down on the keys than I remember, and harder still to think of what to write. It will take some practice, so I'll have to gather my thoughts and go back another day. And of course you can't erase, so this is free-form composing at its best. What the Hell is Saint Louis Thinking ends August 31.
Friday evening, August 9, you'll find Henry composing poetry on Euclid & McPherson as part of August's Local Social event. Both 10denza and Libby's will be open too, so you can be thinking about what you want to say and take the opportunity to participate then.
Henry David Goldkamp, freshpoetryink.com