[New post] Poetry Friday: I know who I’m NOT voting for – and other things I learned at the state fair, Part XI
Matt Forrest Esenwine posted: " Have I been bringing you these insights and revelations for 11 years now? Indeed, it appears I have! As you may know, I'm the official PA announcer for the local state fair and each year I learn something new or am reminded of a truth somehow. And" Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme
Have I been bringing you these insights and revelations for 11 years now? Indeed, it appears I have!
As you may know, I'm the official PA announcer for the local state fair and each year I learn something new or am reminded of a truth somehow. And I share what I learn here at the ol' Triple-R.
Partial conversations can be surprising. I don't try to listen in on others' conversations, but invariably you're going to hear bits and pieces as you make your way around the fairgrounds. In once case, I heard a man say to his friend, "I'm telling you, this is all happening for a reason!" At first I thought he was talking about prophecy or the End Times, watching all the pieces fall into place as we await the demise of our planet and culture and the installation of a New World Order by the Illuminati. But then he added, "I told him to go to the doctor, but he didn't listen." Oh, that's what he meant.
There are grass-carrying wasps known as..."grass-carrying wasps." I was in the grandstand tower getting ready for the demolition derby when I noticed this little guy. I had never seen a wasp or hornet carrying around a long blade of grass before, nor has I ever seen one sneak down a hole with said grass. Apparently, they're a thing!
3. I know who I won't be voting for. There are actually plenty of folks I know I won't be voting for in the presidential primary - but one name tops the list. The fair has a strict no-politicking rule, insofar as candidates for any positions are not allowed to campaign on the fairgrounds. However, Vivek Ramaswamy's committee paid the fair to be a vendor for two hours, to allow his supporters an opportunity to meet him and ask questions, etc. Which is fine - except for the fact that within minutes of the event beginning, I suddenly had no ability to make announcements over the PA system because my microphone stopped working - and HIS voice began booming across the loudspeakers, through the fairgrounds. Why? Because his sound tech guy hacked our wireless mic frequency! Didn't tell anyone, didn't ask anyone - just went ahead and basically hijacked our sound system. Who does that?? Our audio engineers had no idea what was going on until they figured out what he had done - and then had to re-configure the wireless receiver in order to allow me to continue making my announcements. Not impressed.
4. I saw the World's Saddest Sign. If you're wondering what "Bacon Steak" is, be sure to check out last year's post.
5. Girls rock at demo derbies. Well, this I already knew - but it was great watching a 14-year-old girl win the youth driver division of our annual demolition derby. She was the only girl in a predominantly male-centric event and came away with a big handful of prize money and a trophy!
6. The Tilt-A-Whirl has been around for nearly 100 years. Who knew??
For today's poem, I was going to post an original poem but decided instead to share this, from A Prairie Home Companion:
State Fair Sonnet
I've been to this State Fair about every year Since I was a kid and watched the walleyes In the tank, bought a Veg-a-Matic, felt the sheer drop of the ferris wheel, ate the deep fries, the corndogs, rode the Sky-Ride...
This weekend - tomorrow, Dec. 2, to be precise - it's the Warner (NH) HomeTown Holiday Celebration, an annual downtown event that includes caroling, artists and artisans, local authors, food, a farmers' market, crafts, and more! Inside the Warner Town Hall is the Festival of Trees, plus a Gingerbread Man play and Photos with Santa at 2pm. AND...guess who's going to be at the bookstore! .
If you're in New Hampshire this Saturday (tomorrow) I hope you'll stop by our local indie bookstore!
Thanks for visiting today! If you're looking for more poetry, stop by Anastasia's blog Small Poems for today's complete Poetry Friday roundup where she celebrates a first snow - and a first sale!
~~ SPECIAL SCHOOL VISIT OFFER! ~~
I'm booking author visits for the 2023-24 school year, and would like to fill my schedule as soon as possible, so I can plan out the rest of my year. SO...if you book me for a full-day, in-person school visit ($700, which includes up to 5 presentations) BEFORE 12/31/23, I will take $100 off! (Or 20% off a virtual visit!)Email me now at Matt (at) MattForrest (dot) com!
I love chatting with elementary and middle school classes about writing: why poetry is fun to read and write, the importance of revision, and how imagination and creativity can lead to fantastic careers! My presentations are tailored to fit the needs of the classes and students' ages. One day I might be sharing details of how a picture book like Flashlight Night (Astra Young Readers, 2017) was created; the next, I'll be discussing dinosaur breath or crafting origami sea turtles!
If you or someone you know might be interested in having me visit your school, library,or other organization, please email me at matt(at)mattforrest(dot)com!
Ordering personalized signed copies online? Oh, yes, you can!
You can purchase personally-signed copies of Flashlight Night, (Astra Young Readers, 2017), Don't Ask a Dinosaur (Pow! Kids Books, 2018), and nearly EVERY book or anthology I've been part of!
Just click the cover of whichever book you want and send a comment to the good folks at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner, NH requesting my signature and to whom I should make it out. (alternatively, you can log onto my website and do the same thing) They'll contact me, I'll stop by and sign it, and then they'll ship it! (Plus, you'll be supporting your local bookseller – and won't that make you feel good?)
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