Franswa reading W.C. Williams

Segment #1 of Spring and All

"Spring and All" by William Carlos Williams (New Directions Books 1970, first published in 1923 in Paris with a print run of 300)

"Paterson" By Jim Jarmusch, 2016

Spring and All, is one of my favorite books. I’ve been reading it for a couple of decades now.

Before I discovered the existence of this book, I was reading Paterson, also by W.C. Williams, in the same manner… all the way through at least once a year, sometimes more, and opening it at random throughout the year. I started reading Paterson during my short stint at St. Edward's University where, alas, I forgot to get a degree... and around 15-20 years ago, I started reading Spring and All.

I hope to get back to Paterson someday. Jim Jarmusch’s feature film by the same name, inspired by both the book and the life of William Carlos Williams, is up there on my list of really cool indie films.

Taking inspiration from my friend James McWilliams, I'm finding the courage to record myself... reading Spring and All and sharing my little performance here on Belle-Île-en-Mer.

I will record it by sections over the next few weeks.

James calls his video newsletter Poetry, Ink, Letters and Love. You can find it at: James's Substack. Once there, you’ll be able to listen to him read some cool poems, as well as listen to him talk about his obsession with fountain pens, and writing letters longhand.

James teaches history at the University and writes books as a side hustle. His latest book is coming out soon, it is the biography of the poet Frank Stanford.

On my end, I have no set schedule for the reading of Spring and All. I will record new recordings as I see fit, and as often as I can / care to... until I get through the entire book...

With that in mind, please enjoy!

Note: My MacBookPro won’t let me update iMovie, so no edits! I might have to do multiple shorter segments next time, or find different editing software. Also, I didn’t have the time to figure out how to use the microphones I bought before leaving… which means the GOOD news, is my videos can only get better! At least technically.

Peace, Poetry, and Love!

Franswa
the Celtic Cowboy looking for answers in New Jersey :-)

PS: Is there a poet or a novel you think I should read? Who? What? Let me know!

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