Artists bond over words of wisdom

Monthly open mic at library allows them to share poetry and prose


Jay Primiano, left, and James Geary founded the monthly poetry readings at the library after attending similar events in Westerly. On the fourth Thursday of every month, poets are encouraged to share their work with other writers.

Jay Primiano, left, and James Geary founded the monthly poetry readings at the library after attending similar events in Westerly. On the fourth Thursday of every month, poets are encouraged to share their work with other writers.

What has the power to unite cows, Swiss army knives and license plates?

In Jamestown, the answer is poetry.

Led by two local authors, Melrose Avenue’s Jay Primiano and Shamrock Court’s James Geary, the Sydney L. Wright Museum has been transformed into a sounding board for poets who want to share their work. The open mic is hosted by the library every fourth Thursday of the month.

Primiano, whose debut novel “Swim that Rock” was published in 2014, conceived the idea after Geary returned stateside from Thailand. The men, who had been attending poetry readings at Westerly’s Savoy Bookstore, thought a similar event would thrive on Conanciut Island because of its artistic community.

“It made sense that we’d take advantage of the creativity that’s right here in our own town,” Primiano said.

Although the inaugural event in February was during a snowstorm, a dozen poets braved the weather to present their work. Following that installment, the program has grown in popularity, attracting writers from Providence to Westerly. So far, the largest turnout was when 19 poets read their work during the April session.

“It’s a powerful experience,” Primiano said.

According to Primiano, while the opportunity to share their work gets writers through the door, it is the camaraderie that keeps them coming back. Personally, it has motivated Primiano to write more poetry.

“It’s not like any other night of the month for me,” he said. “I look forward to this.”

The program, which lasts roughly two hours, allows writers to read two poems or proses in front of an audience. Short stories also are welcomed. Because of the causal setting, listeners are encouraged to offer feedback to the readers, whether constructive criticism or praise.

“There’s a little opportunity for reaction,” Primiano said. “Most of the poetry programs that I’ve been to, the poems aren’t discussed much. It’s just an opportunity to present. It’s not a critique of any sort, but we do take the opportunity to applaud those who presented something we really love.”

During the June installment, six writers presented their work: Primiano, Geary, Richard Emory, Emil Jarczynski, Ralph Klingbeil and Hallie St. Onge. Primiano also read a poem by Westerly writer Stephen Dobyns.

Primiano recited his poem about Windmist Farm’s Belted Galloway cattle, and also read a semi-autobiographical prose about a childhood experience. Primiano has written poems specifically for the event, along with reading work from his past.

“What brings great joy to me is that I can share with friends and people I trust to listen,” he said.

After Primiano, Geary recited two sections of an epic poem that was inspired by Daoism, a traditional Chinese philosophy that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao.

Following the organizers, Emory read a poem that he had been revising, and sought feedback from members about the changes he had made. Klingbeil, a Conanicus Avenue resident, then introduced a poem that he wrote about his attachment to a knife he purchased in Switzerland nearly 30 years ago.

“We probably all have possessions that mean a lot to us,” he said before reading his poem, “and of the five or so things that mean a lot to me that I own, this probably means the most.”

Jarczynski, a Wakefield resident, read a short story about dating a woman who could interpret the deeper meanings of customized license plates. He has crossed the Verrazzano for the monthly meetings since hearing about local sessions in Westerly.

“This group is phenomenal,” Jarczynski said. “Everyone is really serious about what they’re doing, and what they produce is unique and wonderful.”

St. Onge, who moved to Jamestown from Colorado in 2018, shared a selection from her daily writing challenge to craft a poem every day. She said the poetry nights have inspired her to write differently.

“They ignite your mind,” she said about her fellow Thursday poets. “They really create a different space to draw yourself into that you don’t get in normal day-to-day life.”

With his endeavor thriving, Primiano said he has no plans to stop. The meetings, including the next one July 25, will continue for the indefinite future. He hopes the readings continue to be a supportive environment for writers, similar to how the Jamestown Arts Center encourages artists.

“We are on that same mission,” he said, “to support one another with our poetry and artistic endeavors. I think we’ll continue to grow as artists and as a group.”