Tabletop Poems

This book opens a door into a part of Caffè Lena that is too often overlooked. Best known as a historic folk music coffeehouse in Saratoga Springs, NY, the Caffè's monthly gathering of poets might seem like a sidebar to the main event. It is not. With its dedicated regulars, atmosphere of mutual support and brave honesty, Poetry Open Mic reveals the fundamental qualities of a creative community. These are the sorts who have maintained Caffe Lena as an oasis of artistry and inclusion for more than 60 years. – Sarah Craig Since the first Wednesday of the month poetry reading series began at Caffè Lena in the summer of 2003, hundreds of poets have felt the special joy of sharing their art from the Caffè Lena stage. Featured poets have stopped on their travels from across the country – California, Oregon, Oklahoma, Colorado. We've been graced with more regional poets from the Northeast - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont and of course, from across New York. Our local poets are the backbone of the series, showing up every month to hear new and familiar voices, buy new books and add their own crafted words to the show. We couldn't have made the series work for 20 years without local, established writers stepping up to the stage to share their work on poetry night. There was Joseph Bruchac (current Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate) agreeing to feature in the first year as we were just getting established. In subsequent years, poets like Barbara Ungar, Carolyn Forche, April Bernard and Jay Rogoff, to name a very few, added to our list of inspiring writers.

This book opens a door into a part of Caffè Lena that is too often overlooked. Best known as a historic folk music coffeehouse in Saratoga Springs, NY, the Caffè's monthly gathering of poets might seem like a sidebar to the main event. It is not. With its dedicated regulars, atmosphere of mutual support and brave honesty, Poetry Open Mic reveals the fundamental qualities of a creative community. These are the sorts who have maintained Caffe Lena as an oasis of artistry and inclusion for more than 60 years. – Sarah Craig Since the first Wednesday of the month poetry reading series began at Caffè Lena in the summer of 2003, hundreds of poets have felt the special joy of sharing their art from the Caffè Lena stage. Featured poets have stopped on their travels from across the country – California, Oregon, Oklahoma, Colorado. We've been graced with more regional poets from the Northeast - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont and of course, from across New York. Our local poets are the backbone of the series, showing up every month to hear new and familiar voices, buy new books and add their own crafted words to the show. We couldn't have made the series work for 20 years without local, established writers stepping up to the stage to share their work on poetry night. There was Joseph Bruchac (current Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate) agreeing to feature in the first year as we were just getting established. In subsequent years, poets like Barbara Ungar, Carolyn Forche, April Bernard and Jay Rogoff, to name a very few, added to our list of inspiring writers.

Named the 2023-2025 Poet Laureate of Saratoga Springs, NY. An ambassador for poetry, the Poet Laureate is expected to promote citizens' awareness of poetry as well as heighten appreciation of the art. Joe is a prolific poet and author, who has had over 180 books published.