For Loisa

a poemoir marking the day of the 40th anniversary of the first poetry reading Mr. Contraptioneer attended, and the first day on which he wrote and read a two poems of his own. He is seen sitting to the right of the door, settled in for a night of remembering and intrigue. Loisa would have been so full of joy

Here they gather, at the base of the North Bend Hotel
The dreamers, the poets, the men and women who write their thoughts down
And read them to others

Together they laugh, they cry, they imagine
Such a surprise to see so many men set aside the stereotypes
to write tender moments, passionate cries and complicated feelings

The women, I admit, I expect it from them
Perhaps in a city of writers and gentlemen, I'd expect it from men too
Our heritage is the sea, the forest, calloused hands, and suspenders

But here, among the rough and rugged, the tender emerges
With poems of crashing waves and battle fields, lost love and love found true
Sad eyes of Labradors and moments we can not recover

Here I am amazed, inspired, and at home
Yet I never would have believed it five years ago if you'd have told me so
Not once did I dream it, expect it, anticipate how it would play, not one time

This night we shared poems in memory of the lovely Loisa
She lived above us, in the North Bend Hotel
A place, now apartments, inhabited by seniors and those who love views

She'd ask for a copy of poems she enjoyed
She made us feel special, important and rare
Then lovely Loisa, her cancer returning, moved in with her son and sent word

Through dying, inspiring and sending her love
Loisa burned brighter, was fearless and calm
She made us all wonder, and gave us all courage, Loisa, dear poet, you sing

Tonight was so special to learn more about you
You'd love to have been here, perhaps you'd have cried
Dear Loisa, rest softly, you're a sparkling thread woven through us tonight