Friday night was the last night for my friend Maurice aka the Invisable Man to host poetry at Legacy Books and Cafe. Maurice had been the only host i had known since going to Legacy...the brother was: funny, silly, witty, friendly and a great host. he and i went from: just giving the nod...to whats up...to let me get ya number. we were never best buddies or anything like that but we had mutual respect for each other. during our time, we shared everything from music to poetry and had discussions on whatever popped into our minds.
it was a great a send off for him too. i normally have to work Friday nights but i was lucky enough to work the early shift and be able to attend. the place was packed beyond packed! it was so packed that people were standing up (thats the power of Maurice). i lot of the "old" crew showed up; spit poems, made jokes and acted a fool. it felt like the 'Legacy' of old....you could feel the love floating through the air. the poetry ended with Maurice doing a poem/song called "hot steamy grits" with the band playing and EVERYONE singing alonging (should have had a camcorder). that moment have been worthy of YOUTUBE.
Afterward, some of us hung around to listen to music, dance, converse and say final goodbye's. it was a beautiful thing. so, the brother is headed off to the east coast to seek fortune and fame...or just to get away from st.louis.
i dont know if the place will be the same without him.....
6 comments:
I remember Maurice from when I went to Legacy quite a while ago. He was witty and charming. There was one guy who did a piece that was beyond comprehension...and not in a good way, but in broke ass rapper kinda way. You could see as he watched he was like "Uh, what the hell." And he got on the stage and thanked the man for sharing his words...despite the fact everyone else in the audience was like "uh what the hell"
He welcomed me when he saw me sitting...that for real was no mixed crowd so I stuck out. He is pretty damn fine too, if I do say so myself.
It's hard I think when a foundation of your poetry outlet leaves it...temporarily or otherwise. I'm sure it will change. Now, all we gotta do is get you working the early shift all the time and you might be able to resucitate some life into the scene up there. ;)
I met him, and spoke to him during the week of the St. Louis Nats. Even read at legacy with a few other Texas Poets. Funny, I still get the e-mails, as he convinced me to sign the e-mail distro... When you coming back to texas? Happy T day! Please don't charge my lack of comments to my heart... Been busy trying to get a new position!
(singing aaliyah... new position, new position...ok, ok)
yeah, neo does the whole 'new host' thing e'er year, it's cool but it kinda sux....losin' kim this year...dang...but she'll be in the house at least!
happy turkey day copa! take care ;-)
while the transistions can suck, they can definitely be a good thing. i like that neo-soul rotates hosts every year. not only does it introduce you to a new host (and ALL that means), it gives you that much more excitement with the new year. i don't know maurice, so i can't tell you to "cheer up" about him leaving. but i do hope that you'll share the same love that you have for him with the new host too!!!!
he sounds like he's one hell of a guy. It's nice to have known someone who brings so much warmth and inspiration to your life.
coooooooooooo
paaaaaaaaaaaaa
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