Why A Page Dedicated To
The Poetry of James Broughton?
I've loved James Broughton's poetry for a few years now.
I remember reading Mark Thompson's interview with him in
Gay Soul a few years back. Broughton's sense of soul inspired me to
search for a collection of his poetry and a few months later I did just that.
Special Deliveries was a great introduction to an impressive
and inspirational body of work. Broughton's poetry serves as a
holy energetic blueprint for living. Imagine my shock and disappointment
when I was unable to locate a website to this incredible poet.
So, I felt the need to take on the task to spread the word about this great poet.
I wrote to the "Big Joy" (as he was known by many) when I was visiting the small town he lived in. Actually I found his address in the phone book and searched out his house. Drove out there and couldn't bring myself to intrude on him. So, I left a small note in his mailbox. Something to the effect of, "please forgive my chickenshittedness at not saying hello in person, but I love your work." Anyway, imagine my surprise at getting a note from him a few days later. He was as gracious, kind and inspiring as I imagined he would be.A few months later when I had this website up (circa 1996) I sent him a note with the URL and an enclosed poem I'd written to celebrate the anniversary of my own "coming out." He replied with a nice note a few weeks later thanking me for the poem. No mention of the website, but I figured he had more important things to do. :-)
I received another card in the mail dated June 4, 1997. He wrote:
Dear one,
That long internet number you gave me
yielded a great surprise for me.
Am I to thank you for such a glowing
message? If so, I bless your good
heart and send you affectionate
blessings. Persevere!
James Broughton
He is gone now, in the corporeal sense. But, I often think about the ways in which his writings, so clear and filled with joy and love, live on through everyone who feels bloodrush to be alive and free and capable of such open-eyed, open-hearted being.
I believe that is his continual gift to each of us in his poetry.
Back to
A Man In Full Flower:
The Poetry of James Broughton
"A MAN IN FULL FLOWER:
THE POETRY OF JAMES BROUGHTON"
Created and Maintained by:
Poeta Cubano, Chicago - Illinois - USA
