[APPLAUSE]
Hello.
Thank you all for coming.
Thank you for inviting me.
Thank you for that, rather, to me,
on the spot reading the introduction.
[LAUGHTER]
And so I'm on this tour now.
The book just came out in February,
and so it's a whole new world of reading from a book
instead of from little loose pieces of paper,
and also hearing people introduce your work,
that it's kind of out there in the world.
And knowing that it's being received
as it was meant to be received is really heartwarming,
so thank you.
Speaking of receptions, I'm going to start with a poem
about one of my favorite jazz singers, who-- it was because
of the microphone that we have Billie Holiday,
and the way we know her.
Her voice was actually quite quiet,
and the microphone allowed her to be amplified.
So that sort of sultry, right up to the mic singing, of course,
was actually a necessity.
But thank goodness we have it as we do.
"Black Spoon."
"Baby, you were meant to be home.
You were meant to be what I ain't never known.
Blue flame done melted my song.
And you won't tell me if you'll risk
the curse between my thighs, won't give me more than
the music of your fingers strumming my slip's strap.
Your chest sings to my heart's ear,
while your wicked wisdom works its secret privilege.
But you won't give me more than your body, tuned
for walking out my door.
Hush now.
I'm the one done let you in.
Here's what I've been cooking, what I scored before you came.
You brought me nothing I ain't already know.
I'm bright as a horn.
Listen, I'll blow you down."
[SOFT LAUGHTER]