Magic City Reading Series: January 9th Gathering Recap
Last Thursday evening, Laura Secord, Tania De’Shawn, Salaam Green, and I hosted the January Magic City Reading Series gathering in my living room. Salaam led a beautiful conversation with poets Ashley M. Jones, Jermaine Thompson, and Matthew Layne that explored themes of family, memory, grief, and belonging. Attendees also had opportunities to ask questions and contribute to the discussion. The intimate setting allowed for genuine connection as each poet shared three poems over the course of the evening.
The first round of poems centered on family relationships, particularly fathers. Ashley shared a tender piece about morning coffee moments between her parents, Matthew offered a poem about wild horses and father-loss, and Jermaine read "How to Hold Catfish," weaving together memories of his father and fishing.
The conversation naturally flowed between readings, with poets and audience members noting how these works spoke to both loneliness and connection.
As the evening progressed, the poems deepened into explorations of home, identity, and sacred spaces. Matthew shared work about his childhood library, Ashley delivered a powerful piece about redefining home, and Jermaine offered a poem about nature and memory.
Salaam's thoughtful (and humorous!) facilitation helped draw out connections between the works, creating a tapestry of shared experience and meaning.
The gathering embodied everything the other hosts and I hope for in Belonging through Art events—genuine conversation, deep listening, and moments of both laughter and profound reflection. As several attendees noted, there was a palpable sense of spirit in the room, a reminder of how poetry can bring us together and help us feel less alone. The evening closed with a sense of having experienced true communion through art.
The next Magic City Reading Series will be on Thursday, February 13 from 6:30-8 p.m. Registration is required. Save your spot here.
Many thanks to:
—All of the poets and participants who came together last week for poetry and conversation
—Our partner Church Street Coffee & Books for providing decaf coffee, Breakup Cookies, and Lemon Poppyseed Bites for the event, for giving gift cards and tea to the poets, and for featuring books by Magic City Reading Series poets in their shop
—Image journal for providing a copy of their latest issue to everyone who attended. (Also— anyone in the Birmingham area is welcome to our first Image Reading Group on Sunday, January 26. More details below!)
Enjoy the photos below from our lovely evening and peruse important announcements from those present!
Thanks for reading!
—Charlotte
Announcements
4. The first gathering of the Birmingham Chapter of the Image Reading Group will meet on the afternoon of Sunday, January 26 from 3-4:15. More information will be posted by Friday, January 17. If you’d like to go ahead and sign up for this free even, please email Charlotte at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com
5. The Magic City Poetry Festival 2025 Preview is out, and here’s what’s included so far. Be sure to save these dates!
April 1: Poetry Matters at the Hoover Public Library
April 4: Old Enough featuring Jacqueline Trimble and Jeanie Thompson at the O’Neal Library
April 10: Poetry Salon with Belonging through Art
April 12: Poetry at the Museum of Art
To Be Scheduled: Poetry at the Monument
