Ann Elizabeth Carson: The Heart is Where Home Is
Oct 21st in a full Heliconian Hall, Ann Elizabeth Carson read from her fifth work, Laundry Lines: A Memoir in Stories and Poems. Ann’s evocative words reached tendril-like into the audience. She gave voice to “the chilled emptiness of untold stories”, those choked out by secrets, lies and family betrayals. In the midst of the reading, Jana Skarecky began the piano piece composed especially for Laundry Lines. The sound swelled, took on darkness, and then a note of resolution. In both Ann’s words and Jana’s notes, surfaces dug into the heart.
Framing Ann’s reading were Inanna authors Zoe S. Roy and Nasreen Rejvack. In readings from Calls Across the Pacific and Amity, we heard of the pain caused by China’s Cultural Revolution and of the horrors experienced during conflicts in Iran. Inanna’s publisher Luciana Ricciutelli spoke passionately about the platform they provide for diverse voices across the country. Indeed those present experienced powerful, diverse voices who’d arrived at Ann’s conclusion, “The heart is where home is.”
Patrick Hewan’s mellow jazz welcomed the crowd and continued after the readings while an enthusiastic audience mingled and authors signed books. It was another great evening at Heliconian Hall.
Angie Littlefield