Sacramento Poet Laureate Bob Stanley penned this poem dedicated to James in 2011. Stanley has a new book Miracle Shine and he will be the guest of honor at a book signing on May 27th (7:30pm) at the Sacramento Poetry Center.

Ten Gallon Hat / Giving the World

a man rides out across

the landscape of his soul

into the emptiness of his worlds

and cries

jim

I never knew you

but your words cry out

in a language we all understand

the language of the kid

beaten back

the story we hear as myth

evil stepmother evil stepfather

except it’s not myth

and the kid

fights back

in ways he can

you were a star

a ballplayer who could hit

with the best of them

a writer who worked the edges of the scene

and fought for every game,

every reading

every moment

you fought back to find the peace

that your youth denied you

and songs came

and gave you life

the words

that you wrote for the woman

the words

you wrote for the boy

the words

gave you a life that lasted

longer than the one

you got in your

finally broken body

the old man steps up to the plate

and all the ballplayers snicker

but that over the hill dude

hits one into the seats,

then another

then another

line drives soaring across

the sky

meteors in the day

moving fast

your drive

sails on

and we’re watching today

we’re hearing your words

thanks Jim

for giving the ball a ride

giving the world what you did


Bob Stanley, 2011

Late Peaches

New Poetry Anthology, Late Peaches, Sacramento Poetry Center, 2012 will have a second reading, Saturday, October 20 at the Antiquite Maison Privee, 6:30-9:30.  My poem, Cause of Death: Child Abuse, for James Humphrey (1939-2008) written 5 months after Jim's death, was accepted by the judges to be included along with 115 other poets from the Sacramento area. 


Cause of Death: Child Abuse

No safe-haven
when baby
infant
or
teen

Cause of death: child abuse
camouflaged  by
cardiopulmonary arrest

Didn't believe in suicide

Did believe a miraculous pain remedy out there
able to take lifelong suffering away
preventing accomplishment to become
acclaimed brain surgeon
renowned scientist
award-winning pianist
or
to finish stint with St. Louis Cardinals

Wanted to
live
life
to
fullest!

Fulfill destiny:
be greatest slugger of all time &
build a ranch for abused children life self

Gave as naturally
& easily
from
healthy
broken
heart

“Poetry Reading” As Read By Bob Stanley With The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet

The Sacramento Poetry Center presented a celebration of James Humphrey’s writing and life on November 19, 2011. It was a benefit for The Stanford Home For Children. What a pleasure to hear Sacramento Poet Laureate Bob Stanley improvise with the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet.

Memorial Poetry Reading On Video

See and hear Norma Humphrey during her April 10, 2010, memorial poetry reading for her late husband James Humphrey at Attleboro (Massachusetts) Public Library. Returning to the city where the family lived for nearly 10 years during the 1970s and early ’80s, Norma read for nearly an hour while a small gathering enjoyed hearing selected poems spanning 40 years.

“Argument For Love”-Inspired Reading to be Held at Rhode Island College

On Monday, April 12, Norma Humphrey will feature her late husband’s poems during a celebration of poetry at Rhode Island College in Providence. The nationally-acclaimed poet was a student at RIC during the mid-1970s and regularly gave popular campus poetry readings (often accompanied by his friend, noted folk singer/songwriter/artist Jay Bolotin). “Argument For Love,” a notable reading held November 23, 1974, will be Mrs. Humphrey’s inspiration for the evening. The celebration begins at 6pm in the Unity Center on campus. The event will also feature readings by other poets. Free food and beverages will be available.

Hear the poet read “There Are Words” from the recording Argument For Love.