The Philosopher’s Wife
(2011)

Emily Vogel

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
7pm – 8pm

Book Reading and Signing

"From my first encounter with them I have been struck by the ferocity of clarity and understatement with which Vogel shapes and controls and, in fact, intensifies the impact of these splendidly constructed poems. They bring to mind Berryman's enigmatically simple phrase, "the freedom of the poet. "I'm startled again and again by their authenticity, distinctiveness of voice, and the authority of tone, the dark fun, the sexiness and delightful adventurousness they display. One hardly knows what to expect next in one of her poems, but can be sure it will be both startling and, somehow, symmetrically inevitable. It is so heartening to know there is one more serious young poet out there-there are so very few." ~Franz Wright, 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry

Emily Vogel, in The Philosopher's Wife, speaks to discovery. Discovery of the self, discovery of the other, and what the comingling of the two can do to create more than the sum of their parts. These poems speak to possibilities, revealing the mysteries of enchantment, the too-often fleeting moment of adoration that accompanies found love. If not first love, then love in that elevated state of being one experiences upon realizing this "other" that what one hopes for, lives for, and dies for. A love we imagine to be true and lasting, though experience tells us that is not always so. The cathedral of marriage here is not binding; there is no obligation, no forced responsibility. While not all things will be true or come true, adrenaline pulses just below the surface in the "giddiness of grass" the "attenuated light of the wakeful mind," and for a while it is in fact all true. ~Michael Foldes

The Africa House Reading Series engages authors in a discussion about their writing, inspirations, creative processes, themes, and the ways they deal with and resolve issues as they write. They may also give a preview of their new and forthcoming projects, respond to questions about what they see as their legacy, what they hope readers will take away from their books, and how their writing will be preserved for future generation. In short, it is a forum for them to discuss their philosophy of life and creativity. After the reading and discussion with the audience, the authors will sign their books.

The Series is sponsored by Ojedi, AfricaResource, and River Read Books (2010), and Binghamton Center for Writers, State University of New York (2010). Sponsors are welcome.

Ethiopia: The Origin of Coffee

Adapted from Selamta, The In-Flight Magazine of Ethiopian Airlines

Edited By Professor Nkiru Nzegwu

Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, is the original home of the coffee (arabica) plant. Kaffa, the province in the south-western highlands where they first blossomed, gave its name to coffee. The formal cultivation and use of coffee as a beverage began early in the 9th century. Prior to that, coffee trees grew wild in the forests of Kaffa, and may in the region were familiar with the berries and the drink. According to Ethiopia’s ancient history, an Abyssinian goatherd, Kaldi, who lived around AD 850, discovered coffee. He observed his goats prancing excitedly and bleating loudly after chewing the bright red berries that grew on some green bushes nearby. Kaldi tried a few berries himself, and soon felt a sense of elation. He filled his pockets with the berries and ran home to announce his discovery. At his wife’s suggestion, he took the berries to the Monks in the monastery near Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile River.

Africa House is a beautifully restored 6500 sq ft multipurpose, multidimensional site for art, culture and education focusing on Africa and the African diaspora is located in the historic Village of Endicott in upstate New York, the birthplace of IBM. Located at 50 Washington Avenue, Endicott, NY,  Africa House is 10 minutes from the city of Binghamton, and just three hours from New York City.