As poet, book writer and musician Charles Coe reads a poem from his new book, New And Selected Works, his words come across as a random compilation, but as the poem continues on, Coe adds brief pauses in between the sentences that give the listener time to build a deeper understanding. Once the poem comes to a close, a subtle smile grows upon the listener’s face because of the way the poem resonated within their heart.
Coe selected some of his new and old poetry to share with Wayland residents on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Wayland Free Public Library. While Coe mainly read from his new book, he also selected some of his older poems to present to the crowd. New And Selected Works was published in July of 2024, consisting of an array of different subjects such as childhood, romantic interests and family. At the end of the event, Wayland residents had the opportunity to buy Coe’s book.
“I write to learn,” Coe said. “A lot of the poems I start, I don’t say ‘I’m going to write to express this [particular] thing,’ I have an idea and I start writing. [The poem] leads me around, and I discover something in the process of writing the poem. I write a lot about family, I write about conversations I overhear or am part of, [and] I write about things I observe. I’m really a storyteller.”
“If what you say is so,” by Coe: (voice memo)
Coe wrote poetry in high school, but didn’t write for several years after because he wanted to pursue a career in music. After reading Acquainted with the Night in his adult years, a poem written by Robert Frost, he decided to re-dedicate his career to writing poetry.
“I read that poem at a time where I was going through a lot of changes,” Coe said. “I wasn’t sure what was next for me, and I felt a little discombobulated. When I read that poem, the top of my head just blew off because it was exactly how I felt being in that in-between, uncertain state. That’s when I decided that I really wanted to focus on writing poetry.”
Oct. 22 was the first time Coe shared his poetry with Wayland residents. “Arts Wayland,” a local arts organization, puts on different arts events for the community, such as jazz concerts and art classes. Program Manager and Treasurer of Arts Wayland, Robyn Gray, helps, along with other members on the board, organize the events.
“I help facilitate all the different musical acts that we book,” Gray said. “I do all the [public relations] for these events and [I’m] usually [the one] in communication with the artist or vendor. I oversee the whole organization, and make sure it’s running smoothly and as it should.”
A board member of Arts Wayland, JP Ducondi, is a friend of Coe, who helped organize this reading with Gray. Arts Wayland has mainly put on events with music and physical art, but this was the first poetry reading that the board organized.
“It’s our first poetry event, so we’re really excited,” Gray said. “I think it’s great to have that elevated cultural experience where people can actually meet the poet and ask questions, and have a more intimate experience with [Coe’s] work.”
The event began with some opening messages by a librarian and Ducondi, and then followed with Coe’s poetry. Before each poem, Coe would provide either some background or a story that corresponded with what he was about to read. After the poetry reading ended, Coe sang a song that he was planning to perform with his band, the “Cricket Symphony,” on Nov. 12 at Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA called “A Box of Black and Gold.”
“A Box of Black and Gold,” by Coe: (voice memo)
Throughout the entirety of the event, Wayland residents were engaged with Coe’s poems. Once Coe finished reading, he offered attendants the opportunity to ask him questions and discuss the poems.
“I thought Charles Coe [was] phenomenal,” Wayland resident Neil Olmstead said. “I really loved his delivery. I loved the pacing of his poetry and the duration of each poem. I was left wanting more.”