Talking With Poets: Brooke Kolcow & Bob Sharkey at Poets Speak Loud

Thom Francis introduces us to Brooke Kolcow & Bob Sharkey shared their work at the Poets Speak Loud open mic at McGeary’s on November 27, 2017.

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Poets Speak Loud was a monthly poetry open mic that began in January 2005 at The Lark Tavern in Albany. The series was held on the last Monday of each month to carry on a tradition that was started by the great Tom Nattell in the late ’80s and 90s at the QE2.

After a fire in April 2010 that closed the venue, the open mic moved to McGeary’s downtown where it continued until the COVID-19 pandemic ended its run.

On November 27, 2017, poets gathered on the last Monday of the month in the back room of McGeary’s for another lively open mic hosted by Mary Panza.

Today we will hear from two poets who stepped up to the mic that night – B Kolcow and Bob Sharkey.

First Brooke Kolcow takes the stage reading “Cheesy Love Poem While Meeting His Family” and “What Will You Do with an MFA?” Brooke “B” Kolcow is a queer trans writer, artist, and editor currently living in Buffalo, NY. They work in prose, poetry, digital and traditional art, performance, and mixed media. B Kolcow currently adjuncts in WNY and they are also the Deputy Editor and Snack Mechanic for Taco Bell Quarterly.

Then we hear from Bob Sharkey who shares “After ODing on Peanut M&Ms during Game 6.”

Bob Sharkey writes poetry and short fiction. He is a long-time board member of the Writers Guild serving in many capacities including Treasurer and Membership. Bob is the editor of the annual Stephen A. DiBiase poetry contest and its website: dibiasepoetry.com