Arcata Farmers Market, Photo: Sharon Letts
In June of 2009, Jacqueline Suskin went to a sidewalk barbecue in Oakland, CA. It was here, among the burnt hot dogs and cold tempeh, that she met the poet Zachary Houston. A few days earlier Jacqueline had heard of this special man, a poet who takes his typewriter to markets and street-fairs to create on-the-spot verse for the masses. After talking for hours about everything and anything, the two decided to work together and thus, Jacqueline became devoted to Poem Store.
With a sign attached to the front of her Royal, stating 'Your Subject, Your Price,' she set out along the west coast to spread her words, to offer an outlet for those in need, and to experience the serious magic that comes along with such a craft.
Since this fine beginning, Jacqueline has written countless poems, met incredible folks, and still the wonders continue with ongoing communication between her and her customers.
"The best part about the Poem Store is the correspondence afterwards, the emails I get from customers thanking me for my work, for connecting with them and capturing something they couldn't quite voice."
Poem Store has proven to be not only a gift for lovers of poetry, but an enriching exercise for the poet, who plans to keep up shop until all ink ribbons run out and the keys cease to tap.
2009 Oregon Country Fair, Photo: Timothy Bartling