Dear all, thanks for coming to Pope House on Wednesday for the first “Handsome Young Men Reading” show. The turnout really impressed the owner. I think our bartender made a pretty penny, too. It feels good that I can contribute to the lifeblood of my neighborhood. We’ve decided to return to Pope House for the next show in October, but I won’t spoil which poet the boys will be reading. He’s one of my all time favorite writers, a massive influence on my work.

I said to the crowd beforehand that we were going to investigate whether these works matter to our generation, having seen what we’ve seen, facing what we are facing. Rilke began the “Duino” series in 1912, but was interrupted by the war. When he finally started working on it again, he took all that violence and gave it to the angels. I think most would agree that Noname, Aidan, Jesse, Frankie, Patrick, Jules, Thom, August, Tyler, and Daniel each found something true in their respective elegies. There were some hardcore Rilke fanatics in the audience, and I received rave reviews on behalf of my gallant gentlemen.

It’s fun to make a space where the entire spectrum and what we call manhood can be highlighted. There’s something beautiful about having cis and trans readers engage together with the “male canon.” It’s hard to explain. There’s a purity to it. It was not, however, by any means, a sexless night. I think multiple people might have met their future husbands. That’s the power of poetry.

Are you a handsome young man* who has a desire for the spotlight? Get in touch.

Yours romantically,
Judy Thorn

*The terms “young” and “man” are open to interpretation.