Poet and painter Paul Erlandson reads his work at the Society of Classical Poets’ in-person Poetry Symposium held in Naperville, Illinois on September 5-6, 2025:
Video created by Andrew Benson Brown.
Paul, both poems were entrancing for their sensitive treatment of aging in the first poem and eventual loss of beauty…
Thank you, Adam. Very kind.
Hello again, Roy! Thank you for your comment. I'm afraid I have to agree with your last remark. As Robert…
Hello Margaret. Thank you for your kind comment. These are indeed troubling times, but I think you over there are…
The first two lines are masterful, with all the sonority of classic English verse. I also very much enjoy your…
Thanks for posting this!
Paul, I would place you equal in poetic capability to your mate. Your broad range of subjects was fascinating from your love of sharing your automobile appreciation and revelation of Cynthia’s attraction to birds, to your personal fight to conquer alcoholic addiction and attendance at Anglican church services, whether of the early short kind or the longer music driven devotional ones. A poet and a painter place you firmly in both the artistic and articulate category that is rare. You have blessed us with sincere poems of a personal nature, and we are made the richer by listening to your poems and reading them.
I agree, Roy! I’ve always told him that his poems are excellent; he just doesn’t spend as much time writing as I do because his main passion is painting. Thank you for appreciating his writing! (and your kind comments on some of mine)
Thank you for your very kind comments on my poems, Roy! They are very much appreciated.
I am enjoying reading your volume, “Lady of Light: Awaiting Her Knight”.
Bless you, Paul. I am surprised you found one of my books and greatly appreciate you telling me you are enjoying it.
Paul, there is so much beauty and wisdom in the raw honesty of your admirably crafted poetry that my heart and my mind were held captive for the duration of your reading… and beyond. Thank you!
That is very kind of you to say, Susan! Your poetry always stuns and amazes me. So, I cherish your comments on my poems all the more!!
I enjoyed the skill, the range and the honesty of your poetry, Paul.
Tattoos are not always seen in the best of light on the site, so I was especially glad to see and hear a positive poem on that subject.
Thank you, Paul.
Tattoos and tattoo culture interest me very much.
The simplest way to put it would be to say that this was a good reading of some great poems. The poet should listen to his wife.
Thank you.
Yes, always!
As I thought at the time, and told you not long after, Paul, these poems give an excellent perspective of your range in style and subject, as well as your ability to put verse together logically yet impressively. Good testimonial to your skill in your “second” art. Thanks to you for planning the order of the reading, and to Andrew for making the video to remember it by.
Thank you very kindly for your words, Margaret!
It was fabulous to meet you and speak with you at the Symposium back in September!!
Good readings Paul – and brave to discuss your erstwhile addiction like this. Great to hear the healing power of poetry.
Thank you, James.