15 Feb Civics Test by Kevin Thurston
How old are they?
How long have they been here?
Is this person a “new” American?
Can the person you’re picturing be a “new” American?
Why/why not?
Does the American you see believe that people should own any type of gun?
Does the American you see own a gun? Should they?
Are there any types of Americans who shouldn’t?
If they own a gun, what type is it? When was the last time they fired it?
When you think of an American, where do they live?
Do they own a home? Rent?
Do they live in the city? Suburbs? Rural area?
Which part of the United States are they in? Are they in the United States?
Do they live alone?
Who do they live with?
Are they single?
Who are they attracted to?
Describe or draw your American’s partner.
Do they have children?
If so, how many and how old are the children?
Are these children well-behaved?
How would this person be a “better” American?
Do you consider yourself an American?
Does that status satisfy you?
How do you see yourself as the same as the person you described before?
How are you different?
Do the differences bother you?
Do consider being American to be a good thing? Why or why not?
Are you good? Why/why not?
About the Poet
Kevin Thurston is a Buffalo-based writer, conceptual artist, performer, and longtime presence in the Western New York literary scene. Kevin was (with Chris Fritton) the co-founder and co-organizer of the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair from 2006 to 2016. His collaborative book Color Me White (with the late artist and illustrator Mickey Harmon) is known for its witty and provocative engagement with identity and culture. Deeply involved in community and creative exchange, Kevin brings curiosity, humor, and rigor to everything he shares.
Related Event
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- Kevin Thurston will be the featured reader at the next Kenmore Village Improvement Society Open Mic Night curated and hosted by BlazeVOX Books publisher Geoffrey Gatza from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 26th at the KVIS/Made for Good Shop, 7 Warren Avenue (near Delaware Ave.) in Kenmore, NY. Additional reading slots are available. The event is free and open to the public.
The Poem of the Week feature is curated by literary legacy awardee R.D. Pohl.