“Be Holding” tells a story of human connections and gratitude, and Ross Gay shared this journey with the audience at the 2023 Unbound Book Festival.
Poet Ross Gay read his long-form work, “Be Holding” for an audience at Serendipity Salon as part of Columbia’s annual Unbound Book Festival on April 22.
Originally from Ohio, Gay is the author of four poetry books. “Be Holding” is an ode to the Philadelphia 76ers’ Julius Erving and his famous reverse layup during the 1980 NBA finals. More than that, it connects Erving with themes of history, representation and imagination in the stream-of-consciousness-style poem.
Ross Gay recites a poem from his book “Be Holding” during the 2023 Unbound Book Festival at Serendipity Salon and Gallery in Columbia, MO on April 22, 2023. Gay teaches at Indiana University and the low-residency MFA program in Drew University.
Like much of Gay’s other work, including the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award winner “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” and his most recent essay collection, “Inciting Joy,” “Be Holding” explores gratitude and the quest toward happiness.
This year marked Gay’s first appearance at the Unbound Book Festival, where he also spoke at the keynote event at the Missouri Theatre on Friday. Located in the smaller Serendipity Salon, the poetry reading was a more intimate event, with the gallery space crammed with mismatched blue, clear and black folding chairs.
Gay appeared at 5 p.m., setting his bag down in the front row and taking his place on the stage. He wore a black hoodie with the words “YOU BELONG HERE” on the back. He sat between a piano and a light-up tree, smiling out at his audience. Gay mentioned that this was his first time reading “Be Holding” aloud in its entirety since the poem’s initial publication in 2020. Before he began to read, Gay took notice of those standing at the back of the room.
“This is a long-ass poem,” Gay said, beckoning people to sit down.
Attendees of Ross Gay’s Poetry reading take their seats during the 2023 Unbound Book Festival at the Serendipity Salon and Gallery in Columbia, MO on April 22, 2023.
Gay’s delivery of the poem involved fluidly adjusting his pacing and volume to match the emotion of each line. Stanzas flowed with ease, while his comedic timing shined through in the careful pauses for audience laughter and reactions. Occasionally, Gay would even begin to sing a line, breaking out into a notable melody that stood out from the rest of the piece.
“Have you ever decided anything in the air?” Gay asked the audience while delving more into Erving’s impossible shot. He waited for a moment, allowing people to consider. Several sat forward in their seats, craning to hear the next line.
“Be Holding” took Gay an hour to read, but he was able to impart a captivating journey unavailable when simply reading the text alone. Gay’s oratory prowess combined with his poetry to create a moving, delightful performance that echoed the themes found in his work.
Following the reading, audience members were encouraged to visit Skylark Bookshop, where Gay would be available for book signings, along with other authors who appeared at the festival. During his scheduled signing window, Gay reminded several readers of the importance of gratitude and peace.
“In joy, together,” he wrote in the books.
Edited by Savvy Sleevar | ssleevar@themaneater.com
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