Memorial Poetry Reading for Charlie Pratt

A memorial poetry reading for Charlie Pratt will be held in Exeter this month.

Pratt, a local poet who ran the Apple Annie farm in Brentwood with his wife, Joan, died in May. He was 76.

Water Street Bookstore is hosting a poetry reading in his honor on Wed., Oct. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is cosponsored by the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program. It will also feature Kit Cornell, an artist who collaborated with Pratt.

Pratt published four books, including "From the Box Marked 'Some Are Missing.'" Some of the poems were inspired by his apple orchard. You can watch Pratt read in the YouTube clip at right.

Pratt won several awards for his books, which are still sold at Water Street Bookstore.

The Oct. 17 program will begin with former Portsmouth Poet Laureate John Perrault, who will talk about the project he initiated that encouraged visual artists and poets to join in making one piece of art. Next, Cornell will speak about the collaborative process she and Charlie shared.

Poems will be read by Charlie’s friends John Perrault, Marie Harris, Mimi White, and Katie Towler. Finally, Charlie's wife, Joan, will read some of Charlie’s poetry.

Charlie was an instructor in English at Phillips Exeter Academy for 20 years. He and his wife, Joan, owned Apple Annie in Brentwood for 27 years.