#deeringestate

A Shot of Broadsides, Nightride(s) and Butterflies

Clayre Benzadon vectorizes poet Brian Clifton and artist David Bernardy’s “Nightride(s)” at the local Starbucks next to Deering Estate, an environmental, archaeological and historic preserve in Miami, FL, where she also vectorizes poet Nicole Calihan and artist Amy Meissner’s “Butterfly Farm”.

I couldn’t sleep last night.

This week had been the busiest for me in a long time, an especially productive one after a summer that felt like would never end. Fed up by many unresponsive online job applications, I went in person to turn in my resume to the manager of a coffee shop right near my house. I felt a lot less anxious than I had after submitting my cover letter to an independent bookstore, where the manager stared at me with hard eyes the whole time. I did not belong there. I nervously left, uncomfortable, awkward, and upset at myself.

Just in time though, I received a call from the coffee store. The interview was a breeze. I would begin to learn how to handle a luxury I greatly valued and consumed: coffee, and not simply coffee. Cuban coffee coladas, ristrettos, brews from all over the world.

“Nightride(s)” felt like the perfect kind of broadside that spoke to me at this point in time, the psychology behind the poem, how restlessness and night become personified: “The night runs its tongue / all over itself.”

But I also thought Starbucks would be the perfect place to post the broadside. The decently sized public place would allow the opportunity for a broad audience to at least notice it. After all, most people who go to coffee shops are most likely tired and need a boost of energy, and the bright orange color does just that.

The Starbucks is a five-minute walk from Deering Estate, a beautiful historic site and park. My sister and I walked over there after I finished the last sip of my espresso. On our walk to the dock, the most symbolic thing occurred: I by chance had chosen to print out “Butterfly Farm”  before I left the house. I held it in my hands, looking for the best place to prop the broadside. Suddenly, butterflies appeared right in front of us, everywhere!

(I had taped the broadside on to the nearest pole close to the dock, but unfortunately, the wind almost blew it away-so I tried to fold it over until stayed on, although I don't know if it's still there! There weren’t that many people there [there usually aren't but it was suprising, considering it was a Saturday]...)

Clayre Benzadon, Broadsided Press’s Tumblr editor, is a recent graduate of Brandeis University with a B.A in Psychology and Creative Writing. She has been the editor-in-chief for Laurel Moon, the school’s oldest literary magazine, and has also been published by Rat’s Ass Review, The Acentos Review, Merrimack Review, and Triadae Magazine. In addition, she has written for her school magazine as well as Linkedin’s student platform. Last year, she had the opportunity of attending The Ashbery Home School, a week-long writing workshop/conference in Miami.

Self-Directed Practice - Final

Titled:  Fortezza ( Fortress )  ,2022

Titled:  Stone House   ,2022

Titled: Portico di Carlo ( Charles’ portico ),2022

Medium:  Cardboard, recycled artist paper, Brown paper, Coffee, Gesso, Promarker, wood, black ,Ink,  Black and White ballpoint pen.