The 2nd Annual Philomenian – a celebration of the life and poetry of Venice’s late poet laureate, Philomene Long – attracted some of the best poets in the area to Beyond Baroque, August 21.

Among those reading Long’s poetry, or their own works about her, were Wanda Coleman, Mariana Dietl, Susan Hayden, Hillary Kaye, Pegarty Long, Harry Northrup, Jim Smith and Mariano Zaro. Long’s late husband, and poet, John Thomas, was heard on tape.

Philomene’s twin sister, filmmaker Pegarty Long, showed several video clips of the poet, which included her reading her poetry, nursing baby pigeons and a retrospective of her life.

The event fell on the second anniversary of Long’s death in her longtime residence, the Paloma Apartments. The twins had celebrated their birthday just four days previously.

A new website about Philomene Long is at www.philomenelong.com. Past issues of the Beachhead, including a memorial issue dated September 2007, contain tributes and the text of some of her poems and can be found online.

By press time, a video of the event should be posted on YouTube. In addition, Beyond Baroque’s bookstore at 681 Venice Blvd. has several of her books for sale.