Sad news out of Chicago

[Billy T]

Maria McCray, a Chicago performance poetry legend and slam veteren passed Tuesday afternooon. For those who are not familiar with Maria, she was affectionately known as "Momma", performed in 9 editions of the National Poetry Slam representing Chicago/Green Mill and Chicago/Berwyn. She last competed as a storm poet in Seattle '01 and has a cameo in SlamNation. Maria was a United States Marine, serving during the Vietnam War, occasionally under fire. Maria was a singer, actor, activist, drinking buddy and mentor to many, including myself. Check out her work on www.e-poets.net. I will bring some things to share to WOW this week. I already miss her like breathing.

[simone]

So sorry to hear it, Billy. I'm sorry to have never met her. Sending love to Chicago.

If you like, please get in touch with Mike Henry and/or Christian Drake about some possible memorial ideas at NPS.

[Steve]

I am so sorry to hear this. She and I were "brothers" in arms. How did it happen?

[Scott Woods]

Devastating news.  She was one of the first people I met in Slam, and was VERY supportive of me as an up-and-coming poet.
Please keep us abreast of any memorial arrnagements.

[eireanmfbradley]

Damn.  Maria was one of my favorite people in the community.  Fierce, funny, and inspiring as hell.  My best to Chicago, and my condolences for your (our) loss.

[Steve]

Billy, I missed talking to you at WOWps, so I ask again, how did it happen?

[rachel_mckibbens]

Steve,

She had breast cancer.


Billy, I'm still so shocked and sad. I remember her in Seattle, so luminous. So BIG in her light. When I was at The Encyclopedia Show, I was asked if I knew it, and then I was asked if I'd write her a card. When you made the announcement of her passing at the Brothers Show Their Love mic, it didn't really sink in. I couldn't let it.

I know she is in good company. That's what keeps me smiling.

[Steve]

Thank you, Rachel. I hate that I didn't know.

[Billy T]

Didn't have a chance to reply so thanks, Rachel. There are a handful of us in Chicago that knew she had been battling the disease for a couple of years. Both open mics I host threw benefits for her recently and that was just as the news of the disease taking a turn for the worst had started to get out.

She was properly memorialized at Weeds bar on Monday night.

[Steve]

Thank you, Billy.

[firemanpoet]

Sad news indeed. . . So sorry to hear it.  She left some good in my heart from that Green Mill stage.  RIP Maria.