Spellbound by Poetry
we, in one accord
listened ~ hung on every word
our hungry hearts heard
Thursday night’s reading of Awakenings by Clayton Moon in our local coffee shop on the town square to kick off our town’s celebration of National Poetry Month was a heartwarming cross-section of intergenerational bridging that nothing but poetry can build. From teenagers to young adults to middle-agers to seniors, we were all listening in one accord as we hung on every word.
Before I welcomed Clayton to the microphone, I shared the impact of a writing community not only in the writing, but in the day to day living – the motivation to learn new things, to try new things, to notice new things. I shared with those who’d come that I would be sharing poems written by living poets from across the United States during the month of April. I began by sharing a definition poem illuminating our theme of awakenings, written by our friend Fran Haley of North Carolina. I shared each canvas, one at a time, describing how they would hang ladder-style in the window of the Chamber of Commerce with eye hooks and chain once the display was complete. #4 brought smiles, the kind I could tell were deep from within, the knowing satisfaction of a feeling.
Here are some photos of the kickoff event for our town’s poetry celebration.
Clayton, who goes by Boxer for most of us who know him, shared his book, written from the awakening to the brewing of the coffee to the first cup, the second cup, the third cup, and the dregs. His featured poem, The Heart of Nahoo, offered a tribute to retired educator Dr. Dan Dunnahoo, who was our county’s long-time art teacher and who now is the president of the Pike County Arts Council and who restored the coffee shop and preserved its history right down to saving each nail and floorboard.
Ethan was our poet for our February event. He shared from is recently published book Dust. I also wanted to share a couple of photos from his event. We’re blessed to live in a town where authors, poets, and artists stand ready to share their talents with us!
Come visit us in Georgia, have coffee, and read and write with us!
Common Threads 
Kim,
All these photos and snippets of your kickoff event are incredible. You should be very proud of the way you’re bringing poetry into your community. The kiosk looks like a big winner among those who attended. I’m looking forward to more of your poetry celebration in April.
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Thank you so much, Glenda! I love the work I do, I just try to keep that a secret so nobody else will want this dreaded job of poetry in the community. I always appreciate your kind words and can’t wait to use your poem in our chamber windows. I’m still working on finishing the canvases but I will send you a picture when it’s all finished. Take care!
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These events inspire me to do this in my own town, but I see all the work you put into it. Maybe if I have a calm summer (no illness) I will plan for one next year. I love the idea of listening to poetry and also writing poetry with low stakes. It makes poetry accessible to everyone.
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Margaret, I wish you all the calmness a summer can bring and healthy days full of sunshine and happiness. You inspire me to want to make a planning timeline. The work isn’t hard…..it isn’t really even work (but I don’t tell my friends at work this – I complain about it like it’s the worst thing in the world since I’m getting paid to do it – -). It’s passion and fun and all of the stuff you already love. I started small and built up. I have ideas for next year, too. Oh, how I would love to have you come and read. I’m also toying with the idea of an anthology, using Kindle Direct Publishing – – inviting friends to write on a particular theme. I think I already know the theme – – And what a night that would be, for us to have a reading of a book from across the nation by the people who wrote it – a blend of virtual readings and in person readings. It’s a dream.
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This is amazing! I am overwhelmed with jealousy and also inspired! Thank you for the photos and the words that really brought your community into my living room. Beautiful.
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Thank you, Amy! I think I do more event planning for Poetry Month than I do for Thanksgiving and Christmas combined.
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WOW!! I just may plan a trip to Georgia to experience poetry in the community. But like Margaret, might I try to do such an event in my community?! Thanks for including all the photos. Be sure to take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. My fav was the photo of 3 who didn’t know each other and were writing poetry together!!
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Sally, come to Georgia! We have a guest room. We’re just under an hour from the Atlanta airport, but I believe Baltimore still has the Frontier flight to Macon round trip for maybe $88 some days, and we’re just under an hour the other way from Macon. The coffee shop alone is worth the trip. As Rod Roddy said, “Come on down!”
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I am so impressed by the work you do with poetry in your community. I love how this piece and your photos take me into this special coffee shop and your kick-off. I even recognize the canvasses you painted, and shared in a post quite awhile ago! I hope those around you appreciate your efforts, and I applaud your support of poetry for all.
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Thank you, Fran~ it definitely takes the planning piece, but no matter what I’m doing to bring a poetry event to life, it is all so much fun.
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Kim, I’m so happy about this whole event and awed by how gorgeous those orange, sunrise-esque canvases are with the poems on them. Also awed by this honor at the kickoff – thank you. What a joy, all of it! So exciting to see people who didn’t know each other sitting together to write poetry. Look at all the beauty coming into your corner of Georgia, and into the world, out of this. Out of your brain and your heart, Kim. And Boxer’s and Sarah’s and everyone’s… stories knit our hearts together but poetry recreates the world…makes us all artists…reminds us we are part of something greater than ourselves, which makes us more giving and forgiving…it all leads back to a true definition of awe. Thank you, my friend, for everything. I cannot wait to see what else comes!
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Thank you, Fran! That your poem kicked it off as a definition poem made this evening sparkle. Thanks for the gift of your poetry!
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Thank you so much for sharing this window into how your town kicks off National Poetry Month. I loved the low-stakes invitations to write poetry and the ways that so many in your community answered the invitation to be at this event and participate.
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Thank you! This is truly my passion.
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Absolutely extraordinary! What an amazing event. I loved every bit of this slice, imagining your community coming together (and in such a beautiful space!) for the joy of writing poetry. That pic of three strangers writing poetry together – that is truly the magic elixir of poetry, isn’t it? Bringing people together. So great, Kim!
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Thank you’, Maureen!
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Kim, what a fantastic event and thanks for sharing the event through so many wonderful photos. I sure would love to be there in that coffee shop with you. Celebrating poetry is simply the best!
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Poetry and euchre! Both with coffee = Fun! Thanks so much!
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Hooray, Kim! Congratulations on this successful kick off of poetry month. It is fun to see Clayton in a picture. I’ve only seen his writings on Ethical ELA before. I love the success that the cento sticks and Jenga word blocks allow writing to happen just like that. It’s exciting to read about all the good things that are happening already.
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Thank you, Denise! We feel the energy and the peace of poetry!
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