About this blog
One of America's most revered poets, Adrienne Rich, said, "The moment of change is the only poem." Because the world is always changing, poetry is everywhere, and everything can be versified.Here, I'll discuss and review contemporary books of poetry, with a focus on regional writers, publications, and organizations. I'll promote area writers by offering prompts and contests, because I want to foster a spirit of community centered around poets and readers of poetry. This is a place to demystify the art of poetry, to appreciate its economy of language, its precision of image and sound.
Please share suggestions for blog content by emailing me at sfleegal@ydr.com. I'd love to hear from you! Let's versify PA and support those who are doing the same.
Monthly Archives: October 2012
Reader-submitted poem: “Unquenched” by Deb Blair of East Manchester Township
Deb Blair is a third grade teacher who has been writing poems since she was a child. I think many of us discovered a love of writing when we were young enough to not question whether our feelings or opinions … Continue reading
Hear Alyse Bensel read two York-centric poems, even if you weren’t there last Friday night
Friday night was my first trip out to YorkArts for a local poetry event. Their CityArts location (right around the corner on Philadelphia, a few doors down from the White Rose Bar and Grill) is an intimate venue for poetry … Continue reading
Support YorkArts, a valuable organization for York, through its upcoming fundraiser and writing contest
I’ve mentioned YorkArts more than a few times here. Now that I’ve attended an event there and seen the space — not to mention, familiarized myself with the long list of arts programs they offer — I can say with … Continue reading
Stepping out from my cube: My visit to York College’s small press publishing class
I met Travis Kurowski on Twitter. Well, ok, I met him after discovering Luna Park Review, the awesome, Kurowski-edited blog dedicated to reviewing literary magazines (more sites like this, please!). I emailed him about getting some attention for my own … Continue reading
Reader-submitted poem: “Long Walks” by Tiffani Hemcher of Mount Joy, Pa.
A trend I’m noticing in poetry today is that while political poetry is seeing a resurgence, young people are the ones writing tribute poems to our troops overseas. These poems certainly have political implications (arguably, implications that the reader imposes), … Continue reading
Reader-submitted poem and review: “Poetic Political Satire” by Robert G. Falkenstine of Springettsbury Township
I can’t resist the urge to feature some seasonal poetry. And I don’t mean the season of autumn. I mean election season. Poetry has a strong, rich tradition of being a venue for more than just expressing one’s political beliefs … Continue reading
October poetry events in York and beyond
Let it never be said that southcentral Pa. has no literary scene! Here’s an extensive round-up of events for the rest of October, courtesy of the Facebook page Southcentral PA Poetry Events and Announcements, established and maintained by Carla Christopher, … Continue reading
Interview with Alyse Bensel, native York poet and author of Shift, a chapbook of poems
Poet Alyse Bensel is reading at YorkArts @ CityArt this Friday at 7 p.m. When I received the press release, I recognized her name from my own poetry world and decided to get in touch with her. Turns out, … Continue reading
Posted in Interview
Tagged Ahsahta Press, Alyse Bensel, Anhinga Press, Black Lawrence Press, Brick Books, Caketrain Press, chapbook, Chinoiserie by Karen Rigby, Gloss by Ida Stewart, industrial heritage, Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith, Litmus Press, Los Angeles Review, NewPages, Orion Magazine, Penn State MFA, persona poems, Plan B Press, sense of place, Shift, The New Black by Evie Shockley, Tupelo Press, Utopia Minus by Susan Briante, working class sensibility, YorkArts @ CityArt
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Reader-submitted poem: “Our Garden, June 2012,” by Pat Long of West Manchester Township
Because it is now October and harvest time, I thought it would be fun to recall what our gardens looked like way back in June, when the abundance was just beginning. Through verse, of course. Specifically, the verse of Pat … Continue reading
