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.
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Update on Melissa Carl’s Pulitzer Remix progress, and a discussion of found poetry
Previously, I blogged about West York Area High School history teacher and poet Melissa Carl’s participation in Pulitzer Remix, a National Poetry Month project sponsored by the Found Poetry Review. I thought we could talk a bit more about found … Continue reading
Stay tuned for a contest! And more!
I’m going to be trying something new, beginning in a few weeks, to hopefully get more people interested in the blog, and maybe even in poetry. Everybody likes a contest, right? Also, there are some interesting poetry-related things brewing in … Continue reading
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You are not alone: On the importance of writing groups and writing buddies
My first day of grad school, I met my #WSF. That’s the affectionate, shortened, Twitter-fied term we use to refer to each other. It stands for Writing Spouse Forever. Her name is Teneice, and for the past eight years, she’s … Continue reading
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Tagged self-edit, workshop, writing buddy, writing group, writing support
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Write, yes, but what about publish? NewPages and Duotrope as writers’ resources
First off, let me say that submitting and publishing poems is not for everyone, nor does it have to be. But if you are interested in sending your polished poems out for consideration, or even just learning about some of … Continue reading
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Tagged Blood Lotus, Duotrope, literary journals, NewPages, poetry mail, publishing, rejection, submissions, submitting
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Natasha Trethewey is the new national poet laureate!
Last Thursday, the Library of Congress named Pulitzer Prize-winner poet and Emory University creative writing professor Natasha Trethewey the 19th Poet Laureate of the United States! Have I mentioned–in recent interviews with the York poet laureate perhaps–how happy I am … Continue reading
Carla Christopher interview part II and review of Jawstruck! performances
Last Friday night, I attended my first poetry event in York county–and what a first foray into the regional literary scene it was. From the collaborative lyric efforts of the WordWide crew to the provocative theatrics of Baltimore’s Mark S. … Continue reading
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Tagged Art Institute of York, Carla Christopher, CityArts, DogStar Books, DogStar Poetry Review, JAWSTRUCK!, Jeff Kuhns, Jerald "Conscious" Procter, Juneteenth Festival, Ladi Glori, Mark S. Sanders, Mayor C. Kim Bracey, Poet Laureate, Poetry Spoken Here, Poetry-Music Experiment at BADOG, SuNn, The York Emporium, Warkenda, WordWide
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York County Poet Laureate Carla Christopher talks to me about York’s literary scene, young writers and how to get Jawstruck! this Friday
It is a great comfort to me that there are still local, state and national poet laureates–poets who are looking out for other poets. And it’s an even greater comfort that Carla Christopher is representing us here in York County. … Continue reading
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Tagged accessible poetry, ArtOfficial Mics, Benevolent Armchair, Carla Christopher, Christine O'Leary Rockey, Convergence poetry group, Crystal Leathery, Daina Savage, Debberae Streett, Dorothy E. King, Harrisburg Poet Laureate, Iya Isoke, JAWSTRUCK!, Jeff Rath, Keith Snow, Lancaster Poet Laureate, Maria James-Thiaw, Mark Sanders, Missi McLaren, performance poetry, Poetry @ The Parliament, poetry competition, poetry event, Poetry Spoken Here, Poetry-Music Experiment, Rebecca Gonzales, Shaashawn Dial, spoken word poetry, Stefan May, York County Poet Laureate, York Emporium of Used Books, York poetry venues, young writers
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Poem by Julia Hvalacik, Teen Takeover blogger-poet, and some sonnet love
It should be immediately noted that I am a huge fan of the sonnet. Big-time. Traditional or experimental, I have nothing but love for the form that my favorite poet and former teacher Molly Peacock says has “a primitive appeal … Continue reading
More teens taking over Teen Takeover with poems
Second consecutive day of teen poetry! Today, YDR’s Teen Takeover blog features a poem by Spring Grove Area High School student Bria Topper called “Succumb to the wind.” Check it out! My favorite part of this poem?
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Tagged poem, Spring Grove Area High School, Teen Takeover blog, teens
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