A Poet Could Win the Nobel Prize in 2009
According to The Independent, a poet could be up for the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature this year. See the full story:
Poetry Super Highway Contest Winners Announced
Sian Lindsey, Jim Knowles and Brenda Levy Tate. Read their work at:
For Burma
A few years ago a story broke in the news about the persecution of Buddhist monks in the country of Burma. These brave monks were passively protesting the overwhelming corruption within the Burmese government, which had purposefully kept its citizens living in poverty. The Burmese Buddhist monks demanded freedom from poverty and in return were beaten or killed. Monks are quite well known for their compassion, but what struck me about this story was the courage they displayed as well. Originally much longer, For Burma speaks to the courage and beauty apparent in the lives, and ultimately the deaths, of these monks.
Marie Jones
Robert Pinsky and Louise Gluck
Former Poet Laureates Robert Pinsky and Louise Gluck read and share their favorite poems as part of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival.
Poetry Contest
Next year we will hold a poetry contest. We are still fleshing out the details. Stop back in November for contest guidelines.
Featured Poet September 29th 2009
This week we are featuring the exceptional work of poet, Megan McDonald.
By day, Megan is a production coordinator at an animation studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. By night, she is a poet and screenwriter. She has been in love with language since she wrote her first poem at age four, and hopes one day to earn her keep putting words in their places.
Megan holds a B.A. in English from Yale, and an M.A. in Television, Radio, Film from Syracuse. Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, Megan now lives in La Honda, California, and defies you to find that on a map.
Poetry Superhighway Contest Winners to be Announced
Visit PSH this weekend to hear the winners announced and winners and other participants read their work.
Visit http://www.poetrysuperhighway.com/pshco.html for details!
I Love Words
I love words. Do you love words? In all their flawed utility and their failure of expression, I love them. Take the word, “Intrepid,” for example. It is defined as, “Resolutely courageous; fearless.” For me it conjures up an image of wooden ships battling to the last man with broadsides amidst icebergs in the Arctic Ocean, or an explorer, hacking his way alone through the jungle against all odds in search of an undiscovered ancient civilization. You see the discrepancy between definition and meaning. Herein lies poetry.
In poetry, anything can be intrepid, and “intrepid” can mean almost anything the skill of the poet can make it mean. Poetry is the proving- and playground of words, the crucible and finishing school, both pallet and canvas. Poetry is meant to ring in the air and impress itself upon the mind. Poetry is made up of words. Do you love words? I love words.
by Tom Rubenoff, Senior Poetry Editor, Eye on Life Magazine
Metaphysical Nightmare
Note about the poem from the poet,
"This particular poem was written during a very dark time in my recent past...it is based on the feelings of sadness, despair and fear. That time has past and a new day has dawned but at least I got something creative from the experience and that takes away some of the darkness for me. Whenever I can write something I feel is worthwhile...even if it comes from a bad experience...it gives me a good feeling to know that maybe others will relate to what I was saying at the time, and they have :0). The darkness can be turned into light...!"
Immigrant Dreams
Maureen Injete Chesoni is a “retired” economist and epidemiologist who is currently pursuing a career in writing, art and entrepreneurship. She enjoys writing poetry, creating metal art work, helping people and sharing information on a variety of topics.
Click here to read Maureen's poem: Immigrant Dreams
Click here to read Maureen's article on immigration issues
Click here to read more poems and stories about immigration by Maureen Injete Chesoni