Monday, August 10, 2015

Library Hosts “PoetryMatters”

Greenville Public Library offers an excellent literary blog “Fourth & Sycamore” written by Librarian David Nilsen. David has recently formed a poetry appreciation group called “Poetry Matters” which first met in July. Here is how he explained it in his blog:

“As I explained a couple weeks back, Poetry Matters. It has mattered greatly to my life, and I want it to matter in yours. I’m pleased to announce the Library will be starting a poetry appreciation group to allow lovers of poetry an opportunity to share and discuss their favorite poems and poets and hopefully discover some new favorites from other readers.

“The group will be called (what else?) PoetryMatters. Attendees will bring books (either from their home libraries or GPL) containing poems they wish to share with the group (literary magazines, printouts from the internet, or other sources are acceptable too, of course). We will read these already published poems aloud and discuss them, but we will not, as Billy Collins says in his sly verse Introduction to Poetry, “tie the poem to a chair with rope / to torture a confession out of it.” We will talk about impressions, ideas, images and memories stirred up by lines, emotional responses to verses.
“This will not be an exploration of theory or philosophy, but a thoughtful celebration of a literary artform that can function on levels both close to the surface and deep beneath the waves. Bring your favorite poetry, a willingness to read aloud, an open mind, a generous ear.
“PoetryMatters will not be the place for reading poetry written by group members or individuals close to them. This isn’t because we think your poetry is terrible and we don’t want you writing it, but because it distracts from the focus of what this group is intended to be about. We want to celebrate established, published poets and their writing in our meetings. Keep writing poetry. If you want us to read it, submit it to this journal.
“PoetryMatters will meet once a month. The next meeting is Friday, August 14th at 2:00 p.m. at Montage in downtown Greenville. Bring poetry you love and be ready to share it with the group. I can’t wait to read with you.”

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