Autumn Reads

"Poetry soothes the soul..." - The Collection, copyrighted 2013 Suzzette Dawes

I was reading and came across an opinion piece about best summer reads. I only read one of the books of the list. We are fast approaching Autumn, one of the most poetic seasons (at least in my mind) and I want to share some good poetry reads:

Throughout this winning chapbook, Meryl tells a story with her poems. In "Black and White," she not only tells the story of a photograph of a ballerina's slipper, she weaves in her memories of being a ballerina (lines 11-13), gives us a history lesson on Russian noblemen (lines 14-15) and protests the notion of women being the weaker sex (lines 38-41). Another one of my favorites is "Elegy with Backwards Clocks" as she finds Daylight Savings Time as fiction (I also share that belief). Short, leaving you wanting more poetry. Meryl Stratford. Magician's Daughter. Ed. Gianna Russo. Yellow Jacket Press, 2013.

I had the pleasure of attending a workshop at Kerouac House in Orlando where Monica led the workshop. I recall her quiet demeanor then I read her poetry - the emotions she displays! "Howlish" the very title reminded me of beat poetry. I don't understand reviewer using "charming" to describe her work. It had a gritty, raw feel to me with remnants of beat poetry - prose poetry and some explicit language. The poems are arranged (into political, dreams, animal & cities and money & ghost) divisions. A jarring but good read. Monica Wendel. No Apocalypse. Georgetown Review Press, 2013.

I like the way Linda create pictures with her words such as in "Janie's Life" (in the shape of a woman) and "An Engaging Proposal"(in the shape of a ring). Her artwork throughout adds to the words such as in "Sparkling Crystal." Then her other poems are crafts of words. I heard her read "The Ordinary Life of Amazing" and reading the print, I was amazed at the internal rhyme scheme. I found a favorite read in "Monday Mourning" which captures the pain of cubicle worklife. A witty, play on words. Linda Eve Diamond. The Beauty of Listening. Aventine Press, 2013.

Anastasia gives you imagery with her poems such as in "Jilted and Chardonnay" you can picture the people in the cocktail especially the people in the corner "love/slowly siphoned from/The pink skirts."  I have heard her read, been in her workshops and I am always enthralled on her wordmanship (spellcheck states not a word but that is how I would describe Anastasia.) Anastasia Clark. Confetti Stampede. Ed. Christen Kincaid. Finishing Line Press, 2013.

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POETRY AROUND TOWN 

1. 9/14/13 - Free Poetry Reading at 5 pm at Cinema Paradiso. 503 SE 6th St, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301. Contact Suzzettethepoet@gmail.com for details.
2. 9/17/13 – 6:30 pm Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room
3. Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 9/22 at 6 pm.
4. Open mike (music, comedy & poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
5. Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2013 FWA Conference
When: October 18-20, 2013
Where: Orlando Marriott 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746
http://floridawriters.net/2013_FWA_Conferences.html

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

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