National Poetry Month - 2026

 I've been following the themes, 

It is much harder than it seems.

When thinking about these themes

It feels like a door falling off its hinges:

Unhinged thoughts about what to paint

The images created sometimes don't match

The original thought. Words also tumble through...

***

75th Anniversary Gala (at BACA in Pompano Beach)

...So Keep Your Toxic Kisses

Long Haul

Long Haul

After a long haul job of:

Being on the road for days, avoiding

Congestion spots that make trip longer.

Darkness falls and sleep calls, he

Eats at the depot just enough to

Fight off the hunger but avoid any food coma as must

Guard against lot lizards

Hanging out, looking for their next 

Indiscretion.

Journey can be hazardous, but

Keen to get in a few more miles.

Longing to be back home as

Memories of soft silk inspires and

Nothing matters more.

Over there, a lot lizard climbs into

Phil's truck, not knowing that his

Queen is there.

Real risky behavior 

Shouting ensues and the lizard slithers out 

Towards the next target 

Until the goal is acquired.

Vision keeps him somber and 

Witty. Sometimes playing his

Xylophone at night Until

Yawning leads to sleep, then

zzzzzzzzz.

Written 3/7/26 by Suzzette Dawes. All rights reserved.

2026 is here!

Good-bye 2025, Hello 2026!

Last year, I put 3 entries in one (1) exhibit: True Blue Exhibit. This year, my goal is to attempt 1 entry in every exhibit at Broward Art Guild and also seek out other juried competitions.

First up was the Winter Spectacular Salon Exhibit.

I am pictured with my entries at the Winter Spectacular Salon Exhibit: I titled the photograph "Sunset Inspired" as its sky inspired the painting "Sunset Remixed" which is to the right of it (and closest to me).

Some upcoming exhibits are themed so I hope I can rise to the challenge and have my artwork accepted into the exhibit. Some upcoming exhibits include:

February  -  Heart Of My Heart Exhibit

March - Burlesque is Back Exhibit

April - Rhythms of South Florida ....

Poetry-wise, I want to maintain my practice so I have set myself a weekly goal. Unfortunately, we are now 10 days in and nothing. Since Sunday is my paint day, I will set Thursday as my poetry day and post here to encourage the practice. It will be a draft that I may later rewrite. Not so much your typical resolution but more goal oriented for 2026! 

What is your resolution or goals for 2026? Please share.

It's been a while

 It's been a while and almost April. Time has most certainly flown but I have paused: I have been to the exhibits and let the artwork inspire me.

Last December, I wrote "Love" for the Tupelo 30/30 Project. It was inspired by Ann Alston's painting that I had previously seen at one of the exhibits in 2024 at the Broward Art Guild.

At the Abstract Exhibit in March, I was inspired by Natalia's painting "Darling Salazar" then at Mary Palato's Exhibit at the end of March, I was inspired by "Treasure Under The Sun."

April 5, 2025 is the opening reception for the Exhibit "For The Birds". What artwork will inspire me? Will an artwork inspire you too?!

Tupelo Press 30/30 Project - Week 4

 In the 4th week with 2 more poems to go!  Keep in minds, these are my first attempts. There are definitely some that I want to finetune. Any recommendations on which I should choose?

If there are some poems, that you think will do well in a publication, let me know and I will surely submit. Thank you for participating by reading the poetry of my cohorts and myself in this December 2024 Tupelo Press 30/30 Project. I hope you found some great nuggets that left an impression on your soul. 

It's also end of year and if for tax purposes, you need to make an end of year contribution, consider Tupelo Press. Tupelo Press is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on public support to assist with fulfilling a mission to publish extraordinary writing. 

They will also give each donor a letter for their taxes. Please join my campaign and donate at https://tupelopress.networkforgood.com/projects/237695-suzzette-dawes-s-fundraiser. My goal is to raise $500 and almost half-way there:

If you want to hear me read my week 4 poems then click on video below:

I hope you enjoyed!!!

Tupelo Press 30/30 Project - Week 3

 This 3rd week was even more challenging as I tried not to repeat themes of prior weeks; I want to keep the reading interesting and hope to appeal to a diverse audience.

Day 15 - I wrote a sonnet called "Sonnet For My Cousin." I followed the rhyming scheme as closely as I could with sometimes employing near-rhymes such as rhyming "trend" with "experience." I hope that readers enjoy the flow.

Ahead of the curve, always on trend
Wanting to try a dining experience
Seen in one of your favorite Netflix series
When friends would eat at a restaurant. 

                                                                    more 

Day 16 was a struggle and I had a hard time starting to write so I thought of going to paint. Then I came across my unfinished Artwork and an idea emerged.

  I think the poem captured my mood. Share your thoughts?!

Day 17 - I had received a flyer for the Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale. It had already passed but I was like a drowning person clutching at anything and why not the boat parade. Although I didn't go, I am familiar with the route from taking the Water Taxi before so I dreamt with words of the spectacular board parade. Read poem here!

Day 18 - I decided to use one of the prompts that the National Director of the 30/30 Project had suggested in a prior communication. It was an interesting experience and I hope readers are receptive. 

Day 19 - I really struggled on this day so I used another of the prompts where I had to write a poem about pictures on my phone. Considering I use my phone for reminders such knowing where I parked, it was another interesting experiment. Read poem here!

Day 20 - It's my birthday so I decided to write a letter to my favorite poet. I hope you enjoyed it!

Day 21 - I was wasting time again, watching YouTube when idea struck. Write limericks about dumb criminals. 

Watch me read my poems here:

Remember to visit https://www.tupelopress.org/the-december-2024-30-30-project-page/ and read and enjoy all the poems. And, if you would like to support independent press having interesting projects for the public to participate in, then show your support in the fundraiser.

Tupelo 30/30 Project December 2024 - Week 2

 I am in the 2nd week of writing daily and boy,oh boy, have I met some challenges. 

Day 8 - Blue Bird      Thank you little blue bird for coming to the front and using the bird bath because you came to mind again and I was inspired to write a ballad. Of course, I still didn't get your picture!

Day 9 - Mindless Games     The next night I was playing games on my mobile phone and wondering what to write. Then when I played Wordscape, I wondered what a word meant then I played Cryptogram and I had a plan: Write about "Mindless" games being enriching endeavors.

Day 10 - Belling In The New Year     The following day, I read the news about the Tik Tok Ban and decided that I would incorporate into my next poem. I also incorporated lines from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells" and a line from Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle Into The Night."

Day 11 - Cryptogram Daily Challenge     For the next poem, I went back to my inspiration of playing games on my mobile device. Although I thought it was nice and I could have written maybe another poem on the origins of Santa Claus for Nuutupukki, St. Nicholas to Haddon Sundblom, I realized that I needed more diverse topics to really embrace this experience.

Day 12 - Bomb Cyclone    So, I challenge myself next to use some found poetry techniques where I found an article then traced the map of New England on it and used the words from within New England borders.

Day 13 - Floating Space    Work then panel discussion in the evening limited the time to create so I reached back to a time when I felt vulnerable and alone then someone made me feel welcome.

Day 14 - Dansa in the A.M.  I have been emailing and texting people to go to the Tupelo 30/30 page and peruse the poetry. A back and forth text chat inspired a poem.

See the poems at https://www.tupelopress.org/the-december-2024-30-30-project-page/ and see my video below, I read week 2 poems.

Tupelo 30/30 project for December 2024

 December is my birth month, and as I start another year of life, I embark on a journey with poetry with this 30/30 project this December. Pre-pandemic, I hosted a monthly poetry open-mic reading. Post pandemic, I participated in Broward Art Guild's Art Around Town where I showcased my paintings with my poetry. As I take on another year, I dare to refocus on poetry with this 30/30 project. You are invited to read some poetry (mine and the other 30/30 project participants) and donate to support a worthy indie press: https://tupelopress.networkforgood.com/projects/237695-suzzette-dawes-s-fundraiser

The Painting Poet

I would like to thank the Broward Art Guild and Broward County Libraries for displaying my work. Broward Art Guild has a program called "Art Around Town" that allows members to display works in different venues. The venue that I will be displaying my exhibit "The Painting Poet" is the South Regional Library which is located at 7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL 33024.

I have fond memories of the venue as I attended Broward Community College - South Campus from 1989 to 1991. I also have attended some poetry club events over the years hosted by Sadiq Alkoriji so I am thrilled to be exhibiting in this space!

The Painting Poet Exhibit will run from February 1 - March 30, 2024 at the South Regional Library.

See some other artwork here.