The Poetry of Politics

Many a news story with poetry connection not just in the United States but the world over. Some were just downright scary such as the murder suspect who wrote a “haiku.” The humorous news story involved a politician using poetic forms in the legislature. It reminded me of my encounter with a local politician. Following a visit from a politician hot on his campaign trail, littering canvassing the neighborhood with his signs, I wrote a sestina immortalizing my interactions with said politician. Considering that he was running unopposed, WHY WAS HE WALKING AROUND ASKING PEOPLE TO PUT SIGNS IN THEIR YARDS TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT?

By the way, those signs were still in people's yard wayyyyyyy after the election!

###

POETRY AROUND TOWN 

7/28/13 - 6 pm. Networking Mixer. Pembroke Rose Banquet Hall. 6780 Pembroke Rd. Pembroke Pines

7/31/13 – 7 pm. Open mike (music, comedy & poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL.

8/2/13 - 8:30 pm. Cultural Flow Open Mic. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL

8/2/13 - 9 pm. Open mike (music, comedy & poetry).  Writeside Poets Café. 5464 NW 19th St. Lauderhill, FL.

8/17/13 - Free Poetry Reading at 6 pm at Cinema Paradiso. 503 SE 6th St, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301. Contact Suzzettethepoet@gmail.com for details.

8/18/13 – 6 pm. Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL

Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

###

POETRY IN THE NEWS

“In a Seussian manner, Lucas nimbly incorporates the names of all 120 House members into his five-minute, rhyming oration, prompting us to hope for a day when the chamber’s rules require all legislators to speak in couplets or iambic pentameter while debating from the floor.” By Bryan Warner via http://thevoterupdate.com/jones/?p=1587#.UfPDD9KTiSo

“Following protests, a poem written by an alleged Al Qaeda leader was withdrawn temporarily from the syllabus for undergraduates in Kerala's Calicut University…”by IANS – KOZHIKODE via http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Controversial-poem-no-more-in-Kerala-varsity-syllabus/2013/07/25/article1701697.ece

“Police had found a "haiku" poem stuck to the window of Homi's (the suspect) house. The haiku is a traditional Japanese form, a three-line verse of 17 syllables in a five-seven-five arrangement. It customarily evokes natural phenomena and usually involves a reference to the seasons.

The haiku reads: "Setting a fire -- smoke gives delight -- to a country fellow." Via http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/japan-police-arrest-haiku/757278.html

Palm Beach Poetry Festival's 10th Anniversary workshops are January 20-25, 2014, at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts at Old School Square. The 10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival workshop faculty includes: Nick Flynn, Carolyn Forché, Linda Gregg, Thomas Lux, Campbell McGrath, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Mary Ruefle, and Tim Seibles. Review the guidelines and apply before November 11, 2013 at http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/apply.

***

###

MY POEM FOR THE WEEK