Spring 2002

Spring meeting Saturday, May 18

Weymouth Center, Southern Pines On May 18, there will be awards Steele, a new member who de- for both students and adults, who signed the cover. 9:15 Registration—annual dues will read their winning poems. Just think, when you come to the payments are welcome! Registration begins at 9:15 a.m.— awards program, you have an excel-

slightly earlier than usual to help lent opportunity to encourage our 10:00 Business meeting—new student winners with praise! These officers installed (see p. 3) everyone with seating. young people are the future of po- etry in and the na- 10:30 AWP dedication; Poet by William J. Blackley tion. Your smiles, praise, and ap- Laureate, McDill, & Student Recently, I looked through the last plause help them know they are Contest winners read 12 editions of Award-Winning winners. Your support for this pro-

Poems. The whose po- gram makes a difference. Come and Noon Box lunch, $8.50—for ems have been published in AWP is be a part of something great. Who advance orders, contact Bill striking. Add in the poets who have knows, you may be listening to a Blackley (see below) received our prestigious Brockman- future poet laureate!

Campbell Book Award, and the list 1:15 Adult Contest winners read of winners reads like a Who’s Who THE NEWS INSIDE of North Carolina . AWP was launched in 1965 as a booklet and 2 President’s message

Sam Ragan then grew into a book, which Ray 3 Poetry Festival Dotson began helping Sam McKay Poetry Festival 4 Welcome, new members! with in 1989. From 1991 through last Saturday, June 22 year, Ray edited AWP almost single- 5 Workshop notes handedly as it became an integral Elon College, April 20 Registration & coffee begin 9 a.m. part of our Society program. The Georgetown, SC, May 4 at the Weymouth Center, Southern Pines Bits & pieces (see program details on p. 3) contests that yield the poetry are themselves a much anticipated 6 Small town girl heads south part of our program. Gift of the Muse(s)

Come hear the winning poets read, 7 Kudos! LUNCH and pick up your 2002 AWP. When Motorcycle poetry INSTRUCTIONS you get the opportunity, please thank Foothills Favorite Poem Project Eclectic 195 provides a box lunch for Priscilla Webster-Williams for se- 8 Campaign for Honoraria $8.50 (tax included) lecting the excellent judges. Also Brockman-Campbell contest If you know you want to order a meal thank Janice Sullivan and Joanne for Awards Day on May 18, and/or Nelson for all their hard work in get- 9 Book room policy SRPF on June 22, please contact Bill ting the word out about the contests April is National Poetry Month Poetry needed—UNC Hospitals Blackley at [email protected] so that and for coordinating the review of Members may list books on Web he can prepare an advance estimate of poems. We had 800-plus entries for the number of sandwiches needed. This 2002. 10 Word & Witness poems performed will help avoid waste, and save money This year AWP has been produced Student’s Appalachian anthology for the Society. The sandwich choices Rick Chess at SRPF are: tuna, chicken, and vegetarian. The by a team—Joanne Nelson, Susan Meyers, Barbara Presnell, Sharon 11 Poetry Council contest meal includes iced tea, small salad, and a small tart or sweet. Sharp, Ed Cockrell, and Celisa 12 Officers & committee chairs

April 1, 2002 1 NC Poetry Society PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Parting thoughts and upcoming celebrations by Sharon Sharp you have any feedback about cur- welcome to send Campaign for Hono- Since May 2000, the outstanding offi- rent programs or suggestions about raria donations at any time, and con- cers and committee chairs I’ve been new directions, please let Bill and tributions of all sizes are much appre- fortunate enough to serve with have other 2002-2003 board members ciated. You’ll be receiving more de- kept coming up with fresh ways to know. tailed updates about the campaign ef- hone our existing programs and excit- Campaign for Honoraria forts in the next several months. Also, ing plans for new directions. I can’t Poetry Society T-shirts designed by thank all of them enough for the great Paying honoraria to all of the fea- Beth Hoyt (see p. 5) will be available ideas, boundless energy, and unflag- tured presenters at the Poetry Soci- at the Sam Ragan Poetry Festival, and ging support! The recent Weymouth ety’s regular meetings is the goal of the proceeds will go toward the Cam- programs, regional workshops, annual the Campaign for Honoraria. paign for Honoraria. contests, newsletter issues, Web site Your donations will build an en- dowment to generate the ongoing Explorations: updates, and other ongoing activities Updates and a call for ideas all bear the distinct stamp of their vi- funds that will allow our Poetry So- sions and efforts. Also, they’ve often ciety, for the first time, to ade- Some of the topics being discussed been the first to let me know about the quately recognize these dedicated by the current board members, along varied poetry activities many of the professionals for their time, effort, with the incoming ones, are rest of you are involved in—they’ve and expertise. Further details about • expanded Web site features, such as been great PR people for you. this major effort will be available on a list of members’ books (see p. 9) What has struck me most about these June 22 at the Sam Ragan Poetry • new approaches to peer mentoring board members is how excited they get Festival (see p. 3), after plans are • outreach programs in the eastern- when sharing poetry and nurturing finalized by a steering committee most and westernmost parts of the other poets. These friends, as well as composed of Lois Wistrand state many others among you, remind me of (Chair), Sally Buckner, and Sally • ways to involve more student mem- the mentors I met when I joined the Logan. bers Poetry Society some 14 years ago. The The campaign is off to a good start • coordinated planning of all publica- because of a generous donation of tions. open, welcoming spirit of the organiza- tion is what kept drawing me back to $250 from the William M. Any and all ideas about these top- meetings—and that is very much alive Hendricks Family Foundation. ics—and others that excite you—are and is what will keep me coming back. This foundation has been estab- welcome, so contact any of us on the It’s been a privilege to serve as the Po- lished in memory of Dr. William M. board. etry Society president, and I thank all Hendricks, a physician and poet ac- Since we’re an all-volunteer organi- of you who have shared your interests tive in the Poetry Society and a re- zation (and that very fact still amazes and encouraged me, the board, and the cipient of multiple awards in the an- me!), having someone say, “I’d like organization as a whole. nual contests. (Award-Winning Po- to help with . . .” guarantees a “You ems, 1993, for instance, contains bet!” response. If you’re thinking Welcome, 2002-2003 Board! two of his poems.) We are deeply about participating on a committee, On May 18, 2002, the new board honored by this gift, which was we can help find a spot that will suit members (see p. 3) will begin their given by Caywood G. Hendricks, your schedule and interests. Here are terms—and what a group! The incom- in memory of her husband and on a few committee examples: ing president is Bill Blackley, a poet behalf of the foundation. and physician from Elkin whom you Also, the board voted this past • Book Sales—sell members’ books may have met this past year during the January to direct all contributions— during the Weymouth meetings (a excellent programs he planned for the that is, donations beyond member- process is already in place), coordi- Weymouth meetings. Bill’s enthusi- ship dues—received this year to- nate the distribution and sales of asm, energy, openness, and vision are ward the Campaign for Honoraria Award-Winning Poems, plan new unmatched, and he’s already laying the (unless the donor asks for funds to ways to promote members’ books groundwork for some exciting changes be applied differently). The catego- • Membership Development—design to be considered by the incoming ries of support that we’ve been us- approaches to recruiting and board. Bill is eager to hear from all of ing still apply, as indicated in the nurturing members, do outreach you, to involve new members, and to box on p. 8, and all donors will be programs in communities, involve recognized in the newsletter. You’re consider new outreach possibilities. If (Continued on page 3)

April 1, 2002 2 NC Poetry Society

(Continued from page 2) new Poetry Society members in Sam Ragan Poetry Festival the organization’s activities • Program—generate ideas for pro- Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. grams, help with arrangements dur- Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, Southern Pines

ing the Weymouth meetings, coordi- Registration and coffee will begin at 9 nate program evaluations, greet peo- Bring your own lunch or order a deli one at registration. ple at the meetings • Publicity—provide newspapers All-Day Program (Big Doings!) and other media with information 70th Anniversary of the North Carolina Poetry Society about annual contests, meetings, and regional workshops As suggested by Sally Buckner, this year’s Sam Ragan Poetry Day has been • Workshops—identify potential renamed the Sam Ragan Poetry FESTIVAL. On this day we’re celebrating workshop leaders, help local coordi- both Sam (the late North Carolina Poet Laureate) and the 70th Anniversary of nators arrange workshops, plan ways our Society, with a poetry-fest indeed! We will also launch our Campaign for to reach underserved areas Honoraria (see p. 2).

Fortunately, there are many ways to At registration (beginning at 9), pick up a free bow tie party favor, with be involved with the Poetry Society “Sam Ragan” written in glitter (prepared by Margaret Parrish). And, if you even if you can’t attend the meetings are a hat wearer, dust off your own straw hat to wear in honor of Sam at Weymouth. Just tell any board Ragan. Come as early as you can to mingle, and enjoy coffee with old friends and new ones until our program of featured poets begins in the main room. member how you would like to help.

Celebrating together We’re planning a very relaxed and fun day with music and poetry. Featured poets will share the podium from 10 until about 3 with a break for lunch. I hope to see many of you at Open Mike will be woven through the day for any poet who wants to read a Awards Day, on May 18, and at the poem or say a word about Sam or the Society. Sam Ragan Poetry Festival, on June 22. Celebrating the Poetry Society’s The Program th 70 Anniversary with you this year will be a treat! Again, many thanks • Margaret Baddour, a former Poetry Society president and a faculty mem- to all of you for having made my ber at Wayne Community College, will read. term as president so fulfilling. • Sally Buckner, the editor of the NC poetry anthology Word and Witness and a retired professor at Peace College, will talk about Sam Ragan and read

some of his poems.

Officers for the 2002-2003 Board • Rick Chess, a professor at UNC-Asheville and a member of the Queen’s

College M.F.A. faculty, will read from his new poetry book, Chair in the President Desert. Bill Blackley • Connie Clark, an actress, will give us a taste of her new one-woman show

1st Vice President (programs) based on the anthology Word and Witness. Nancy King • Sally Logan, a board member who has filled many Poetry Society roles, will join several of her poet-friends in presenting a dramatic reading. 2nd Vice President (student contests) • Dave Manning, a long-time board member, will join Doug Stuber and his Libby Campbell electric poet friends to provide musical interludes. 3rd Vice President (membership) • Stephen Smith, a professor at Sandhills Community College and writer for Carolyn & Guy York The Pilot, will read, and he and a friend will play guitars. Treasurer • , a recent recipient of the for Lit- Bill Griffin erature, will play, sing, and read from Fiddledeedee.

Recording Secretary At lunch we’ll cut a 70th Anniversary cake, while you enjoy your choice of Mack Ivey sandwich to be catered by Eclectic 195 (as ordered and paid for at registra- Corresponding Secretary (newsletter) tion). If you know you want to order a box lunch, please notify Bill Blackley Ed Cockrell in advance, so that he can get a good head count (see p.1). Come on out

we’re going to have a great time celebrating poetry, encouraging laughter and Member at Large smiles, and sharing friendships. David Manning

Member at Large Note: Ceremonies for the Mary Belle Campbell Poetry Book Publication Award, funded Janice Sullivan by the Persephone Endowment and presented by the North Carolina Writers’ Network will take place this year during the September meeting of the North Carolina Poetry Society.

April 1, 2002 3 NC Poetry Society

WELCOME, FRANCES T. AYCOCK (Fran) • PO Box PHYLLIS H. LAMBERT • PO Box 427 • 157 • Rowland, NC 28383 • (910) 422-3156 Robbins, NC 27325 • (910) 948-3695 • new members! Phyllis is a recording secretary of Delta PATRICIA BARBER • 2626 Monticello Kappa Gamma and was a nominee for the Drive • Winston-Salem, NC 27106 • (336) If you are a new member of NCPS and your Terry Sanford Award. She was the winner of 748-0066 • [email protected] bio has not been published in the newsletter, the North Carolina Federation of Women’s please send a 35-word synopsis to C. Pleas- JEFF R. BONEMEYER • 2132-I Chester Clubs Art Contest (Poetry Division) and pub- ants York at the address on the back. We’d Ridge Dr. Apt. 1 • High Point, NC 27262 • lished Turning Every Stone: Autism with love to hear about you! (336) 889-2028 • [email protected] Love in 1990. She taught school in Moore

County for five years and for 25 years was a Words of Power TIMOTHY F. CROWLEY • 203 Old For- guidance counselor. est Cr. Dr. • Chapel Hill, NC 27514 • (919) by C. Pleasants York 942-0848 • [email protected] • JORDAN LARI • Box 1551 • Boone, NC

Timothy was born in Boston, but has lived in 28607 • (828) 265-3960 • jordan_lari@hot As the sleek train tunneled through Chapel Hill for 12 years. For six years he has mail.com • Jordan is a student at Appalachian the night from Paris to Provence, I been a member of North Carolina Writers’ State University, where he helped launch a Network. He is an advocate of literacy for the students’ literary book, The 2002 Appala- stood in the darkened corridor Orange County Literacy Council, a former chian Anthology (foreword by R. T. Smith). watching the reflection of lights board member and currently on the steering flickering by, and I thought, I’m glad committee. His collection Poets for Peace is BETTY JOHN MAGILL • 1000-1F Talon Circle • Jacksonville, NC 28546 • (910) 938- available from Chapel Hill Press. His favorite I can write. 3131 • [email protected] poets are William Carlos Williams, Thich As I sat outside the operating room Nhat Hahn, and W. B. Yeats. PAUL C. MITCHELL • Route 1 Box 235 • at Duke Hospital on Valentine’s Day McBee, SC 29101 • (843) 335-6676 • big- NORVIN DICKERSON • 3 Tree Top feeling anxious for my loved one, I [email protected] • Paul is a Methodist Place • Black Mountain, NC 28711 • (828) kept my sanity by endlessly scrib- minister, poet, and potter. His new wife, Re- 669-2526 • [email protected] bling my agony and fear on legal becca J. Mitchell, is an NCPS member, and pads. JOHN FERREE • 4485 Fork Creek Mill president of the Poetry Council of North As I watched my children toss a Road • Seagrove, NC 27341 • (336) 879- Carolina. 5337 • [email protected] • John Fer- beach ball across the pink sands of ree is 60 years old and works at the North G. BENNETT MYERS, JR. • 102 Solterra Way • Durham, NC 27705 • (919) 419- Spanish Wells, Bahamas, I knew that Carolina Zoo near Asheboro. He and his wife 8886 • [email protected] I could crystallize these memories on live on a non-working farm and he enjoys paper. writing, riding motorcycles, traveling, and RUSSELL E. NORDSTROM • 2060 Little As I leafed through the pages of a music. Valley Rd. • Maynardville, TN 37807 • [email protected] tattered autograph book of 1872, I PERRIN Q. HENDERSON • 1855 Mary- thought, with my words I can pre- land Ave. • Charlotte, NC 28209 • (704) 376- JULIE SUK • 845 Greentree Dr. • Charlotte, serve the remembrances of these 7080 • PHENDERSON@CAROLINARR. NC 28211 • (704) 336- 8956 • jgsuk@aol. COM com • Julie presented the workshop people long dead. “Beginnings, Endings, and Anything in Be- IRENE HONEYCUTT • 3501 Pine Grove Words give us power—the power tween” at the January NCPS meeting. She Rd. • Charlotte, NC 28212 to know, the power to see—but also has won the Roanoke-Chowan Poetry the power to encapsulate thoughts on FRANK A HUNNICUTT, II • 18301 Cen- Award, the Arkansas Poetry Award Competi- paper for now, and for later. To the ter Court Drive • Davidson, NC 28036 • tion, and from Poetry magazine, the Bess (704) 892-0026 • frank.hunnicutt@bankof Hopkin Prize. She has published Heartwood, new members of NCPS—welcome, america.com • Frank is a senior vice presi- The Medicine Woman, and The Angel of Ob- share your power and wield it well! dent of Bank of America working in strategy/ session. change management. Currently he is redis- covering those things which played an im- NONNA SKUMANICH • 3413 Rugby Road • Durham, NC 27707 • (919) 419- portant role in his younger years, like writ- 8420 • [email protected] • ing. He is the grandson of Dr. Thomas H. Biographical information was Nonna moved to North Carolina from Seattle McDill, NCPS past president. not available for all of the new seven years ago. She says, “I am very much a members listed below. ROB KINCAID • 1131 Setter Lane • Con- Westerner, even though the South has be- cord, NC 28025 • (704) 784-4898 • rkin- come my home. I was here in North Carolina [email protected] • Rob likes to write short once before. My parents allowed me to at-

KATHY CANTLEY ACKERMAN • 6611 stories and poetry. He is an adult student of tend NC School of the Arts for my last two Dr. Janice Fuller at Catawba College in years of high school where I studied ballet.” White Mist Lane • Charlotte, NC 28269 • (704) 948-0629 • [email protected]. Salisbury. He enrolled in the evening pro- gram at Catawba and has taken some of Dr. CELISA STEELE • 406 McDade Street • nc.us • Kathy presently teaches at Isothermal Chapel Hill, NC 27516 • (919) 967-0686 • Fuller’s classes that have allowed him to re- Community College in Spindale and has [email protected] • Celisa has recently discover his love of writing. He says, “I lived in the Carolinas since 1984. Her chap- moved to her Chapel Hill home from Los work in a left-brain field, but enjoy that walk book The Time It Takes is scheduled to be Angeles, where she spent a year and a half on the ‘right side’ now and again that crea- published in spring 2002 by Finishing Line writing marketing copy, designing Web and Press, as number four in their New Women’s tive writing allows me to do.” print materials, and learning Japanese cuisine Voices Poetry Series. at the California Sushi Academy.

April 1, 2002 4 NC Poetry Society Workshop notes

Workshops in your area — Coordinators needed! NCPS workshop coordinators work with poets and plan workshops in their areas. If you want to be a coordinator, please contact the workshop chair, Margaret Parrish, in Ra- leigh (see back page for the address). Also, please visit the NCPS Web site at www.sleepycreek.net/poetry for the most current workshop information and other updates.

Elon Georgetown, SC

Elon University Campus DeBordieu Beach Club, by the ocean

April 20 May 4

Workshop leader: Dr. Kyle Torke Workshop leader: Jessica Bundschuh

Sign in: 9:30 a.m. Program: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sign in: 9:30 a.m. Program: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: $15 NCPS member, $25 nonmember Cost: $25 NCPS/PSSC members, $35 nonmember

Register by April 5 Register by April 26

Dr. Kyle Torke graduated from Grinnell College, Iowa, before receiving his This workshop on generating new poems will M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Denver. He has taught creative writing be led by Jessica Bundschuh, a member of the and for the past seven years at Elon University. He has successfully teaching faculty at College of Charleston. Her published poetry, fiction, and screenplays. Most recently, Gorky Press released most recent awards include poetry fellowships his full-length collection of poems, Archeology of Bones. From 10 until 11 by the SC Arts Commission and the SC Acad- selected Elon students and Dr. Torke will read their original work. The poetry emy of Authors. Her work has appeared in the critique workshop will run from 11 until 12:30. A lunch buffet begins at 12:30 Paris Review, as well as numerous other literary journals. and will continue with open mike until 2.

To register, make check payable to NCPS and send with one typed poem to: To register, contact the workshop coordinator, Janice L. Sullivan, 3805 Meredith Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408. Dennis Stiles, (843) 762-2957, or get further de-

tails from Susan Meyers, [email protected]. The buffet lunch costs $9. Please write a separate check made out to Elon University and send it to Dr. Helen MacKay, 2254 Campus Box, Elon Univer- The fee for registration includes lunch. sity, Elon, NC 27244-2020.

Bits & pieces

Keith Petersen’s Poetry back page) if you have not yet sub- William Bronk Awards mitted your poems for this service. Poems of the late Keith Petersen can for Poetry and Prose be accessed as MP3 audio files at New NCPS T-Shirts June 1, 2002 Deadline www.communityucc.org (click on Contest and scholarship opportunities Arts in Worship). The poems were re- As part of Sam Ragan Poetry Festi- with prizes of $1,000. Entry fee $10. corded in Keith’s kitchen on June 28, val on June 22 we will have 25 T- Visit www.williambronk.com for de- 2000, as a project of the Community shirts available in stonewashed blue tails. United Church of Christ in Raleigh. with a small dark blue NCPS logo on The site will direct you on how to play front and larger logo on back. Cost is Seeking Poetry the MP3 audio files. $12 for sizes M, L, and XL—

that celebrates loved ones preshrunk 100% cotton. All proceeds

A series of 35 books is planned by Welcome, New Critiquers will go to the Campaign for Hono- raria. Until June 1, shirts can also Paul Andrew Dawkins to be called the Sally Buckner and Sally Logan have be purchased by mail in additional CeLEBRATIONS series. Details on agreed to become additional critiquers sizes of S, 2X, and 3X. (Add $3 ship- the Dawkins Project can be found at of poems submitted by new NCPS ping and handling.) Order from: www.thedawkinsproject.com. Contact members. All new members have a Beth Hoyt, 308 King Charles Lane, Paul at 1531 Palmer Dr., Fayetteville, one-time opportunity to submit up to Cary, NC 27511, (919) 469-3654. NC 28303; (910) 488-3953. three poems to be critiqued as a mem- ber benefit. Contact the Yorks (see

April 1, 2002 5 NC Poetry Society Small-town girl heads south from Hillsborough to Southern Pines an open mike experience

by Marylin Hervieux

I love gray days, the way tree bark leeches silver, and how APPETITE the rust of leaves becomes a complimentary color. Add the Sometimes, life is like driving at night sweet wetness of rain, a January day, a rinsed road branch- and running out of road. ing south, and glory is imminent. It was that kind of day, when the name Southern Pines put That’s how I felt, steering the sun in the white florescent letters on the green-as-grass my poem at the Weymouth podium road sign. Yes! I did go there to replenish, to embrace old on a rainy, January afternoon, friends and welcome new ones, to listen to words created in the intent crowd perched, riding along. winter’s personal recesses, and to learn from the experi- We’d traveled six lines, when, suddenly, enced. I said, “Take me, Oh Winter Meeting, to the Big anticipated words ran out, shock House, to the fish pond, cold as chilled iceberg lettuce, to wielding its intentional moment. the gardens, alive, yet dormant, to the thrill of entering into You see, I’d inadvertently brought an old, the warmth of companionship, the common rooms of com- unfinished manuscript to read, mon-ground thoughts. Oh, Weymouth, I heard you harken, my revised one not on that trip. and I looked forward for months before.” And people said, There’s a lesson here, I’m sure, I think. “You’d better get a life.” But, what better way to spend That’s it!!! Think!! cold, gray days than in anticipation of that momentous And, don’t read to a crowd event? if you’ve not scanned your paper, unless So, I thermosed my tea, planned my wardrobe months in you’re a cool-under-stress memorizer, advance, got my car tuned and tires pressured, and, with af- or, perhaps, Betty Adcock was right, ghan and poems packed, I went through the yonder of wild whispering solace when I passed her seat, gray, past the vast expanse of Pittsboro and Sanford. I before I backed down into mine. wheeled past horse barns and pastures to the sprawling reno- “Remember,” she said, “it’s better vation of wonder, that place that I fold myself into every to keep them wanting more.” winter, to emerge bright as an afterthought. But, before the, “bright as … ” part, something happened that I can but only now put into poetic form:

Gift of the Muse(s)

The Gift of the Muse drawing at • Clio (fame-giver) muse of history One myth says that after defeating the the May meeting will be for a special • Erato (awakener of desire) muse Titans in an epic battle, the gods asked poetry-related item for a lucky mem- of erotic or love poetry Zeus, the king of gods, to “create di- ber or visitor. But of course, the • Melpomene (mother of the Sirens) vinities capable of leading a celebra- Muse is more than just a prize at our muse of tragedies and elegies tory victory feast.” He “bedded poetry meeting. Have you ever won- • Euterpe (joy giver) muse of lyric Mnemosyne” (the Titan goddess of dered about the origins of the Muse? poetry memory), who gave birth to nine Actually, according to a recent article • Polyhymnia (many hymns) muse daughters, the Muses. in the Q&A section of the Chapel of songs or hymns to the gods, and Another myth, attributed to Socrates, Hill Herald, Greek mythology de- the art of mimicry says that locusts came into being from scribes the Muses as nine goddesses, • Terpsichore (lover of dancing) men who were so overcome with de- daughters of Zeus, who presided over muse of dancing and choral song light when the Muses brought song to song and poetry and the arts and sci- the world that they sang constantly, • Thalia (festive) muse of comedy ences. The nine Muses are: forgetting to eat or drink until they

• Urania (heavenly) muse of astron- eventually died. The moral is: cele- • Calliope (beautiful voice) muse of omy epic and heroic poetry brate your Muse, but be sure to eat!

April 1, 2002 6 NC Poetry Society

Poetry notebook and Tribute poems KUDOS!

Poetry notebook

For the May 18 meeting you may bring Nancy K. Connolly one of your poems, published or unpub- Austin, TX lished, typed on no more than three sheets of 8½" x 11" paper, any color, suitable for a At the January 2001 NCPS meeting, member-poet Nancy Kenney three-ring binder notebook that will be on Connolly and painter Jeannine Sharkey gave a workshop on their collabora- display during the meeting. Put your name tion. They have now published a book of their paired paintings and poems. in the upper right-hand corner of each page 33 Shades of Green is available from Nancy ([email protected]) for $10 of the poem. Poems will not be judged, and plus $1.50 for shipping. all will be destroyed (recycled) at the end of the day unless you pick up your copy Charles Edward Eaton beforehand. Chapel Hill

If you prefer to mail your poem in advance The Man from Buena Vista, Eaton’s 22nd book, is his first collection of se- of the meeting (same rules as above), lected nonfiction. Though first and foremost an autobiography, it includes mailed poems must reach Sandra Spach no later than May 15 at 121 Chipmunk Trail, critical essays, many autobiographical in nature. The book is available from Boone, NC 28607. Associated University Presses, (609) 655-4770, for $25 per copy, ISBN 0- 8453-4878-7. Also, during the past year, numerous poems by Eaton have Tribute poems appeared in a wide variety of literary magazines.

Poetry Society members who would like to Nancy King share poems in honor or in memory of other Jacksonville members, as well as friends and family members who have contributed to Poetry Nancy has been chosen to read in the Blumenthal Writers and Readers Society activities, may place poems in a Spring 2002 Series. She will read at 7:30 p.m., April 19, at Methodist Col- special Tribute Notebook, to be kept perma- lege in Fayetteville. nently at Weymouth. If you would like to submit a poem, on 8½" x 11" paper, please Brenda K. Ledford type the following at the top of the page: “In Hayesville honor of [name]” or “In memory of [name],” the date of your submission, and Brenda gave a reading at the dedication ceremony of the Food Pantry in your name. Send poems to Sandra Spach, as Hayesville. Her poem was enacted by the drama ministries at Young Harris above. College.

C. Pleasants York Award-Winning Poems Sanford 2002 Carolyn’s poem “Gorging Glory” was published in Branches, and her Each member of the Poetry Society memoir about service stations, “Put a Tiger in Your Tank,” was published receives a free copy of AWP, distributed in the January 2002 edition of Urban Hiker. at the May meeting. If you cannot at- tend in May, perhaps a friend can pick

up your copy for you. If not, you can Asheboro and Randolph County order your free copy from Emily Poetic Interpretations: Motorcycle poetry ELKIN Hancock (see back page for address). Month of September April 28 For all orders, please send $2 postage for the first book and $1.50 for each ad- NCPS member John Ferree and the Randolph rd ditional copy. Arts Guild will place motorcycles in selected The 3 Annual classrooms as a project to encourage high school Foothills Favorite Poem students to create their own interpretation of the Project The North Carolina Collection, machines. Teachers will select best efforts to dis- University of North Carolina Library play on September 18. John will complete a Wilson Library, C.B. 3930, Chapel Hill, NC three-week motorcycle tour, by riding his machine For details contact 27599-3930 into the Art Guild Gallery, where he will read his Bill Griffin One copy of this issue of the newsletter has own poetic musings from the saddle of his motor- [email protected] been donated to The North Carolina Collection cycle. Contact John for more details. His e-mail is: for reference and safe-keeping. [email protected]

April 1, 2002 7 NC Poetry Society

Campaign for Honoraria Brockman-Campbell Book Award Your contributions are essential! Deadline for Receipt: Our campaign goal is to establish an endowment to generate ongo- ing funds to make honoraria payments to all of the featured present- May 10, 2002 ers at the Poetry Society’s regular meetings. The Poetry Society can- not currently reimburse our presenters adequately for their time and professional expertise. You’re welcome to send Campaign for Hono- • The contest, with Maxine Kumin as raria donations at any time, and contributions of all sizes are much judge this year, is open to poets who pub- appreciated. All donors will be recognized in the newsletter. lished a book-length volume of poetry in As always, when making a donation, you may designate any par- 2001. Entrants must be native-born North ticular area that you want to support or contribute to the General Carolinians or current residents who have Fund. If not otherwise specified, all contributions given during the lived in the state for three years at the time campaign will be deposited to the honoraria endowment. Mail your of the book’s publication. checks, payable to NCPS, to Kay Cheshire at 5410 Chatfield Sq., • To be considered, a book must be a first Greensboro, NC 27410. edition by a single author, and it must con- tain more than 20 pages of poetry. An- The NCPS contribution categories are listed below. thologies are not acceptable. The book Guarantor Patron must have a 2001 copyright date, or the $1,000+ $100-249 publisher must certify the copyright by letter.

Benefactor Friend $500-999 $50-99 • An entry containing poems included in a previous volume that won the Brockman- Sponsor Contributor Campbell Book Award is not eligible. $250-499 $5-49 • The Brockman-Campbell winner will be notified by July 15, 2002, and will be in-

vited to read at the North Carolina Poetry RECENT GIFTS Society’s September 21, 2002, meeting, to

Sponsor be held at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, Southern Pines. William M. Hendricks Family Foundation

Friend $150 CASH PRIZE

Jim Kacian • A $150 cash prize and a silver Revere

The Country Bookshop bowl will be presented to one winner only.

Book sales and a signing will also occur.

If you would like to support one of the NCPS’s other major programs, Each submission should include the fol- please contact the treasurer (see back page). lowing: one copy of the book, a brief bio- graphical sketch of the author, a stamped postcard (for acknowledging receipt of the book), and a business-sized, stamped, self- RENEW IN MAY addressed envelope for the announcement Membership rates are as follows of the winner. The entry may be submitted

by the poet or by the book publisher. Student $10 / Regular $25 / Lifetime $400. Entry fee: The fee for nonmembers of the Please send membership checks, payable to NCPS, to Guy and North Carolina Poetry Society is $10. Carolyn York, 315 North Steele Street, Sanford, NC 27330. See p. (Please make checks payable to North 12 for details of membership. Carolina Poetry Society.) Members of the Society pay no entry fee.

The Gorgon Goddess (ISBN 0-932112-43-9) by Evie Shockley is available Mail entries to: Ann Garbett, Department immediately at the Regulator Bookshop on Ninth Street in Durham or from of English, Averett College, Danville, VA Carolina Wren Press, 120 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701; fax (919) 245- 24541. 3672. The price is $12.95 plus 6% sales tax and $3.50 shipping.

April 1, 2002 8 NC Poetry Society

BOOK ROOM POLICY April is National Poetry Month May 18

Each April since 1996, the Academy of American Poets has sponsored Books by many of our members will be National Poetry Month (NPM) to bring together “publishers, booksell- on sale during the registration period and ers, literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the country at lunch. If you would like to sell your to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.” own book, please bring copies and a This year, NPM celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of business-sized envelope, marked with Langston Hughes, born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. His first your name, the book title, and the price. book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published by Alfred A. Knopf in Please note that the Poetry Society has 1926. Hughes, primarily influenced by the works of Paul Lawrence Dun- specific guidelines for selling books at bar, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman, wrote colorful portrayals of black Weymouth, where our storage space is life in America (1920s-1960s) through his novels, short stories, plays, and very limited. poetry. His work was also influenced by the movement and language of

jazz. Hughes died of complications from prostate surgery on May 22, New policy 1967, in New York City. The Academy Web site, www.poets.org, tells

Booksellers are asked to remove all more about Hughes and NPM activities. books, envelopes, and promotional If you wish to visit a North Carolina connection to Langston Hughes, materials at the end of each program. the Carl Sandburg Home is a National Historic Site located in Flat Unclaimed books will not be displayed Rock. Hughes was inspired by Sandburg’s poetry and his interpretations at future meetings. Booksellers are asked of the American experience. Sandburg, a poet, biographer, folksinger, to check with the Books Sales commit- and lecturer, moved his family from the Midwest to North Carolina in tee member on duty before leaving Wey- 1945. His new home, Connemara, offered 30 acres of pasture-land with mouth. Any book payments that are un- the peace and quiet he required for his writing. He wrote over one-third claimed at the end of a meeting will be of his works during his 22 years in Flat Rock. Connemara was also im- mailed to the bookseller, who will be portant to Sandburg’s wife because it offered a perfect setting for the asked to reimburse the Book Sales chair- proper care and raising of her champion dairy goats. person for any postal costs. Books that The Sandburg historic site, managed by the National Park Service, con- are unclaimed through the next meeting sists of “the circa 1838 antebellum house, the 1900’s dairy goat barn of the Society will be donated to a li- complex, sheds, rolling pastures, mountainside woods, walking/hiking brary or other non-profit agency. Book- trails, two small lakes, ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an or- sellers may make special arrangements chard.” To learn more about the Carl Sandburg Home, visit the National for their books to be shipped back, but Park Service Web site at www.nps.gov/carl/. You may also contact Visi- they must prepay all shipment costs. tor Information at (828) 693-4178 or write to 1928 Little River Road, Flat

Rock, NC 28731. An April day in Flat Rock could be the perfect poetry Who may sell books adventure!

» Any member of the Poetry Society

(with dues paid up at time books are POETRY NEEDED THANK YOU sold) or the member’s designee UNC Hospitals for Women and Children Ned & Dotty » Invited speakers, publishers, and Joy Javits Stewart, the coordinator of a Parsons magazine editors (with preference for project to obtain poetry from North Caro- space given to NCPS members) 4215 University Drive linians for use in the new UNC hospitals, Durham, NC 27707 Form to be completed is still seeking submissions by poets from (919) 493-0985 various counties. For full details, contact All booksellers need to complete a Joy at 1027 Highland Woods, Chapel Our newsletter printer! brief form with the Book Sales chairper- Hill, NC 27517; (919) 929-5355; e-mail at son (or assistant) the day of a meeting or TOTAL MEMBERSHIP [email protected] beforehand if possible. 345 as of April 1, 2002

For additional details Members may list their poetry books on the Web

Contact Bill Blackley (see back page) Rebecca Pierre will coordinate the posting of a list of members’ books of or visit the NCPS Web site: poetry on the NCPS Web site, to include: name, title, place of publication, www.sleepycreek.net/poetry date, and contact information for orders. E-mail your information to Rebecca at [email protected]. More information and a submis- sion form can be found at www.sleepycreek.net/poetry.

April 1, 2002 9 NC Poetry Society A playwright’s performance interpretation of Word and Witness

The NCPS anthology Word and ences a century of North Carolina of poetry with her audience. On June Witness: 100 years of North Caro- thoughts and feelings by perform- 22, Clark will offer a sampling from lina Poetry is once again the subject ing many of the poems with the rich “Poetic Voices of North Carolina” at of artistic inspiration for a perform- emotions expressed by these gifted our 70th Anniversary gathering and ing poet. The book, officially un- poets.” the Sam Ragan Poetry Festival. Says veiled at the Poetry Society’s Sep- Clark has been touring as Dickin- Clark of her upcoming performance, tember 18, 1999, meeting, recently son and Bernhardt since 1986. To “I have the honor of speaking these came to the attention of Connie date, she has toured in 18 states in Carolina poems to a gathering of Clark, an actress, playwright, and the U.S., as well as going on tour in Carolina poets.” The festival perform- teacher who tours her own solo- England, Scotland, and Norway. ance will run for about 30 minutes as performance plays as Emily Dickin- She also continues to give perform- a shortened version of her normal son and Sarah Bernhardt. Clark’s ing lectures on Dickinson, Bern- program. newest program is “Poetic Voices of hardt, and poetry in general in li- North Carolina,” with its contents braries and retirement communities, Word and Witness primarily gleaned from Word and and to civic groups and schools— Witness. Says Clark, “As I first read appearing as herself without cos- available through local bookstores Word and Witness last summer, I tume and wig, yet slipping in and Hardback ISBN 0-89089-686-0 was spellbound by these glorious po- out of character as she shares these Paperback ISBN 0-89089-687-9 ems and eager to share with audi- remarkable women and the riches

An Appalachian anthology Richard Chess

A student member of the Poetry Society, Jordan Lari, has, with the help at SRPF of several other students at Appalachian State University (ASU), launched a nonprofit corporation (High Country Student Publishing) to publish The On June 22, one of the featured Sam 2002 Appalachian Anthology (foreword by R. T. Smith). The book, to be Ragan Poetry Festival speakers will be unveiled in late March, is a student-organized-and-executed work of creative Richard Chess, an associate professor nonfiction, poetry, fiction, and short prose submitted by ASU students. of literature and language at the Univer- The idea for the anthology came from Jordan and his fellow student, An- sity of North Carolina at Asheville, drew White. They recognized that ASU provided a setting filled with tal- where he directs the creative writing ented, but mostly unpublished, student writers who needed a student- program and the Center for Jewish friendly outlet for their creative works. From this idea, High Country Stu- Studies. In addition, he is a faculty dent Publishing (HCSP) was established as a nonprofit corporation sup- member in the M.F.A. program at ported by grants and corporate and community sponsors. Queens College of Charlotte. Chess’s The process established to select works for the anthology set an open call poetry has been published in many peri- for submissions of written work from ASU students who possess an ability odicals and in anthologies such as Tell- to write well and who wish to be published. All submissions are judged by ing and Remembering: A Century of members of the HCSP Board of Directors in a workshop-type format. Only American-Jewish Poetry (Beacon Press, works approved by a majority vote of the board are placed in the published 1977) and Ravishing DisUnities: An anthology. Anthology of Real Ghazals (Wesleyan, The HCSP Board is composed of the following ASU students: Jordan Lari, 2000). His first book of poems, Tekiah, Chairperson; Andrew White, Webmaster; Gerald Witt, Publications; Matt was published in 1994 by the Univer- Paden, Treasurer; Joseph Bolich, Artist Relations; Kara Dillow, Marketing sity of Georgia Press, and his second, & Public Relations; Diana Cejas, Artist Relations & Fund Raising; Jenn Chair in the Desert, was released in Wysmuller, Artist Relations; and Elisha Webster, Editorial. 2000 by the University of Tampa Press. One friend of HCSP is NCPS poet member, Keith Flynn, the founder and Of his latest collection, Cynthia Ozick managing editor of The Asheville Poetry Review. On March 6, 2002, Flynn said, “Richard Chess’s poetry is a glass offered an outstanding afternoon-long workshop and an evening reading, through which one sees brightly, complete with poetry and several blues songs, at ASU in Boone during a openly, gladly, thrillingly … life condi- visit to help the anthology project. For more information about HCSP and tioned … by a transcendent Eye.” For the anthology go to: more about Richard, go to: www.unca.edu/lit/chess.htm www.highcountrystudentpublishers.org/anthology/ www.queens.edu/cas/mfa/faculty.htm

April 1, 2002 10 NC Poetry Society THE POETRY COUNCIL OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. 2002 Rules for Annual Poetry Contest

Opening date: March 1, 2002 / Closing date: June 1, 2002

CONTEST CATEGORIES SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Oscar Arnold Young (book contest): $100 1st place and a WHO MAY ENTER: Residents and former residents of North trophy with name engraved, to keep for one year. $50 2nd place. Carolina—persons born in NC, transients from other states who Criteria: Book with 2001 copyright. Must have more than 20 pages. either attend school or work in this state, and NC residents tem- Two (2) copies and $10 entry fee. Send to: Joy Acey, Category Man- porarily out of state. ager, 1111 Monterey Valley Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. HOW TO ENTER A POEM (categories 2-7): Entries must be 2. Charles Shull (traditional poetry): $25 1st place. $15 2nd original and unpublished. You may enter more than one contest, place. $10 3rd place. Criteria: Traditional form; 24 or fewer lines. State the traditional form chosen (e.g., blank verse, ballad, rhyming but with only one entry per category. You may not enter the couplets, villanelle, terza rima, pantoum, ottava rima). No Sonnets in same poem in more than one category. Please check the line this category. Three (3) copies and $5 entry fee. Send to: Rebecca J. limitations for each category, and note that you must indicate Mitchell, Category Manager, 4379 Union Church Rd., McBee, SC your chosen poetic form for the Rutledge and Shull categories. 29101. Category managers will disqualify poems that do not meet the

3. James Larkin Pearson (free verse): $25 1st place. $15 2nd stated criteria. place. $10 3rd place. Criteria: Free verse, including experimental forms; 32 or fewer lines, besides title. Three (3) copies and $5 entry Submit entries (3 typed copies) to the proper Category fee. Send to: Sally Logan, Category Manager, 3701 Stoneycreek Rd., Manager. Do not send entries to the Contest Coordinator. Sub- Chapel Hill, NC 27514. missions will be accepted between March 1 and June 1, 2002.

4. Archibald Rutledge (14-line Shakespearean or Italian son- Do not put your name on any copies of your entries. net): $25 1st place. $15 2nd place. $10 3rd place. Criteria: Theme suited to form selected. Three (3) copies and $5 entry fee. Send to: Include with each entry a 3x5 index card with the following Ellen T. Johnston-Hale, Category Manager, 4221 Lazy River Drive, information (required in all categories, including the Oscar Ar- Durham, NC 27712. nold Young), either typed or printed: 5. Hayman Heritage (free verse): $25 1st place. $15 2nd place. ٠Name of category you are entering 3rd place. Criteria: Free verse, 18 or fewer lines. Subject to be $10 ٠Title of poem or book and copyright date of book entry -The Legacy, Tradition, or Inheritance of Family (wife, husband, par“ .٠Your name, mailing address, and telephone number ”.ents, grandparents, siblings, or others)—how it shapes our lives .٠For Charlotte Young category, include your date of birth ,Three (3) copies and $5 entry fee. Send to: Katherine Barnes Category Manager, 1708 Mayflower Drive, Wilson, NC 27893. Also, write the honor statement “This is my own original

6. Charlotte Young (elementary and middle school students; poem,” and sign your name. any subject or form): $25 1st place. $15 2nd place. $10 3rd place. Criteria: Entries from elementary or middle school students. Any Enclose the entry fee specified for each category. Make checks subject, any form; 24 or fewer lines. Three (3) copies and $3 entry fee. payable to Poetry Council of North Carolina. Keep copies of Send to: Janice Sullivan, Category Manager, 3805 Meredith Drive, your entries. Poems will not be returned. Greensboro, NC 27408. Notification of winners: All winners will be notified by August 7. Sam Ragan North Carolina Connection (high school and 16, 2002. college students; rhymed or free verse): $25 1st place. $15 2nd Poetry Day Awards Luncheon: Winners will be expected to place. $10 3rd place. Criteria: Entries from high school or college students. Rhymed or free verse; subject related to North Carolina; 24 read their poems during the luncheon on Saturday, October 5, or fewer lines. Three (3) copies and $3 entry fee. Send to: Ray 2002, to be held at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. Further Russell, Category Manager, PO Box 52, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526. information will be included in the winners’ notifications.

Contest Coordinator: Nancy Adams, 245 Carrington Lane., In categories 2-7, three honorable mentions will be given, Salisbury, NC 28146. If you write for additional information, in addition to the 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place awards. please include a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope.

CERTIFICATES, READINGS, PUBLICATION ABOUT THE POETRY COUNCIL

Winning poets will receive a certificate and are expected to The North Carolina Poetry Council promotes an annual contest read at the Poetry Day Awards Luncheon (details at right). and secures notable writers and teachers as judges. Since its in- ception, the Council and the North Carolina Poetry Society have Selected poems from the winning books in category 1, along functioned as sister organizations. The Council does not solicit with 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-place, and honorable-mention poems in nor maintain a general membership. For details contact Rebecca categories 2-7, will be published in the 2002 edition of Bay J. Mitchell, President, 4379 Union Church Rd., McBee, SC Leaves. 29101, (843) 335-6676; [email protected] .

April 1, 2002 11 NC Poetry Society NCPS board members and committee chairs The North Carolina Poetry Society President Member At Large Cary, NC 27511 Organized in Charlotte – 1932 Bill Blackley David Manning (919) 469-3654 105 Knollwood Drive 102 Summerwinds Drive [email protected] Meetings: The Society holds Elkin, NC 28621 Cary, NC 27511 regular meetings each third Sat- Brockman-Campbell Book Award (336) 835-4630 [email protected] urday of January, May, and Ann Garbett [email protected] September. A day of poetry and Janice Sullivan 931 Green Street 1st Vice President, Programs 3805 Meredith Dr. Danville, VA 245541 programs is held from 10 a.m. Nancy C. King Greensboro, NC 27408 (804) 797-5770 until 3 p.m. The Society also 402 Decatur Rd. (336) 282-4032 [email protected] sponsors Sam Ragan Poetry Jacksonville, NC 28540 [email protected] Festival on the fourth Saturday Contest Judges (910) 346-3877 Priscilla Webster-Williams in June each year. All meetings [email protected] COMMITTEE CHAIRS: 6543 New Market Way are held at Weymouth Center 2nd Vice President, Student Contests Publicity Raleigh, NC 27615 for the Arts & Humanities, 555 Libby Campbell Ed Seel [email protected] E. Connecticut Ave., Southern 131 Woodview Dr. 107 Maple Dr. Membership Development Pines, NC. Statesville, NC 28677 Asheville, NC 28805 Neil D. Ray (704) 878-9129 (828) 298-5413 Newsletter: The Society news- 839-A Prince St. [email protected] [email protected] letter is published three times a Fayetteville, NC 28031 year in April, August, and 3rd Vice President, Membership Long-range Planning (910) 630-0533 Guy and Carolyn York Kay Nelson Cheshire [email protected] December. Deadlines for article 315 North Steele St. 5410 Chatfield Square submissions are the first day of Book Sales & Promo Sanford, NC 27330 Greensboro, NC 27410 March, July, and November. Emily E. Hancock (919) 776-7525 [email protected] Direct submissions to the Corre- 26 Sabbatia Drive [email protected] sponding Secretary. Poet Laureate Award Whispering Pines, NC 28327 Recording Secretary & Adult Contest (910) 949-3352 Membership: Rates are Stu- Michael H. Ivey [email protected] John Ferree dent $10, Regular $25, Lifetime 802 Churchill 4485 Fork Creek Mill Rd. Workshops Chapel Hill, NC 27604 $400. Any interested person my Seagrove, NC 27341 Margaret Parrish (919) 967-7847 join. Dues are payable when (336) 879-5337 1109 Mordecai Drive [email protected] joining and in May each year. [email protected] Raleigh, NC 27604 New members joining after De- Corresponding Secretary (919) 828-6348 Webmasters cember 1 but before May 1 will Ed Cockrell Ray Dotson [email protected] 102 Cameron Glen Drive be counted as if they joined in 174 Quail Drive Campaign for Honoraria Chapel Hill, NC 27516 May, and they will not need to Dudley, NC 28333 Lois R. Wistrand (919) 967-5834 renew their membership until (919) 735-7765 PO Box 4363 [email protected] May of the following renewal [email protected] Pinehurst, NC 28374 year. Please send membership Treasurer Earl Huband (910) 295-8390 Bill Griffin 6543 New Market Way [email protected] checks (payable to NCPS) to 131 Bon Aire Rd. Guy & Carolyn York, 315 Raleigh, NC 27615 Book Citations Coordinator Elkin, NC 28621 (919) 431-0064 Rebecca Pierre North Steele St., Sanford, NC (336) 835-7598 [email protected] 129 NE 36th St. 27330. [email protected] Oak Island, NC 28465 Need to Carpool? AWP Dedication (910) 278-9232 Contact the Yorks, as above, for Elizabeth Hoyt [email protected] a list of members near you. 308 King Charles Lane

POSTAGE North Carolina Poetry Society Ed Cockrell, Corresponding Secretary GOES 102 Cameron Glen Drive HERE Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Important dates

May 18—spring meeting of the Poetry Society & dues renewal

June 22—Sam Ragan Poetry Festival

July 1—fall newsletter submissions are due

September 21—fall meeting of the Poetry Society

Please visit our Web site, www.sleepycreek.net/poetry, maintained by Webmasters Ray Dotson and Earl Huband.

April 1, 2002 12 NC Poetry Society