NC Poetry Society

Winter 2003 Winter meeting Saturday, January 17 A Wintry Feast Weymouth Center Southern Pines for Mind and Soul

9:15 Registration, order and pay for lunch A new adventure… (cut-off time is 10:15) Don’t miss the gathering The Gilbert-Chappell on January 17! 10:00 Business meeting Distinguished Poet Series Three distinguished poets—Mark 10:15 Mark Smith-Soto For information about this Smith-Soto, Gail Peck, and Lynn exciting new series, see page 4. Veach Sadler—will present an en- 11:00 Break gaging and informative program at our next meeting on January 17, IMPORTANT NOTICE 11:15 Gail Peck just what you need to jumpstart the The 2004 May meeting (Awards Day) new writing year. You may want to 12:00 Box lunch ($8.50) will be held May 22 (the 4th Saturday, bring pen and paper to take notes. or bring your own not the 3rd as usual). The three guest poets will include The 2004 Sam Ragan Poetry Festival 1:15 Lynn Veach Sadler will be held on June 19 some of their own work in the ses- (the 3rd Saturday). sions and will come together for a 2:00 Panel discussion panel discussion in the afternoon.

2:30 Open mike THE NEWS INSIDE There will be opportunities for you to purchase books and have (one poem, one page) 2 President’s message them signed. As usual, we’ll top 3 Winter program January 17 off the day with open mike. Please LUNCH note the schedule and lunch infor- INSTRUCTIONS 4—5 Distinguished Poet Series mation to the left. 195 will provide a box lunch for 6 Welcome, new members! $8.50 (tax included) See page 3 about the guest 7 Program Endowment, Kudos! Choose: chicken salad sandwich poets and the program or tuna salad sandwich 8 Interview with Gail Peck or vegetarian salad. Sweet iced tea is included. 9 Poetry Society award endowments NOTICE Order and pay for lunch until 10:15. Election of Poetry Society officers You will receive a lunch ticket. 10—11 NCPS contest guidelines will be held at a brief business meeting 12—13 NCPS 2004 contest judges at the January 17 meeting. 13 “Growing Young Poets” flourishes See page 14 for the slate 14—15 Notices, Elon & NCPS workshops

16 Officers and committee chairs of nominations.

Winter 2003/2004 North Carolina Poetry Society President’s message

Dear friends in poetry, available at meetings and on the and so many others work hard to website for volunteer teacher to go make Pinesong happen. Reward You make the Poetry Society into classrooms. (See page 13.) them by sending in your poems. what it is today. Thanks for your time, energy, dues, and dona- The third spoke is outreach to com- A very special thanks to Gail tions and, especially, your crea- munity poetry groups, and this is Peck and Pepper Worthington. tive presence. We’ve come a where all of us can help the Poetry Each recently endowed a poetry long way in 71 years and it is Society the most. We want to link contest category. See the article indeed on your shoulders that the public with local poetry groups on Gail Peck in this issue, and future Poetry Society members around the state by providing con- look for one on Pepper in the fu- will stand. I predict they will be tact information for those groups in ture. Their gifts will free up money grateful and appreciative. If you our newsletter and on the web site. for other needed areas, such as have thoughts or energy to share, helping to keep our meeting home please contact one of your board A key feature of these outreach at Weymouth safe and secure. members or me. Our contact in- efforts is that they are stand-alone formation is listed on the back items and, for the most part, they Finally, if you’re a new member, page of every newsletter. will be financially self-sustaining. we hope to meet you January 17 at For instance, we have full funding Weymouth. Please join us for the Your board, with the volunteer for the Distinguished Poet Series, fun. If you are a long- time mem- professional help of member thanks to the beneficence of Marie ber, come to renew your friend- Mary Santiago of Elon Univer- Gilbert. ships, meet new members, and sity, has formulated a new long- learn from our January program range plan. The essential ele- A new item some of you may al- presenters Mark Soto-Smith, Lynn ments are gradual growth, con- ready know about is that we are Veach Sadler, and Gail Peck. tinuation of our fine tradition and planning an e-mail contact system programs, and three new with intermittent e-mail messages Warmly, Bill Blackley “spokes” of outreach to further from the president or vice-president. our mission. A copy of the long- We won’t inundate you with news § § § range plan will be available at but want to stay in electronic touch, the January meeting. as well as continue our regular con- Important notice about getting tacts by means of the newsletter. If your copy of the 2003 Pinesong The first spoke is the Gilbert- you have e-mail and want to be in- Chappell Distinguished Poet Se- cluded and if you do not receive an If you don’t already have your ries, described on pages 4-5. e-mail from me in December, please copy of Poetry Society’s 2003 anthol- Three distinguished poets from contact e-mail coordinator Faye ogy, Pinesong, you or a friend can three different geographic areas Dozier at [email protected]. pick one up at a Poetry Society meet- of the state will mentor a total of ing. Doing so will save expenses for the organization. As a service to nine students a year in poetry Now is the time to enter the Pine- members who are unable to pick up and then read with them at a song poetry contests. Be bold and their copy of the 2003 Pinesong, your public event, one each in the enter the Poet Laureate category, as board recently voted to mail copies to eastern, middle and western re- well as many of the others. Dust off those who request that service. gions of the state. your poems, buff them up, or write If you or a friend are unable to pick new ones. You have until January 8 up your copy, please contact Jan Hil- The second spoke is increased to get contest entries to John Ferree. ton she will mail the anthology at no outreach to schools. Libby Encourage young poets to enter the expense to you. Jan’s address is: Campbell and Caren Stuart have contests as well. Contest Chairs 1005 Marilyn Dr., Raleigh NC 27607. developed teacher lesson plans Libby Campbell and John Ferree Or, email [email protected]

The NCPS Winter Gathering—January 17 Three distinguished poets will present an engaging and informative program Please note the schedule and lunch information on the first page

“Poetry and Politics: “How Does a Poet Know “Crafting the Poem Never Mix, Never What to Send Where?” of Grief” Worry?” Lynn Veach Sadler, of San- Gail Peck, of Charlotte, will Mark Smith-Soto, Costa ford, will speak on every speak about the transformation Rican-American poet, play- poet’s marketing conundrum. of emotion into something art- wright, and professor of Formerly a college president in ful. Peck is a graduate of the Spanish at UNCG, will Vermont, Sadler has won The MFA Program for Writers at speak on the relation of po- Pittsburgh Quarterly’s 2001 Warren Wilson College and etry and social and political Hay Prize; tied for first place has taught creative writing for concerns. in Kalliope’s 2002 Elkind Con- the adult education degree He is the author of two test; was runner-up for the program at Queens University books and many scholarly 2002 Spoon River Poetry Re- of Charlotte. Her chapbook articles, and his poetry has view Editor’s Prize; and won New River won the NCWN appeared in numerous publi- the Poetry Society of Amer- Harperprints Poetry Chapbook cations. His chapbook ica’s 2003 Hemley Award and Competition; and her chap- Green Mango Collage won Asphodel’s 2003 Poetry Con- book Foreshadow, published the Persephone Press Book test. Her chapbook Poet Geog- in 2003, was a finalist in Main Award (now the Mary Belle raphy won the Lee Witte Po- Street Rag’s Contest. A full- Campbell Poetry Book Pub- etry Contest and was published length collection, Drop Zone, lication Award) in 2000, and in the Mount Olive College won the Texas Review Break- he was the winner of Chiron Poetry Series, 2003. Mothers through Contest. Her poetry Review’s Poetry Contest in of the Disappeared, a full- has appeared in many maga- 2000. Another collection, length collection, was a finalist zines and anthologies, includ- Shafts, won the NCWN for the 2000 Bakeless Prize of ing Word and Witness: 100 2001 Randall Jarrell/ the Bread Loaf Writers’ Con- Years of Poetry in North Harperprints Poetry Chap- ference. Her short stories, Carolina. She has received book Competition. His first plays, and unpublished novel grants from both the Vermont full-length collection of po- have won numerous awards. Studio Center and the Virginia etry, Our Lives Are Rivers, She also has received an Ex- Center for the Arts. was recently published by traordinary Undergraduate An interview exploring Florida University Press. Teaching Award and Distin- Peck’s life in poetry can be Smith-Soto has conducted guished Women of North found on page 8. poetry workshops and Carolina Award for education. served as editor of Interna- tional Poetry Review.

Beginning this year, three established poets will be designated Distinguished Poets and each will be paired with three promising young poets — one each in middle school, high school, and college — in a mentorship that will last approximately six months. Each student will work with his or her Distinguished Poet on a dozen pages of poetry, meet in-person, work on spoken presentation, and then present his or her poetry with the Distin- guished Poet at three different locations in the state. Three regions of the state have committees to select the Distinguished Poet and students. Committee members in the east include Marty Silverthorne, Nancy Carol King, Jim Clark, Becky Smith, and Kathy James. In the middle of the state – Ron Bayes or Larry Wayne Johns; and in the western part of the state, Pat Riviere-Seel or Bud Caywood. Information about the first two Distinguished Poet Series readings is presented on this page and the next. The third reading will be will be held in October in the western part of the state at a location to be announced. Details will appear in a future issue of the newsletter.

Larry Wayne Johns and student poets will read on March 18 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College, Laurinburg

The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series reading will take place at St. Andrews Presbyterian College on March 18 at 8 p.m. in the main lounge of Pate Hall. The reading will feature the Distinguished Poet from the central region of the state, Larry Wayne Johns, along with three student poets (one from middle school, one from high school, and one from college) from the central region of North Carolina.

The students will be selected by application and/or nomination, and will work with Johns individually on their poems and reading skills. The mentoring process will culminate in the March 18 reading at St. Andrews. The event is free and open to the public and will be a part of the weekly Writer’s Forum on campus. The Writer’s Forum, in its 36th year, has hosted such notable readers as Robert Creeley, Carolyn Kizer, James Laughlin, Fred Chappell and Gozo Yoshimasu.

Distinguished Poet Larry Wayne Johns was selected by the St.Andrews’ Central Committee, composed of Ron Bayes, Pete Dulgar, Grace Gibson, and Ted Wojtasik. Nominations/applications for student poets may be sent to Ron Bayes, Department of English, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, NC, 28352.

Larry Wayne Johns received his Ph.D. from Florida State University, where he was a Kingsbury Fellow. His awards include a Reader’s Choice Award from Prairie Schooner, an Editor’s Choice Award from Mid-American Review, and the first annual Frank O’Hara Award for his chapbook, An Invisible Veil Between Us. His manuscript, Brutal Afterlife, was a finalist for 2002 The National Poetry Series. Johns is currently Assistant Professor of Writing at St. Andrews.

The public is invited to the reading. For directions to St. Andrews College, contact the Humanities and Fine Arts Division, 910-277-5000.

Winter 2003/2004 4 North Carolina Poetry Society

THE DISTINGUISHED POET SERIES Thanks to the generosity of Marie Gilbert, the guidance of former state Poet Laureate Fred Chappell, and the work of Sharon Sharp, Sally Buckner, Lois Wistrand and many others, the Poetry Society is offering a unique opportunity to students and established poets across our state. Walking Into April: Crooner and Conjure Woman April 10, 2004 Barton College, Wilson, NC Poetry Day at the Ragan Writing Center Featuring Distinguished Poet Shelby Stephenson and Jaki Shelton-Greene

Walking into April is the second Eastern North Carolina Poetry Day sponsored by the Poetry Society at Bar- ton College in the spirit of Sam Ragan. This year, it is our privilege to host the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet in harmony with our Walking into April event. Poets for this year are Shelby Stephenson and Jaki Shelton-Greene. The event will be similar to last year’s with the addition of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet series. An open mike session will conclude the day, so bring a poem. Two of North Carolina's finest poets will lead the program. Shelby Stephenson is this year’s Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet representing Eastern North Carolina. Stephenson has published numerous books that include Middle Creek Poems, Carolina Shout, The Persimmon Tree Carol, Finch’s Mash, Fiddle-De-De, Poor People, and Plankhouse. His poems have appeared in many journals. He is the editor of Pembroke Magazine and has been a stalwart in the literary scene. Jaki Shelton-Greene is a dynamic poet/performer who has published several books: Dead on Arrival, Masks, Dead on Arrival and New Poems, and Conjure Blues. She has also published Blue Opal, a play. Conjure Blues, her latest book, was published in 1996. Her poems have appeared in Crucible, The African-American Review, Ms and Essence magazines, and Obsidian. She is currently compiling a collection of short stories and a poetry manuscript, as well as her first novel. She is an advocate for the voiceless and the arts. Stephenson and Shelton-Greene will begin the day reading from their works and discussing their methods, literary influences, and the importance of carrying the message of literature. The student poets chosen by the Distinguished Poet will read during the morning and also kick off the open mike event after lunch.

Walking into April

Registration Deadline: April 1, 2004

9:00-9:30 Registration & coffee 9:30 –9:45 Welcome & introduction 9:45-10:45 Shelby Stephenson 10:45-11:00 Student poets 11:00-12:00 Jaki Shelton-Greene 12:00-1:00 Lunch catered by Barton College 1:00 1:15 Student poets 1:15-3:00 Open mike 3:00 Closing remarks

Register by sending a check for $8.50 for lunch. Make check out to Barton College. Mail to: Katherine Barnes 1708 Mayflower Dr. Wilson, NC 27893

Winter 2003/2004 5 North Carolina Poetry Society

WELCOME! NEW MEMBERS HERE’S TO THE POETS by C. Pleasants York While doing research for an article for Writers’ Ink Guild, I had the opportunity to again read Here’s to the Land. Published in 1992, Here’s to the Land is an anthology marking a celebration of sixty years of the North Carolina Poetry Society. For me, it also marked my first published poem as an adult and the beginning of my membership in the Poetry Society. In reading over the table of contents I was delighted to find a list of fa- miliar names. In it are people I have shared time with at board meetings or talked to over the phone. Some are e-mail bud- dies, and others I’ve met at the registration desk during the years that Guy and I have served as Membership Chairs. So many of these people are long-time members of NCPS and have offered talent and support over the years. I salute you — Here’s to the Poets! And to the new members, I welcome you to the tradition of The North Carolina Poetry Society. Sincerely, Carolyn P.S. I realize that some new members would prefer not to include a bio, but if you are new and would like to have a bio printed in the newsletter, please contact me (address on back page). We would love to know more about you!

JOHN CHARLES AMEN MARTHA LEE HEINZ Angela Kelly was awarded a fellow- A resident of Asheville, Lisa Sisk 6815 HONORS COURT 252 MCDAIR MID ROAD ship from The South Carolina Com- holds an MA in English from SUNY – CHARLOTTE, NC 28210 PINEHURST, NC 28374 mission of the Arts in 1998-99. She is Buffalo and a Ph.D. from the Univer- (704) 643-0244 (910) 28374 the author of three poetry chapbooks, sity of Wisconsin. After a career in [email protected] most recently weighing the body back industrial marketing, she recently re- John Amen’s debut poetry collection, MARY HENNESSY down, winner of the Tennessee Chap- tired and returned to poetry, her for- Christening the Dancer, was released 3117 STANHOPE AVE. book Prize (Middle Tennessee State mer love. by Uccelli Press in March 2003. He RALEIGH, NC 27607 U. 1996). She has had poems pub- has published poetry and fiction in (919) 835-4763 lished in many journals, including PRISCILLA WAITE various journals, and was recently m [email protected] Nimrod, North American Review, 105 SUDLEY CT. nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He is Asheville Poetry Review, Slipstream, DURHAM, NC 27712 also a musician and artist. Please visit DEBBIE JEAN HUTCHINSON Kalliope, Rhino, Inkwell, Rosebud, [email protected] his web site: www.johnamen.com. 1700 WHIPPLE ROAD, 12-C and Rattle. She has been awarded I wrote my first poem at the age of 19, Amen is founder and editor of the MT. PLEASANT, SC 29464 fellowships to the Vermont Studio and now have two published. All my online bimonthly Pedestal Magazine. (843) 216-5514 Center and The Virginia Center of the poems are written from my own life [email protected] Arts. She holds a degree of English experiences and experiences of others CAROL CAPUTO I am a NC native, moved to SC three Literature from the University of I’ve met along the way. 554 OAK TREE ROAD years ago. In 1997, my chapbook South Carolina and is originally from MOORESVILLE, NC 28117 Legacy of Storms placed fourth in the Black Mountain, NC. GAIL WILLIAMSON (704) 664-9802 NC Writers‘ Network competition. I 118 FORD STREET have published poetry in Hollins DAVID MARTIN THOMASVILLE, NC 27360 JEAN CARVER Critic, Lyricist, and in Cured by Fire. 6930 SOUTHSTAFF ROAD (336) 472-5759 861 KNOWLWOOD VILLAGE I am a high school English teacher FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28306 [email protected] SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387 with a masters degree from NCSU, (910) 424-7612 (910) 692-8351 and was an undergraduate student of [email protected] ANNE BLUE WILLS Shelby Stevenson and Anna Wooten 10421 FRIARSGATE ROAD M. SCOTT DOUGLASS Hawkins. MICHELE MOVIUS HUNTERSVILLE, NC 28078 4416 SHEA LANE 3471 THAMESFORD ROAD (704) 895-4902 CHARLOTTE, NC 28227 RODNEY JACK FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28311 [email protected] (704) 573-2516 PO BOX 12 (910) 826-7204 [email protected] LAURINBURG, NC 28353 [email protected] MEMBER UPDATES (910) 277-5456 [email protected] SUE FARLOW A student at Saint Andrew’s College, CAROLYN F. NOELL MARY ELIZABETH 5634 MACK LINEBERRY ROAD Rodney studies under Ron Bayes. PO BOX 1755 NORDSTROM has moved to CLIMAX, NC 27233 DAVIDSON, NC 28036 7220-4 Stonecliff Drive (336) 685-7006 WAYNE JOHNS (704) 892-0020 Raleigh, NC 27615 502 FAIRLY STREET [email protected] (919) 676-5625 MARIA FIRE LAURINBURG, NC 28352 [email protected] 17 MARNE ROAD (910) 291-9965 ELIZABETH (PENNY) ASHEVILLE, NC 28803 [email protected] O’DONNELL (828) 253- 5589 Wayne studies poetry with Ron Bayes 103 DOWNING PLACE JAN HILTON’s address is: [email protected] at Saint Andrews College, Laurinburg. SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387 1005 Marilyn Drive In her fiftieth year, Maria Fire began (910) 692-6408 Raleigh, NC 27607 writing poetry. She has published in ROWANNE E. JOYNER [email protected] 919-833-0687 Dust and Fire, Western North Caro- 1816 NASSAU BLVD. [email protected] lina Women, and The News and CHARLOTTE, NC 28205 DANNYE G. POWELL Observer. She and her husband live (704) 378 – 1502 700 EAST PARK AVENUE Long-time member in Asheville, with two sons nearby. [email protected] CHARLOTTE, NC 28203 and former NCPS Treasurer, (704) 334-0902 Brenda Lawlor, has married. KRISTEN GILLESPIE ANGELA KELLY LISA SISK Her new name & address is: 6836 THAMES DRIVE PO BOX 8395 1101 TIMBER TRAIL BRENDA BIRMELIN FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28306 SPARTANBURG, SC 29305 ASHEVILLE, NC 28804 146 NW 8 Street (910) 424-3831 (864) 594-5310 (828) 254-4003 Oak Island, NC 28465 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Winter 2003/2004 6 North Carolina Poetry Society

2003 Program Endowment through November 14 KUDOS ! totals $1,635

RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS Jim Clark Wilson, NC RECEIVED Writer-in-Residence at Barton College, Jim has Judith Settle • Celisa Steele recorded a CD of poems and Appalachian folk music Bill Blackley • Michael Ivey entitled Buried Land, available from Eternal Delight Judy Hench • Sally Buckner Productions. His edition of Fable in the Blood: Se- Cheryl Bynum • Bill Griffin lected Poems of Byron Herbert Reece (U of Georgia Press, 2002), was nominated for Book of the Year Elizabeth Campbell by the Appalachian Writers Association. He guest Susan Meyers • Julie Suk edited a special section on Byron Herbert Reece for Sharon Sharp • Earl Huband the spring 2003 issue of Appalachian Heritage, and Priscilla Webster-Williams his article on Reece, “A Strong and Lonely Voice,” appeared in the winter 2003 issue of Now & Then magazine. Clark gave a reading in the “Poets Among Your generosity — time, talent, money — Us” series of the 2002 Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry is the backbone for continuing growth and success Festival. He was also commissioned to write the of the North Carolina Poetry Society Centennial Poem for Barton College’s Centennial Celebration, and read the poem, “New Light,” at When making a donation, designate any particular area that Barton’s Centennial Gala Weekend. you want to support, or you may contribute to the general fund. If not otherwise specified, all contributions will be Bill Griffin deposited to the program endowment. Make checks payable Elkin, NC to NCPS, and mail to Kay Cheshire, 5410 Chatfield Square, Bill’s first poetry chapbook manuscript, Barb Quill Greensboro, NC 27410. Down, placed fifth in the National Looking Glass The North Carolina Poetry Society is a 501 (c) (3) Chapbook Competition and will be published in organization as defined by the IRS. You may be able to claim a 2004 by Pudding House (www.puddinghouse.com). tax deductible contribution under Section 170 of the Code. Please consult your tax preparer. Brenda Kay Ledford Hayesville, NC Brenda’s poetry has appeared in Lights in the Mountains, Nomad’s Choir, Mohave, Hard Row to KUDOS ! Hoe, The Lightning Bell Poetry Journal, Iodine Po- etry Journal, and Thorny Locust. She recently gave readings at the John C. Campbell Folk School and Joanna McKethan the Hiawassee First United Methodist Church. Dunn, NC Glenda Slater Joanna has poems forthcoming in the 2003 Ashe- Wilmington, NC ville Poetry Review, in the 2003 Crucible, and in the In September, Glenda’s poem “Fortieth Anniver- Writer’s Ink’s Anthology. She won First Place in the sary Checkup” was selected as a winner and pub- 2003 Writer’s Digest Nonrhyming Poetry Contest. lished in The Orange County (CA) Register’s annual The award includes a prize of $750 and $100 in International Longevity Light Verse Contest. Writer’s Digest books.

Winter 2003/2004 7 North Carolina Poetry Society

Gail Peck talks about writing poetry and why she endowed a contest category Interview by Bud Caywood

Caywood: When did you feel that you got your call as a them to be; in the poem you at least have control over the poet? shaping of those events. My mother was a very beautiful Peck: As a child I liked writing poems for my mother on woman. Unfortunately, her marriages to two military special occasions. As I grew older, and read literature in men never brought her happiness. Most of the poems are school, I was intrigued by poems because they were about my stepfather, a very confused man, who made all harder to understand than stories. But it was really when of us pay for his anger and frustration, most especially my I lived in New Orleans that I started writing poetry seri- sister Sherry, who was his real daughter. ously. There was a group called the New Orleans Poetry Caywood: I admire the way you write about your family Forum that held open workshops each week, and when I and your willingness to expose how you feel about your went there and saw the good work they were doing I experiences. Have you used writing poetry as a way to knew I wanted a life as a poet. release that emotion? Caywood: Have you ever found that your energies have Peck: Writing about emotions has been proven to have dissipated? therapeutic value, but I don’t consider the poems to be Peck: Yes, after I finished the MFA program at Warren therapy, which is something else entirely. What to write Wilson I was worn out with poetry, and needed a break. and not write about is probably the greatest responsibility There are times now when I just want to leave writing for of a writer, especially one who’s not writing fiction. You a while, to spend time soaking up the world. But it gets are exposing the family secrets, making people feel vul- frightening to stay away too long because it always takes nerable when they have no control over what you write. nerve to write. I heard the poet Mark Doty talk about this issue. He did say, however, that he felt your childhood belonged to Caywood: In your career you’ve worked in several you. I mostly keep my poetry from my family so as not genres—essays, poetry, prose—but always comes back to to inflict any harm, and that gives me the freedom I need poetry. You’re a woman of letters to yourself. What has to write. If you block all strong emotion, you’ll never get led you to this style of writing? beyond the surface of your poem. Peck: I feel I am a natural poet; the other writing takes even more effort. I’m not especially at home in the sen- Caywood: You are honoring your sister, Sherry Pruitt, tence, but like the challenge. Some subjects seem to re- who recently passed away, by endowing a monetary gift quire the expansiveness of prose. Whether what I write to the North Carolina Poetry Society. Talk to me about are letters to myself, I’m unsure. I love letters and write your sister. many each week—on paper, with pen! They may be let- Peck: My sister Sherry, as I said, took the brunt of my ters in the sense that I want to get the emotions and de- father’s anger. She became an alcoholic and was never tails on paper, a dialogue with self. Because I always able to seek help, so her death was a very early one, at the envision a “reader” I craft the work as much as possible. age of 49. She knew I wrote poetry, and there were cer- Still, tain poems I could share with her. She seemed proud of poetry remains my first calling with its beauty of illumi- that. Sherry loved her son very much, and in creating this nating metaphor. endowment I think of his youth, the students who’ll be honored by this contest. So little lasts, but poetry remains Caywood: In many of your poems in Drop Zone you a way of seeing both the dark and the light, which is what write about the relationship between your mother and fa- life consists of. ther—“...how she’d do anything to calm his anger” (“Star Burning”). “We all make mistakes,” I’d say/then our at- Caywood: Who is your favorite poet? Why? Have other tention turns to Dad...” (“Road Winding Home”). “For a poets served as models for you in this regard? few days Father/would treat her gently./Then he’d be out Peck: I have several favorite poets who inspire me in late drinking again” (“Stitching”). Can you talk about many ways. From the canon, I certainly admire Frost and that? Elizabeth Bishop. As for my contemporaries, I admire Peck: It was the all-too-typical dysfunctional household. the work of Stanley Kunitz, C.K. Williams, Linda Gregg, The poems are an attempt to come to terms with that dys- Ruth Stone, Stanley Plumly, and many others. Like all function. In life, we can never make things as we want writers, I love finding a new voice that excites me, and

Winter 2003/2004 8 North Carolina Poetry Society

Caywood: When do you write most of your poetry? Caywood: One final question. Describe your need to Peck: I don’t have a set schedule for writing poetry, but write poetry? since I’m a morning person, you won’t find me compos- Peck: Writing poetry is essential to my well-being. To ing at night. I aim for two poems a month, but often the be centered in the act of creation is scary, but when you muse is generous, and I get in a spell of working on one get beyond that and know you’ve created something right after another. worthwhile that is meaningful to others, it’s one of the best feelings of all. It’s at this point that the poem goes Caywood: When you are approaching a new poem, is beyond yourself and becomes a way of communication. there something that comes to you first? The sound? The Stephen Dobyns has said that writing takes us out of our place? The subject? isolation. Being part of a writing community has been Peck: New poems come from all the things you men- rewarding in more ways than I can say. How many peo- tioned. Sometimes it’s an emotion, other times a phrase, ple get to spend their lives doing the thing they love? something I’ve heard, often a memory usually sparked by reading. Least of all would be subject, which seems very A bio of Gail Peck can be found on page 3. self-conscious to me. I do sometimes decide to write in Bud Caywood’s email is [email protected] form, and am usually surprised by the results because it shakes up your normal way of seeing things.

ENDOWMENTS FOR POETRY AWARDS The following endowments fund Award categories presented each year by the North Carolina Poetry Society

Brockman-Campbell Book Award Established by Christine Sloan in 1983 to fund a poetry book contest in honor of Zoe Kincaid Brockman, the first President of the North Carolina Poetry Society. Mary Belle Campbell subsequently made a substantial contribution to the Brockman-Campbell Book Award.

Travis Tuck Jordan Award Established by Dorothy and Oscar Pederson to honor Dorothy’s aunt, Travis Tuck Jordon.

Mary Ruffin Poole Heritage Award Established by Pepper Worthington to endow an annual Adult Contest In honor of her mother, Mary Ruffin Poole.

Sherry Pruitt Award (formerly the Marie Barringer Rogers Award) Endowed by Gail Peck in 2003 in memory of her sister, Sherry Pruitt.

For more information about endowing or sponsoring a North Carolina Poetry Society Award contact Bill Blackley, President

Winter 2003/2004 9 North Carolina Poetry Society

2004 NORTH CAROLINA POETRY SOCIETY

POET LAUREATE AND ADULT CONTEST AWARDS

Deadline for Receipt: January 8, 2004

ADULT CONTEST AWARD CATEGORIES 1-8 RULES

For category 1: First Place: $50; Second Place: $25; Third Place: $15; and Three 1. Submit ONLY ONE POEM PER Honorable Mentions. CONTEST CATEGORY. The SAME POEM MAY NOT BE ENTERED INTO MORE 1. THOMAS H. McDILL AWARD—Any form, any style, MAXIMUM OF 60 LINES. THAN ONE CATEGORY. A contestant may not enter a category in which he or she won For categories 2-8: First Place: $25; Second Place: $15; Third Place: $10; and first place in 2003. This also applies to contests Three Honorable Mentions. that have been renamed.

2. CALDWELL NIXON JR. AWARD—Poems written by adults for children 2 to 12 2. Each entry must be original, unpublished, years of age; any form, any style, MAXIMUM OF 32 LINES. and not currently submitted to any other contest or publication. 3. JOANNA CATHERINE SCOTT AWARD—Sonnet or other traditional form. SESTINAS ONLY may have a maximum of 39 lines. Other forms, MAXIMUM OF 32 LINES. 3. For each poem submitted, send two copies typed or computer-printed on one side only of 4. MARY RUFFIN POOLE HERITAGE AWARD—Any form, any style, on the standard 8 ½-by-11 paper. Clear photocopies theme of American heritage, brotherhood/sisterhood, or nature, MAXIMUM OF 32 LINES. are acceptable.

5. KATHERINE KENNEDY MCINTYRE LIGHT VERSE AWARD—Any 4. On both copies put the name of the form, any style, including limericks or light verse, MAXIMUM OF 32 LINES. category in the upper left corner. On the 6. LYMAN HAIKU AWARD—Haiku, three lines. duplicate copy only, type the author’s name, address, and phone number in the upper right 7. POETRY OF COURAGE AWARD—Any form, any style, on the theme of courage corner. Nonmembers of the NCPS should also or crisis, MAXIMUM OF 32 LINES. type “Nonmember.”

8. POETRY OF LOVE AWARD—Any form, any style, on the theme of love, MAXI- 5. Winning poems will be published in an MUM OF 32 LINES. anthology, and winners will be contacted regarding permission for possible posting of ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR CATEGORIES 1-8 ABOVE: their poems as “Poem of the Month” on the No entry fee is required if your NCPS membership is active as of December 1, 2003. NCPS Web site at www.sleepycreek.org/ Otherwise, the fee is $3 for each poem entered. Poets do not have to be residents of poetry.

North Carolina. 6. Entries must reach the contest chair by January 8, 2004, as follows:

John Ferree 4485 Fork Creek Mill Rd. POET LAUREATE AWARD Seagrove, NC 27341

Open to poets currently residing in North Carolina. A single prize of $100 7. All requests for additional information must for a serious poem, any subject, any style—MAXIMUM OF 100 LINES. be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Entry fee: $5 for NCPS member, $10 for nonmember 8. All checks should be made payable to the North Carolina Poetry Society.

9. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped GENERAL INFORMATION envelope with all entries.

The North Carolina Poetry Society retains first publication rights for all poems that 10. Note: All submissions must conform to win awards. Winning poems will be published in an anthology, Pinesong, after which the rules above. Incorrect entries will be publication rights will be returned to the authors. Contest winners will receive one returned IF a SASE is enclosed with the copy of Pinesong and will be invited to read their winning poem(s) at the Poetry submission, and IF time permits, they may be Society Awards Day meeting in Southern Pines on May 22, 2004. Contest results resubmitted before the deadline. SASEs for will be submitted to newspapers after Awards Day. Winners will be notified by mail correct submissions will be held to send entrants a list of winners. no later than March 17, 2004. If you wish to receive a list of winners (to be mailed just after the Awards Day meeting in May), enclose a SASE with your entry. Addi- tional copies of the rules may be obtained at the NCPS Web site. NCPS membership questions should go to: Guy and Carolyn York www.sleepycreek.org/poetry 315 N. Steele Street Sanford, NC 27330 North Carolina Poetry Society 2004 STUDENT POETRY CONTEST For Grades 3 Through Undergraduate Deadline for Receipt: January 8, 2004

1. You may submit one poem for each category. Grades 3-5: Travis Tuck Jordan Award 2. Send two typed copies of each poem on 8½-by-11 paper. Grades 3-8: Frances W. Phillips Award—the Environment 3. In the upper left corner of each copy, type the name of the Grades 6-8: Mary Chilton Award award category you are entering. Do not put your name or Grades 9+: Sherry Pruitt Award address on these copies. (formerly Marie Barringer Rogers Award) 4. On a separate piece of paper type or print Grades 9+: Lyman Haiku Award • the name of the category and the title of the poem you are entering in that category All poems except the Lyman Haiku entries may be in any form • your name, your home address and zip code, and but must have no more than 32 lines per poem. your phone number Winners will be notified in March and will be invited to the • the name of your school, your grade, your school May 22, 2004, Awards Day meeting at the Weymouth Center address & telephone number, and the name of your for the Arts & Humanities in Southern Pines. No copies will be teacher returned. 5. Your teacher must sign the paper (see item 4 above).

Prizes: 6. You must also sign the paper and write, “I pledge that this is First place: trophy, certificate, $25 my original poem.” Second place: certificate, $15 Third place: certificate, $10 Send $2 per poem to help cover expenses. Checks should be Honorable mention: certificate made payable to NCPS. Mail entries to:

Winning poems will be published in an anthology; and poets Libby Campbell will be contacted regarding permission for possible posting of winning poems on the NCPS Web site, www.sleepycreek.org/ 131 Woodview Dr. poetry. All winners will receive a copy of Pinesong, the Statesville, NC 28625

BROCKMAN-CAMPBELL BOOK AWARD

Postmark Deadline: May 7, 2004

The contest is open to poets who published a book-length Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities in Southern Pines. volume of poetry in 2003. Entrants must be native-born North Carolinians or current residents who have lived in the state for The winner will be given a $150 cash prize and a silver Revere at least three years at the time of the book’s publication. bowl. Book sales and a signing will also occur at the Poetry Soci- ety’s meeting on September 18, 2004. The 2004 judge is Colette Inez, author of 8 books of poetry, widely published in many anthologies, recipient of numerous Each submission should include the following: one copy of fellowships and awards, and currently professor at Columbia the book, a brief biographical sketch of the author, a stamped University in the Undergraduate Writing Program. postcard (for acknowledging receipt of the book), and a business-

To be considered, a book must be a first edition by a single sized, stamped, self-addressed envelope for the announcement of author, and it must contain more than 20 pages of poetry. the winner. The entry may be submitted by the poet or the book publisher. Anthologies are not acceptable. The book must have a 2003 copyright date, or the publisher must certify the copyright date Entry fee: The fee for non-members of the North Carolina by letter. Poetry Society is $10. (Please make checks payable to North

An entry containing poems included in a previous volume Carolina Poetry Society.) Members of the Poetry Society pay no that won the Brockman-Campbell Book Award is not eligible. entry fee. Mail entries to: The Brockman-Campbell winner will be notified by July 14, Sara Claytor 2004, and will be invited to read at the North Carolina Poetry 1160 Buckeye Road Society fall meeting, to be held September 18, 2004, at the Elk Park, NC 28622

2004 NCPS ADULT CONTEST JUDGES — Carolyn Norris, judge chair

Fred Chappell, North Carolina Poet Laureate from 1997 through 2002, has taught English at UNC-Greensboro for almost 40 years. He has published 25 books of poetry, fiction, and criticism. Awards and prizes include The North Carolina Award in Literature, the Roanoke-Chowan Poetry Award (six times), the Prix de Meilleur des Lettres Etrang- ers from the Academie Francaise, and the Sir Walter Raleigh Prize. (Poet Laureate Award)

Julie Bruck is the author of two books of poetry, The End of Travel (Brick Books, 1999) and The Woman Downstairs (Brick, 1993). Her work has appeared in Ms, Ploughshares, and The New Yorker. Her awards and fellowships include two Gold Canadian National Magazine Awards. A former Montrealer, she has taught at Concordia University, and at writer’s conferences in the U.S. She lives in San Francisco. (Poet Laureate Award, preliminary judge)

Jeanne Marie Beaumont is the author of Placebo Effects, winner of the National Poetry Series, and the forthcoming Curious Conduct (BOA Editions, 2004). She is coeditor of The Poets' Grimm: 20th Century Poems from Grimm Fairy Tales (Story Line, 2003) and has taught at The Frost Place, Rutgers University, and the Unterberg Poetry Center of the 92nd Street Y in New York City. (Poetry of Courage Award)

Steven Cramer is the author of four poetry collections: The Eye that Desires to Look Upward (1987), The World Book (1992), Dialogue for the Left and Right Hand (1997), and Goodbye to the Orchard, to be published in 2004. His poems and criticism have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, The Nation, The New Republic, The Paris Review, Partisan Re- view, Poetry, Triquarterly; and The POETRY Anthology, 1912- 2002. Recipient of fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Foundation and the NEA, he is Program Coordinator for the low-residency MFA program at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. (Joanna Catherine Scott Award)

Phebe Davidson is the award-winning author of ten collections of poetry. Her newest book, Back to Square One, New & Selected Poems, distills nearly 20 years poetry. She teaches at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where she is the G.L. Toole Professor of English and a Carolina Trustee Professor, as well as the editor of the Palanquin Poetry Press. (Katherine Kennedy McIntyre Light Verse Award)

Since The Great Frog Race (1997), Kristine O'Connell George has earned honors and praise for her seven books including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, IRA Promising Poet Award, CLCSC Myra Cohn Livingston Award, Claudia Lewis Poetry Award, and the SCBWI Golden Kite Award. George has five new titles under contract including Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems (Harcourt; 2004). George visits schools, speaks at national conferences, and has taught children’s poetry for the UCLA Writer’s Program. (Caldwell Nixon Jr. Award)

Judy Jordan's first book Carolina Ghost Woods won the 1999 Walt Whitman Award, the 2000 Utah Book of the Year Award, the Thomas Wolfe Literary Award, the Poetry Council of North Carolina's Oscar Arnold Young Award, and the 2000 National Book Critics Circle Award. Her second book, Sixty Cent Coffee and a Quarter to Dance, is forthcoming from LSU Press. She is working on a third book of poetry, tentatively titled A Hurt in His Heart, and a memoir. She teaches at Southern Illinois University—Carbondale. (Thomas H. McDill Award)

Ann Lauterbach is the author of five collections of poetry: If in Time: Selected Poems 1975-2000 (Penguin, 2001), On a Stair (1997), And for Example (1994), Clamor (1991), Before Recollection (1987), and Many Times, but Then (1979). She has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Ingram Merrill Foundation, and the John D. and Catherine C. MacArthur Foundation. Since 1991 she has taught at Bard College, where she also co-directs the Writing Division of the MFA program. (Lyman Haiku Award)

Janisse Ray is the author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood (Milkweed Editions, 1999), which won several major awards. She has published poems and essays in Audubon, Hope, Natural History, Orion, and Sierra, among others. Her second book Wild Card Quilt: Taking a Chance on Home, was published in spring 2003. Ray is Visiting Southern Writer at the University of Mississippi for the academic year 2003-2004. (Mary Ruffin Poole Heritage Award)

Jennifer Woodruff Tait, Methodist Librarian at Drew University, has published poems and essays in Weavings, Alive Now, The Josiah Journal, Sacramental Life, and Perspectives, and received an Award of Excellence for Poetry in the 1999 Associated Church Press awards. Woodruff Tait is ordained in the United Methodist Church. She grew up in the Midwest and currently resides in Chatham, New Jersey, with her husband. (Poetry of Love Award)

2004 NCPS Student Contest Judges — Dede Wilson, judge chair

Charles Wheeler, of Columbus, Ohio, will judge the Travis Tuck Jordan Award for students in grades 3 to 5. Wheeler taught in the English Department at Ohio State University for many years. He is the author of The Design of Poetry (Norton, 1966) and a co-author of The Bible as Literature (Oxford, 1986). A widely-published poet, Wheeler was co-winner of Columbia Maga- zine's annual poetry prize in 1995 and winner of the Robert Penn Warren Poetry Prize from The Cumberland Poetry Review in 1996.

Mignon Ballard, of Fort Mill, SC, will judge the Frances W. Phillips Award, poems about the environment for grades 3 through 8. Ballard, who graduated in journalism from the University of Georgia, will soon see the publication of her twelfth book. This book, The Angel Whispered Danger (St. Martin's Press) is the fourth in her Augusta Goodnight mystery series. Her very first book, Aunt Mathilda's Ghost, published in 1978, was named the Best Juvenile Fiction by a South Carolina Writer for that year.

Judge for the Mary Chilton Award for students in grades 6 through 8 will be Lola Haskins. Haskins has received two NEAs, four Florida Division of Cultural Affairs fellowships and the Iowa Poetry Prize. Her most recent collections include Extranjera (Story Line, 1998) and The Rim Benders (Anhinga, 2001). Desire Lines, New and Selected Poems, is forthcoming from BOA Editions, 2004. Her work has been published in The Atlantic Monthly, The London Review of Books, The Georgia Review, Prai- rie Schooner, and other distinguished journals. Haskins teaches computer science at the University of Florida.

The Sherry Pruitt Award (formerly the Marie Barringer Rogers Award) for grades 9 through undergraduate will be judged by Sue Inman. The founding editor of Emrys Journal, Inman lives in Greenville, SC, where she works as a teacher, editor and writer. Her poetry collection, Voice Lessons was published by Emrys Press. Inman’s poems have been published in several journals, including the South Carolina Review, Devil's Millhopper, and Kennesaw. Her non-fiction has been in magazines such as Southern Living Classics and Art Accents.

The Lyman Haiku Award for grades 9 through undergraduate will be judged by Vive Griffith, of Austin, TX. Griffith holds an MFA in poetry and fiction from the Michener Center for Writers and an MA in English from the University of Cincinnati. She is the author of Weeks in this Country, and her poetry and fiction have been widely published in the US and Canada. Her advice on the craft of writing appears frequently in Writer's Digest magazine and Poet's Market.

“Growing Young Poets” flourishes by Libby Campbell

Thanks to everyone who is reaching out to the youth of North Carolina with the richness that poetry can bring to our lives. You are stimulating some of these young people to send their poems to our student contest. I received my first entries in Sep- tember, and they continue to come in from various parts of the state. I have gotten e-mails from supervisors, teachers, and students with questions about our contest. Continue to share poetry with the children in your area and encourage them to compete in the North Carolina Poetry Society Student Contest.

I recently completed presenting a ten hour workshop on Reading and Writing Poetry for Would-Be Teachers of Poetry to twenty-five K-5 teachers in the Iredell-Statesville school system. This was sponsored by the Iredell-Statesville school system and the North Carolina Poetry Society. The enthusiasm and excitement of these teachers spread to all around them. I left each session grateful for the opportunity to share with these teachers who were ready to carry any suggestions I could give them back to their students. I wish all of you could have heard the teachers read aloud some of the poems they had written in a short period of time in class. One of the evaluation comments that touched me most was, “This workshop was a time of personal growth for me.” I believe that this will enable these teachers to go back to their classrooms and help more young poets to grow.

I would love to hear some of your experiences in working/playing with students as you seek to help grow more young poets in North Carolina. Send me an e-mail any time : [email protected].

Winter 2003/2004 13 North Carolina Poetry Society

NOTICES

The 2004 Slate of Officers POETRY COUNCIL OF NORTH CAROLINA for January 17 elections, for a new term starting May 22 The Poetry Council’s annual contest begins January 15 and ends May 1, 2004. President—Ann Garbett st 1 VP/Programs—Pat Riviere-Seel Guidelines for the contest will be published in January, so 2nd VP/Students—Margaret Parrish write or revise your poems and get ready to enter the contest. 3rd VP/Membership— Guy & Carolyn York There are categories for books published in 2003, traditional Recording Secretary—Mack Ivey poetry, free verse, and sonnets. Various categories are open Corresponding Secretary— to students and adults who are residents or former residents Priscilla Webster-Williams of North Carolina. Treasurer—Bill Griffin Member at Large—Jan Hilton For information about the contest, send a self-addressed, Member at Large—Carolyn Norris stamped envelope to Nancy Adams, 245 Carrington Lane, Salisbury, NC 28146; or email her at: [email protected]. See the back page for current Officers

POETRY IN FAYETTEVILLE

The Writers’ Ink Guild of Fayetteville meets How grand it was … by Pat Riviere-Seel January 2 and the first Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Fayetteville (off Morgan- Many thanks to all who participated in the first ton St. across from Cross Creek Mall). An open NCPS Mountain Gathering at Mars Hill Col- mike follows the meeting and lasts until 10 p.m. lege on October 11. More than 40 people, from as On February 27 at 7 p.m., the Writers’ Ink Guild far away as Florida, came to hear Kay Byer and rd Keith Flynn. Several NCPS members from the will host a reading by winners of the 23 annual eastern part of the state combined a weekend in Fields of Earth Poetry Contest and Celebration, with the mountains with a day of poetry on the col- an open mike to follow. The event will be held at lege’s beautiful campus. the Cumberland County Headquarters Library on Maiden Lane in downtown Fayetteville. Hal McDonald, head of the English department at The deadline for entries in Fields of Earth XXIV Mars Hill, welcomed everyone and has said he is March 15, 2004. Fields of Earth is an annual po- hopes the event will become an annual gathering etry competition sponsored by the Writers’ Ink at the college. He’s enthusiastic about the college Guild of Fayetteville. The contest is open to all re- providing even more support next year. Many gional poets. thanks to Hal!

For more information contact Special thanks also to Kay and Keith, whose personal chemistry made their presentations sizzle. Joseph Haymore at [email protected] Thanks to the people who joined Kay and Keith in or call (919) 499-6600 putting the gathering together: Rachelle Rogers, Bill Blackley, and my husband Ed Seel (I worry

and he makes things happen). Thanks to all the HICKORY The Writer's Stage meets at Drips Coffee House additional volunteers who pitched in on the day of in Hickory, the first Tuesday of each month. the event: Sandi Blackley, Jane Hazelman, Maria A "Featured Writer" is followed by an Open Mike Fire, and Joan Blessing. session. For details, contact Bud Caywood at 828-294-1157 or email [email protected]

Winter 2003/2004 14 North Carolina Poetry Society

WORKSHOPS Sponsored by the North Carolina Poetry Society

A Winter Workshop…

“Fresh Eyes on Old Poems” Elon University Poetry Day Co-sponsored by Dannye Romine Powell North Carolina Poetry Society

Saturday, February 21 Saturday, April 24 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Elon, N.C. in the downtown Charlotte area (exact location to be announced) 9:30 a.m. — Registration Cost: $15 Members, $25 Nonmembers 10 to 12 noon — Workshop Bring 13 copies of one or two poems and a snack. In and critique addition to working on your poems, Dannye will with a guest poet to be announced share tips and tricks for getting poems started and getting them published. 12:00 Buffet luncheon Register by contacting Barbara Conrad followed by a poetry reading 704-375-5820 by student winners or email: [email protected] published in Colonnades, a reading by the guest poet, and an open mike

Cost to Poetry Society members: $25 Workshops For Your Area (includes workshops and lunch) For more information contact Janice Sullivan Do you know of a poet you’d like to critique Telephone: 336-282-4032 your work? Want to meet with other poets in or e-mail: [email protected] your area? Why not make both happen by being a Poetry Workshop Coordinator?

Poetry Society workshop coordinators contact a guest poet and coordinate a workshop in their local area. If you would like to coordinate a workshop—or have ideas for a workshop—please contact the workshop chair, Sue Farlow. Contact information is on the The North Carolina Poetry Society back cover. presents a workshop with

Margaret Boothe Baddour

Chapel Hill Public Library Saturday, May 15, 2004 “When I meet a poet who is jealous of the poems of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. others (reputation is another matter), I’m sure that poet has (bring a bag lunch) not yet written a poem as good as he knows he can.” Cost: $15 Members, $25 Nonmembers —from Richard Hugo’s The Triggering Town Register by contacting Margaret L. Parrish (submitted by Dave Manning) 919-929-6348

Winter 2003/2004 15 North Carolina Poetry Society Board members & committee chairs North Carolina Poetry Society is an all-volunteer organization

President 131 Bon Aire Rd. Brockman-Campbell North Carolina Poetry Society Elkin, NC 28621 Book Award Bill Blackley Sara Claytor, Chair Organized in Charlotte – 1932 (336) 835-7598 105 Knollwood Drive 1160 Buckeye Rd. [email protected] Elkin, NC 28621 Elk Park, NC 28622 Meetings: The Society holds

(336) 835-4630 Judge Coordinator regular meetings the third Members At Large [email protected] Eleanor Brawley Saturday of January, May, and David Manning September. A day of poetry and 1st Vice President, Programs 422 Knotts Valley Lane Pinesong Editors programs is held from 10 a.m. until Rebecca J. Mitchell Morrisville, NC 27560 3 p.m. The Society also sponsors 605 East Main St. Joanne Nelson [email protected] Celisa Steele Sam Ragan Poetry Festival on the Walhalla, SC 29691 Pinesong Dedication third Saturday in June each year. (864) 638-8441 Janice Sullivan Ann Garbett All meetings are held at Weymouth [email protected] 3805 Meredith Dr. 931 Green Street Center for the Arts & nd Greensboro, NC 27408 2 Vice President, Student Con- Danville, VA 24541 Humanities, 555 East Connecticut (336) 282-4032 tests (434) 797-5770 Ave., Southern Pines. [email protected] Libby Campbell Newsletter: The Poetry Society 131 Woodview Dr. Book Citations COMMITTEE CHAIRS: newsletter is published three times a Statesville, NC 28625 Rebecca Pierre year in April, August, and (704) 878-9129 Publicity 129 NE 36th Street December. Deadlines for article [email protected] Ed Seel OakIsland, NC 28465 submissions are the first day of 107 Maple Drive (910) 278-9232 3rd Vice President, Membership March, July, and November. Asheville, NC 28805 [email protected] Guy and Carolyn York Direct submissions to the (828) 298-5413 315 North Steele St. Corresponding Secretary. [email protected] Book Sales & Promotion Sanford, NC 27330 Jan Z. Hilton Membership: Rates are Student (919) 776-7525 Long-range Planning 1005 Marilyn Drive $10, Regular $25, Lifetime $400. [email protected] Mary Santiago Raleigh, NC 27607 Any interested person may join. 2070 Campus Box Recording Secretary [email protected] Dues are payable when joining and Elon University, Elon NC 27244 Michael H. Ivey in May each year. New members (336) 278-5526 Workshops 750 Weaver Dairy Rd. joining after December 1 but before [email protected] Sue Farlow Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Asheboro High School May 1 will be counted as if they (919) 918-3464 joined in May, and they will not Poet Laureate Award 1221 S. Park Street [email protected] need to renew their membership & Adult Contests Asheboro, NC 27203 336-625-6185 until May of the following renewal Corresponding Secretary/ John Ferree year. Please send membership Newsletter Editor 4485 Fork Creek Mill Rd. Program Endowment checks (payable to NCPS) to Guy Priscilla Webster-Williams Seagrove, NC 27341 Campaign and Carolyn York, 315 North 6543 New Market Way (336) 879-5337 Lois R. Wistrand Steele St., Sanford, NC 27330. Raleigh, NC 27615 [email protected] (919) 431-0064 Webmasters Are you moving? Don’t forget [email protected] Coordinators of 2004 Ray Dotson to update your address with us. Contest Judges [email protected] Treasurer Need to Carpool to meetings? Earl Huband Bill Griffin Adult Contests, Carolyn Norris Contact the Yorks (address above). Student Contests, Dede Wilson [email protected]

Priscilla Webster-Williams 345 members as of December, 2003 First Class Corresponding Secretary Postage 6543 New Market Way Raleigh, NC 27615

Important Dates

J a n u a r y 8 — deadline for NCPS contests (guidelines inside)

January 17 — NCPS at Weymouth

March 18 — NCPS at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College

April 10 — NCPS at Barton College

April 24 — NCPS at Elon University

Visit our web site, www.sleepycreek.org/poetry, maintained by webmasters Ray Dotson and Earl Huband