April is National Poetry Month – Dear Poet Project

In the spirit of Rainer Maria Rilke‘s Letters to a Young Poet, in which Rilke replies to letters from a young military cadet and aspiring poet asking for his advice, the Academy of American Poets is inviting students to engage with poetry by handwriting letters to some of the poets who serve on the Academy’s Board of Chancellors.  Please share the information below with the students in your community!

Any young person is encouraged to participate! Here’s how:

1) Read some of the poems written by the Academy’s Chancellors. Here are some suggested poems to read and respond to:

Latin & Soul by Victor Hernández Cruz

Cherry Blossoms by Toi Derricotte

Broadway by Mark Doty

[Where do words come from?]    by Vénus Khoury-Ghata,    translated by Marilyn Hacker

You and I Belong in This Kitchen    by Juan Felipe Herrera

Fall by Edward Hirsch

A Hand by Jane Hirshfield

Famous by Naomi Shihab Nye

Nothing in That Drawer by Ron Padgett

This Bridge, Like Poetry, is Vertigo    by Marie Ponsot

Comet Hyakutake by Arthur Sze

Fast-Speaking Woman by Anne Waldman

2) Compose a one to two page handwritten letter sharing your questions and thoughts about the poem with its author. (Be sure to include your age and grade, along with a return address if you hope to receive a response).

3) Send your letter to:

Dear Poet Project c/o Academy of American Poets75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901

New York, NY 10038

Select letters may receive a reply from the poet and be featured on the Academy’s website, Poets.org!

Source:  http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/619

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Exquisite Haiku: I Speak With Conviction

I Speak With Conviction

 

The rhythm of verse

Filled with passion and purpose

Expanding your mind

 

by Michelle Lynn Thompson 08/10/2012

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Busboys and Poets

I Speak With Conviction

The rhythm of verse

Filled with passion and purpose

Expanding your mind

by Michelle Lynn Thompson 08/10/2012

After five years of  hearing about all of the exciting activities that are hosted by this venue, I  finally experienced an open mic event at Busboys and Poets!  There are four Busboys and Poets restaurants/bookstores in the Washington metropolitan area – two in Washington DC, one in Hyattsville, MD, and one in Shirlington, VA.  I ventured out to The Village at Shirlington, VA to get a feel for the venue and experience this icon for myself.

It was my first time visiting The Village at Shirlington,  an urban village, hosting an eclectic collection of restaurants and entertainment options, but quaint enough to be home to thousands of residents who enjoy the convenience of so many amenities just outside of their front door.  I loved strolling through the neighborhood as I made my way to Busboys and Poets.  The village has this rich, bohemian feel and I can easily see this becoming a favorite place for me to just BE!

I want to share an excerpt from Busboys and Poets website – there is no way that I can explain the essence of this venue any better.

Busboys and Poets Tribal Statement

 

Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted…a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul…a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide…we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

 

Those of you who have gotten to know me, can understand why I felt instantly welcomed and at ease when I arrived.  The ambiance was soulful and engaging.  The place was full of energy and just had this amazing vibe that enticed all of my senses.  I can see that I will be coming back to this location as often as possible.

This Monday Night Open Mic was hosted by Shelly Bell.  She was absolutely AWESOME in creating a fun, energetic and welcoming atmosphere for poets of all levels and experiences.  She encouraged the audience in being supportive of each artist that approached the stage.  This was my sneak peek – I like to check things out before I step out there.  I am planning to visit the other locations in the area and I am so looking forward to sharing some of my work at the next Open Mic Poetry event!

I have to share the history of the name “Busboys and Poets”.  I am always intrigued about how things came to be.  The website educates us by sharing that “the name Busboys and Poets refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s, prior to gaining recognition as a poet.”  Mr. Hughes would feel very, very welcomed at any of their locations and so will you.  If you are in the Washington metropolitan area, make it a point to stop by  the nearest Busboys and Poets for a meal, share a poem, hear a discussion – or just relax in the space and just be YOU!

Peace and Love,

Michelle

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Exquisite Haiku: Your Presence

 

Your Presence 

My heart is so FULL

My mind stimulated – FREE

Just BEING with you

by Michelle Lynn Thompson 07/23/2012

 

Exquisite Haiku: I Dance For You

I Dance For You

In movement, I speak

Praising You, Worshipping You

I surrender all

by Michelle Lynn Thompson 

05/23/2012

What’s Going on…NOW? – Continuing Marvin Gaye’s Conversation in 2012

What’s Going On? – Marvin Gaye

The Kennedy Center is celebrating the anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s performance of What’s Going On at the newly-opened Kennedy Center back in May 1971.  To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this event, the Kennedy Center is leading a national conversation around the issues and ideas on the record. “We’re asking young people to think critically about these themes and respond in their own artistic voice.”

“The songs on What’s Going On were united by Marvin Gaye’s dismay about what he saw going on in the world. He sang about the troubles many Americans—especially African Americans—were facing. These woes included the Vietnam War, racism, environmental destruction, poverty, and drug abuse. At times, Gaye was overwhelmed by anger and despair about what was happening. Other times, he spotted glimmers of hope and the possibility of peace and love.” – What’s Going On…NOW? Project

The Project‘s theme is THINK – CREATE – CONNECT.  If you visit the What’s Going On…NOW?  website you will have the opportunity to engage in the conversation:

THINK

Take the time to read and explore the TIMELINE OF THE ERA, THE VIETNAM ERA, THE MUSIC OF THE ERA, and THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

CREATE

Explore ARTSEDGE, the Kennedy Center’s free digital resources for creating your video, audio or imagery of your contribution to the conversation. The CREATE page allows you to Choose Your Issue, Grab a Track, Pick A Tool, Create, and Share.

CONNECT

The CONNECT page allows you to check out what others are sharing about what’s happening in their world.

I just found out about the project and had to get this post together.  Let me know if you choose to add to the conversation.  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Peace and Love

Michelle

Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day!!!

The Academy of American Poets celebrates Poem In Your Pocket Day today!

 

Below is the description of the celebration from the Academy of American Poets:

The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you on Poem In Your Pocket Day, sharing it with co-workers, family, and friends.

Celebrate on April 26, 2012.

Poem In Your Pocket Day has been celebrated each April in New York City since 2002, and nationwide since 2008. Each year, parks, bookstores, workplaces, and other venues burst with open readings of poems from pockets.

Click a pocket below to download and print poems to share with others, or browse other poems for your pocket.

I’d love to hear what poems you shared today!!!

Celebrate National Poetry Month – Organize a Local Poetry Reading!

I am thankful for our monthly Spoken Word Gatherings!  We had our April gathering last night and it was a BLAST!  I shared my poem “The Silver Legacy” and a couple of new Exquisite Haiku’s   We had about 19 people in attendance and some our first time guests felt comfortable enough to share their works with the group.  We meet at a local community room that has a kitchen to prepare light refreshments.  It really is the perfect intimate setting, not too small – not too large.  Our hostess VW, works to bring in a featured Spoken Word Artist each month.  Last night I had the chance to hear Komplex, an artist from the Baltimore, MD area.  It was such a treat to hear his works.  His lyrical tapestry was absolutely exquisite!

Below are some suggestions from Poets.org about putting together a local poetry reading in your community!  Keep the children in mind, and make it an early afternoon family event.

Readings are a great way to promote poets and poetry. Perhaps you are part of a writing group and want to share your work with an audience. Or maybe you’re interested in gathering poets whose work you’ve admired, or you want to help discover new voices. You can select poets you know from writers groups, workshops, local colleges and universities (professors and students), or announce a call for readers.

When looking for a venue, consider your local library, coffee shop, bookstore, art gallery, bar, or performance space. Depending on where you have the reading, you may have to charge an admission fee or a drink minimum, which you can arrange with the owner or manager of the space.

Advertise your reading online and in print. You can post your event on the Academy’s free National Events Calendar using the simple online form. The event listing will also appear on the corresponding state page of the National Poetry Map. Create an event page on Facebook and invite your local contacts, and ask friends with websites and blogs to help publicize the reading. In addition to posting your event online, make flyers and send a listing announcement of the reading to your local newspapers and publications.

If you enjoy organizing the reading, then consider turning it into a weekly or monthly series. Your event may be the beginning of a long poetry tradition in your community.

Other Resources from Poets & Writers:
Poets & Writers Directory (to find poets in your area)

Exquisite Haiku: Spoken Word Artist

Spoken Word Artist

A lover of verse.

Inspired by spoken words

that express living.

by Michelle Lynn Thompson 04/14/2012

Exquisite Haiku: Spring Salutations

A friendly hello

Easy exchange of ideas

Lightness of being

by Michelle Lynn Thompson 04/14/2012