Poetry Night @ Local Art Gallery

 

In Poets United's ongoing mission to "advance the arts" we are pleased to incorporate in today's post, some coverage on the "visual arts" captured via a local art gallery event, recently attended in the Bronzeville area.

Where do I start?

I was invited to attend this gala a few days ago marketed as, "Artini @ Gallery Guichard." It was my first time there, but I definitely don't intend for it to be my last! 

From the moment my fella' and I entered the door, we were impressed with the ambiance, the music, the interaction and the vast collection of beautiful paintings and other artistic pieces by artists of color. Many of which you've probably never even heard of.  

The night was enhanced by musicians, poets and a dynamic D.J.! The evening's event was surprisingly well attended, with folks from all races, places, and socio-economic backgrounds. Let me tell you! What a night on the town.

And since a picture is said to "speak a thousand words," I trust you'll be abundantly "enriched' by these lovely photos I'm sharing here.

Feel free to leave a comment. As always, thanks for reading! Keep the arts in your heart!

April is National Poetry Month!

Greetings, readers!

Happy to have you rejoin us, as we celebrate National Poetry Month. Throughout the month, you'll find feature poets, interesting facts about N.P.M., local events and more. So let's start things off with our monthly column from Dr. Archan Mehta. Please feel free to leave a comment if you are so inclined. 

As always, thanks for your time and readership.

Who Is A Poet?

A poet is a sensitive soul with a heart of gold.

A poet is bold: grace under pressure and courage

Under fire. A poet tries to avoid trash talkers,

Tall talkers, habitual liars, bullies, snake-oil

Salespersons, and con artists who cross the line. A

Poet is often misunderstood and misjudged by the

Masses: thus, a poet is labelled as arrogant, short,

Egotistical, delusional, Americano, unconventional,

Rebellious and worse. That’s because a poet is blessed

And cursed with a fertile imagination which cannot

Be roped in. A poet finds mundane reality trivial

And boring and chooses instead to live on cloud nine.

Only a poet can dream about what is invisible to

The naked eye; a poet’s bridge touches the sky,

Linking earth to heaven. While the masses sleep,

The poet suddenly leaps to connect the dots: The poet

Has a sharp mind even if he seems confused and lost.

BIO:

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, Dr. Mehta likes to stroll in the outdoors and party with close friends. He is also fond of meditation. Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Happy Women's History Month! Poetry Corner Tribute From Dr. Archan Mehta

About Caring For You

You complained that nobody cares for you:

How untrue, my love, for I do: you complained

That there is nobody you can turn to when the

Chips are down: rest assured, my dear, I would

Be happy to play the clown, make sure you laugh

At my silly jokes—laughter is the best medicine,

And my antics will spread good cheer. Later, I 

Will gladly point out the True North, and make

Sure you follow the light: I want the darkness

To disappear from your life. You complained that

Your Kith and Kin have abandoned you, but you

Are not friendless in our world: there are greener

Pastures waiting for you. You complained that your

Boss, colleagues and customers were mean to you

And called you names, but for every problem under

The sun, there is a solution and we will find one

Which works for you. Please do not feel lost

And lonely, for I am on your side and we are

On the same team. Trust me, you will sail

Through this storm and emerge as a better

Person: you will find the peace of mind you

Have always been searching for and personal

Happiness too. It is just a matter of time. 

Please be patient: working on yourself will

Help and heal and you will experience the divine. 

BIO: 

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, Dr. Mehta likes to stroll in the outdoors and party with close friends. He is also fond of meditation. Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Poets United to Perform Poetic Works @ West Pullman Library for Black History Month

 

In honor of Black History Month, Poets United will be featured at West Pullman Library. The forum will include discussions of African-American writers who have contributed to our love and appreciation of the arts; selections from our individual and collective poetry books; and an open-mic spoken word session.

We hope you will join us for some powerful poetry, good vibes, good conversation, and good food.

DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

WHEN: FEBRUARY 21, 2026 (Saturday)

FROM: 2:30-4:30 P.M.

WHERE: 830 W. 119th St.

Chicago, IL

For more information, visit Chipublib.org.

This event is free and open to the public.

Poetry Corner* Dr. Archan Mehta

 

Welcome back readers, poets & friends. 

Happy belated 2026. We have many exciting events and expressions to share with you in February; particularly in honor of National Black History Month. 

Today, let's continue the poetic works of Dr. Archan Mehta. Hope you enjoy!

On Hunching Around

Folks, I am not a proud home owner. I am not

Living the American Dream. There is no down payment

For me. Nor do I have to pay down the mortgage every

Month. I don’t have an installment plan nor any outstanding

Debts. I can’t be tied down like a prisoner in chains. I am a

Drifter, a vagabond and a gypsy soul.  I follow the wind like

A blind man has faith in a walking stick. I am not in a hurry

To get from point A to point Z. I am patient and I am prepared

To wait for events to show up in my life. It is okay if I have no

Godfathers and guardian angels and mentors and guidance

Counselors. On the contrary, I look inside my heart and

Play my hunches. I am guided by the light of wisdom.

Yes, I have faced challenges, but my soul provides the

Solutions. I just have to dig deeper and look within for

Enlightenment. I am not worried about issues which

Do not concern me. I want to move with the flow of life.

BIO

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, Dr. Mehta likes to stroll in the outdoors and party with close friends. He is also fond of meditation. Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Have a Happy Holiday Season!

 

From our door...to yours!

Poets United's Blog will be on a hiatus until February, 2026.

When we hope to rejoin you for more poetry, informative pieces, interviews and fun writing opportunities.

Have a safe, beautiful, abundant holiday season!

Warmly,

Jen

Poetry Corner* Dr. Archan Mehta

 

Mystery of Creation

Sometimes, I accidentally bump into the masses,

Reluctantly, and against my will and better judgment:

Suddenly, the masses stop me and demand my attention

And ask: poet, how do you create poetry? I reply: well, I

Really don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine. After

That, the masses look at me, like I’m being funny or

Cracking a joke, or pulling their legs or just being a

Smart aleck or a wise guy, but I am serious. I don’t

Have the answers and it is okay not to know. I am not

A magician who wields a wand and I don’t know how to

Pull a rabbit out of a hat. Since I am not God, I don’t try

To play God. I wish the masses understood that the act

Of creation is a mystery instead of thinking that I am a

Mad hatter. Folks, a poet is vulnerable to and insecure

About his muse. And a poet cannot set terms and conditions

For his muse. The muse is eccentric and transcends reason.

BIO:

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, Dr. Mehta likes to stroll in the outdoors and party with close friends. He is also fond of meditation. Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.