Hot Reads for Summer!

Welcome back, readers.
It's great to be back on the blog block.

Though this blog has not been updated in some time, rest assured that Poets United is still very active on the arts scene and in our local communities.

This year, we're back with a new look and new projects!

Even when this site is not current, please know that we will continue (behind the scenes), to share our passion and make good on our mission to increase arts awareness and highlight literary excellence and diversity, through blog posts, books, information products, book signings and various tours and trips along the way.

We hope you'll join us.

Now, for today's post...

Good poetry like good fashion never goes out of style.
It's timeless.

Which is why I'm happy to share some of my favorite poets, whose works have inspired, informed and engaged audiences for decades. This summer, why not add them to your reading list for a little sizzle and romance?!


Here are a few of my favorites, that I'm convinced will become your favorites too, in no particular order:

• MAYA ANGELOU
• PETER MCWILLIAMS
• E.E. CUMMINGS
• JEANNE TOWNES
• PABLO NERUDA
• GWENDOLYN BROOKS

And don't forget to add the published works of poets and authors among the ranks of Poets United to Advance the Arts.

You'll find a listing of our selected titles under the "Books by members" tab.

Until next time, enjoy your week!  

Image credit: Pixabay.com/

The Beauty of the Haiku!

Happy New Year!
January is here; ushering in new possibilities, new dreams, new horizons.
Each day I can see the season changing--longer days unfolding, less snow, and a shedding of the old for the new.

I am reminded of the beauty of the seasons through nature.
Which brought to mind the Haiku.

Are you familiar?

A Haiku is a poem that originated in Japan. It seeks to capture the beauty and love of plants, water, animals and the mysteries of the earth.

Haiku is composed of three unrhymed lines--each with a specific number of syllables (17 total).

1. The first line has 5 syllables and tells the location.
2. Second line has 7 syllables and addresses what is happening.
3. Third line has 5 syllables and speaks to when the poem takes place.

Why not try it to stretch your creative muscles? If you're a teacher, share it as a class assignment, even.

• Brainstorm.
• Select a topic.
• Look at images of nature, tune into a few nature sounds, or take a nature walk to enhance your experience.
• Write words or phrases associated with your choice.
• Adjust the syllables and words to fit the pattern of the Haiku.
• Have fun!

If you would like Poets United to teach a workshop, conduct a poetry reading, or lead an open-mic event, please get in touch!
The 2016 Calendar is likely to fill up quickly, so make booking arrangements soon.

Email: Gemsjen@yahoo.com
Or write to us at
P.O. BOX 208704
CHICAGO, IL 60620

We look forward to serving you.

Poets United to Advance the Arts Gives Back for National Grandparents' Day, September 13th...

Since its inception, Poets United to Advance the Arts has been committed to 4 core activities in increasing arts awareness and promoting literacy:

1. PERFORMANCES-- Monthly, professional performances at various venues throughout Illinois

 

2. EDUCATION--Educational programs and workshops in schools and libraries

 

3. LITERATURE--Creating, publishing and promoting poetry books and informational products

 

4. OUTREACH--Voluntering our time and talents to local nursing homes, churches, and those in the arts community

In keeping, we celebrated National Grandparents' Day with some lovely folks in the senior community, on Sunday, September 13th.

It was a "grand" celebration of poetry, music, conversations and gift giving!

GIFTS PRESENTED TO SENIORS INCLUDED:

BIBLES

BOOKS

CALENDARS

CELL PHONE HOLDERS

CRAFT ITEMS

CUPS AND COCOA MUGS

DECORATIVE FRAMES

MOVIES

ROSARIES

TEAS

TOILETRIES

 

A special thank you goes out to our supporters and donors:

EVELYN COGDELL

DEBORAH TAYLOR

A.D. MOORE

CRYSTAL THOMAS (VICTORY CENTRE)

ANONYMOUS (Someone who appreciates seniors for their life contributions)

Black Ensemble Theatre to Debut Lillian Mitchum's Short Play-"Thirsty!"

 

 

 

The Black Ensemble Theater will present a short play written by Lillian E. Mitchum, as part of its four play summer series.

 

The production of "Thirsty" will take place at the Black Ensemble Theater

 at 4450 N. Clark Street, Chicago

On August 26th at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15.00 per person.

 

 

It promises to be an evening to remember! 

Image: Freedigitalphotos.net

Book That Poet Provides Listings for Global Readings!

Are you a poet seeking venues to share your works?
Would you like to teach workshops or share your love of the arts with youth in your school area?
Do you have poetry books available that you'd like to have featured online?

Book that Poet is an online directory for poets and performing artists, that provides booking and promotional opportunities for poets worldwide!

For a small annual fee you can be listed for one year, or two.

For more details, visit www.Bookthatpoet.com today.



Image: Nikola Hartmann

Honoring Black History Month

ONE OF OUR VERY OWN!

Join fellow poetry enthusiasts for a monthly reading by a featured local poet.

Henry L. Jones

Henry L. Jones is a poet, author, activist and artist who focuses on cultural and social issues. He blends life experiences and history to write about the Black experience using vivid images. Jones published Run into Blackness: Feeling My Poetic Gumbo, (Pneuma Publishing International, Inc.) which received praises in many media sources. This was his first commercial book. He has obtained awards, honors, and recognitions such as the Dr. Harriette Bias-Insignares Award for Poetry. Dr. Bias-Insignares is Nashville’s Poet Laureate/Ambassador of Letters. He collaborated with photographer Carlton Wilkinson in The African Male Museum Series, which won the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Individual Artist Fellowship (visual art). A concerned activist, Jones’ essay and poem were published in Houses of God, a gospel music CD release and book by the House of Blues Music Company & Platinum Entertainment. Various artists included: The Winans, Stevie Wonder, LA Mass Choir, The Temptations, Andrae Crouch Michael Brooks & The Nation, Cissy Houston, and others. This project raised nearly half million dollars to rebuild Southern churches attacked by racially motivated fires and bombs in the 1990’s. He recites his poetry often at cultural programs, festivals and literary events. Jones was the featured poet for the Southern Festival of Books (2010) debut stage of Chapter 16 (Humanities Tennessee), a new journal about books, writers and literary events in Tennessee. He has been a visiting poet at numerous colleges and taught ways to unleash creativity in workshops.


SEE DETAILS HERE:

http://www.scarrittbennett.org/event/poets-corner-featuring-henry-jones/

Date: February 26th
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Fondren Hall, 2nd Floor

 

Review--If I Could Hear God Laugh

If I could Hear God Laugh is a collection of inspirational poems by Prentiss Wilbur Gardley that I highly recommend.

The author's "range" is as impressive as Mariah Carey's! With more than 50 poems on an array of timely topics, there's something that will resonate with readers young and old.

Here's a sample of one of his pieces....

MAMA'S LITTLE MAN 

 

 

I remember how mama wanted to be in love

She wanted somebody to love her the same

And everytime it didn't work out

Somehow I thought I was to blame

 

Her strongest vice, til the end of her life

Was for someone to love her back

Mama wanted to be somebody's wife

Someone who knew how to act

 

She searched for love as if it were gold

She longed for someone to have and to hold

I watched her give every inch of her soul

From the days she was young

Till the time she grew old

 

It was I who held her when she cried

Wiped the tears from mama's eyes

Rub her back until she was sleep

Then go into my room and weep

 

See, I was mama's Little Man

I'd sit on her bed at night

While she would make her wedding plans

That never turned out right

 

I took care of my mama

Until I went astray

And the thought of that still haunts me

Each and every day

 

If only I would have stayed by her side

To comfort mama when she cried

Rub her back until she was sleep

Then go into my room and weep

 

 

(c) 2004 Prentiss Wilbur Gardley