Poetry for Life

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As you may or may not know, poetry can be very healing especially for those who are mentally ill. As Anne Sexton stated-- "Poetry led me by the hand out of madness." Mental illness can also be a source of brilliance and creativity. Edgar Allan Poe reminds of this in his quote about himself -- " Men have called me mad but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence" . Many poets' writing has been shaped by their mental illness.  Let us honor those pioneers --Sylvia Plath, Lord Byron, Edgar Allan Poe, John Keats and Emily Dickinson -- as we read this piece below, "Alone" by Poe.  I've also included one of my own, "Why?" behind it. Don't forget to remember those who are suffering and honor them with your time and effort this month! Alone By Edgar Allan Poe From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; ...

Here are some things to do to celebrate the month! Week 1: Attend a poetry event. -Busboys and Poets have weekly events-  http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/ Week 2: Write a Poem that encourages you or someone you love Here are some places you can find poetry prompts- -Creative Writing Now - http://www.creative-writing-now.com/creative-writing-prompts.html -30 Writing Prompts for National Poetry Month- http://www.agodon.com/uploads/2/9/4/3/2943768/writing_prompts_by_kelli_russell_agodon.pdf Week 3: Read a new poem -Busboys and Poets on 14th and V has a great bookstore full of great poetry. -The Poetry Foundation has a great repository of poetry you can access for free. Week 4: Read about a poet you are unfamiliar with - Poetry.org has a plethora of information on various poets - http://famouspoetsandpoems.com also has a lot of information on poets and poems Week 5: Share a poem There are many forums you can use to share your work or important works of othe...

As we take time to celebrate Women's history month, I want to take this opportunity to say thanks to all of my poetry she-roes for all of the incredible, inspiring and thought-provoking work they have put out into the world. Thank you Maya Angelou for Phenomenal Woman. Thank you Gwendolyn Brooks for The Mother . Thank you Sylvia Plath for  Winter Trees . Thank you Elizabeth Barrett Browning for How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Thank you Emily Dickinson for She rose to his requirement Thank you Nikki Giovanni for Mothers   Thank you Alice Walker for Be Nobody's Darling   Thank you Phillis Wheatley for On Virtue To all my fellow women writers, thank you for sharing this journey with me and your work with the world. Happy writing! SSS

Below is a list of resources for poets (database of contests, awards, literary magazines) Websites Poets and Writers -  www.pw.org Winning Writers - www.winningwriters.com Open Mics/Poetry Venues  (DC metro) Busboys and Poets -  http://www.busboysandpoets.com/poetry/poetry-programs

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words. Robert Frost   Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words. Edgar Allan Poe   Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history. Plato   A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language. W. H. Auden   To see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion all in one. John Ruskin  

I will be the featured poet on the February 25th show @ 8pm. Feel free to join us by calling in on (646) 716-8754. http://www.meetup.com/DC-Poetry-Project/events/220170732/

What's your inspiration? Find out more about the thought process and inspiration behind my book in my DC Poetry Project feature. Click this link to view the full feature -  http://www.meetup.com/DC-Poetry-Project/messages/boards/thread/48639106/