Don't want Poetry Month to end? Plenty of chances to share the written word in Springfield
As National Poetry Month comes to an end, this does not mean that poetic activities in our community will cease.
In 1996, April was designated by the American Academy of Poetry as National Poetry Month. This annual designation has continued for 27 years, with no end planned. Last year’s activities in Springfield were dubbed “Poetry in the Pubs.” This year, the title was “Not Your Grandmother’s Poetry Tour.” Poetry readings were scheduled in brewpubs, libraries, bars, churches, clubhouses, and farmer’s markets.
A group of 12 poets from the ages of 22 to 82 formed the nucleus of the poets, including seven poets who have published books and poems in individual journals. Included in the group was Karen Craigo, who was named by Governor Mike Parson to serve a two-year term as Missouri’s Poet Laureate; David Harrison, who has published a large number of children’s stories, poems, and books; and myself, Bob Stephens, who was recently nominated for the state Poet Laureate position by a state legislator.
For the past two years, the Ozarks Literacy Council has sponsored poetry activities in the Springfield community to spread the word about both poetry and literacy. With a grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the OLC has hosted both a number of poetry readings around the community as well as sponsoring poetry writing contests spread over several different age groups.
According to Amy Jardell, executive director of the Ozarks Literacy Council, “We have been successful in raising our community’s consciousness regarding literacy and poetry. In fact, we have been asked by several of our locations to come back on a quarterly basis to continue the readings throughout the year.”
When asked about the poetry readings, Jardell commented, “This year, we had four locations where we held ‘open mic’ activities. At the Hold Fast Brewery, Mother’s Brewing, the GLO Center of the Ozarks, and the Library Center after our poets had completed their readings, we opened it up to any audience members who had original poems to read or perform.”
In activities unrelated to National Poetry Month, but still pertaining to poetry, Gemma Campanini runs a monthly Poetry Slam on the last Sunday of each month at Nathan P. Murphy’s on South Campbell. A poetry slam is a poetry competition with volunteer judges and cash prizes. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the reading or performances beginning at 7 p.m.
Campanini, a graduate student at Missouri State, began hosting the slams as a project for her master’s degree. “It was a little difficult getting them going after Covid, but we’re beginning to get a group of regulars. And there’s always room for more.”
In addition, Gemma conducts a monthly poetry writing workshop at the Green House Coffee and Affogato Bar on South Jefferson every second Wednesday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and instruction begins at 6 p.m.
Rex Ybañez, one of the poets with the OLC readings, also leads a poetry event, called The Poet’s Corner.
Rex points out, “Poets' Corner is an open mic for poets and writers held every first Friday at Green House Coffee + Affogato Bar in downtown SGF. Sign up starts at 6:30 p.m. and readings kick off at 7:00 p.m. While it is called Poets' Corner, sharing any type of writing is encouraged: poetry, creative nonfiction, excerpts of long-form fiction, flash fiction, book/film/album reviews. Readers and performers have about five minutes to read for their slot as the list fills up. Halfway into performances, a brief intermission takes place to let others network, bathroom breaks, and to get more drinks and food.”
A lot of creative activities going on in Springfield!
Robert Stephens is a former mayor of Springfield.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Keeping the words flowing as National Poetry Month comes to a close
