December Poetry Events

Wednesday, Nov. 30: Lancaster Poetry Exchange features Melissa Carl, 7:30 p.m. Lancaster Barnes & Noble

Friday, Dec. 2: Ragged Edge features Dustin and open mic, 6 p.m. Gettysburg

Monday, Dec. 5: Poetry Spoken Here features Jeff Rath, 7 p.m. YorkArts City Art Studio

Saturday, Dec. 10: Convergence open mic and feature, 7:30 p.m. Reader's Cafe in Hanover

Monday, Dec. 19: Hanover Critique, 7:30 p.m. North Hanover Giant Cafe

November Column

First published in The Evening Sun:

Our community is lucky to have so many poetry venues within driving distance. Hanover poets attend events in Gettysburg, York, Harrisburg, and Lancaster, at various bookstores and coffee shops. Yet, I am happy to announce some of you may be able to walk to a new poetry event, located in Hanover. The

Convergence poetry reading has found a new home at The Reader's Cafe.

Rich Hemmings, who lives in Stewartstown, PA, has hosted the Convergence poetry reading for almost eleven years, in various venues in Pennsylvania, and with different hosts, including his wife, Debberae Streett. In September, he brought Convergence to The Reader's Cafe, where it meets the second Saturday of every month at 7:30 p.m.

Though some have certain expectations for poetry readings, Hemmings hosts Convergence with the idea that, as he said, "special events make the reading more exciting." This is not your typical reading series, and no month is the same. I encourage you all to come check out his many "special events," including novelists, musicians, multiple readers, slams, contests, and salutes to poets.

Hemmings believes, "poetry is not limited to poetry." As evidenced in his October reading, titled "Masquerade," Hemmings said he allowed "prose and poetry to rub shoulders." Participants read prose as if it was poetry, signifying that poetry is apparent in everything we read.

There are many reasons Hemmings values the venue of The Reader's Cafe. Owner Derf Maitland encouraged the reading series, and provides a coffee shop atmosphere, while surrounding the readers with literature and an art gallery feel, with the bookstore's architectural flair.

Next month, on December 10, Hemmings will host Mike Argento, reading from his recent novel "Don't Be Cruel." Afterwards, Argento will sign copies of his book. Though Hemmings features someone each month, an open mic always follows. Those present can sign up to read their own work, or work they admire by other writers.

Though Hemmings plays the role of host for this monthly event, he also has been writing for 35 years. He starting writing during his teenage years in New York City, and continued after moving Pennsylvania in early adulthood. His father's passing propelled him back into poetry as an adult, and he began attending poetry readings, as well as the critique in Hanover, formerly held at The Reader's Cafe.

As a poet, Hemmings has the gift of beautiful imagery. He chooses words carefully to emphasize the emotion of a moment or a scene. In "The Empty Garden," Hemmings reflects on the death of a friend, who happened to pass away on 9/11. Ten years after the man's death, Hemmings could still ascertain a "scar" in the land where the garden once flourished.

The Empty Garden

Mr. Markle grew tomatoes

and corn, made war with groundhogs

that ate his cabbage.

He died, at 83,

on September 11th, 2001,

but not a victim of terrorism.

This spring his garden lies fallow. Still,

the grass is a different shade

where vegetables once grew.

The land bears scars by memory;

not from hand and hoe

but from an expectation of firm attention.

There will be no harvest and death.

Even the weeds have departed,

clearing the way for a birth that never comes.

The crux of this poem lies in the "expectation" that is never fulfilled by the farmer. The land, scarred with "memory" of cultivation, reminds us of loss, even ten years afterwards.

To hear more of Hemmings' work and his exciting twist on the poetry reading, please come to Convergence on December 10th. The reading begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Reader's Cafe, located at 125 Broadway, a couple blocks from the square in downtown Hanover.

This November, I'm thankful Convergence has found its niche in Hanover. I'm also thankful for the opportunity I've had to serve as Hanover's Poet Laureate. As my term nears its end, I reflect on the wonderful people I've met and poems I've read. If you are a writer who would like to serve the community as Hanover's Poet Laureate, I encourage you to email me at bradyke@gmail.com.

October Column

First published in The Evening Sun:

Dramatist Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote, "The pen is mightier than the sword." Though not intended for an audience of seventh grade girls, his words could not be more applicable to our young people. With increased bullying and peer pressure, our youth often use violence as an outlet. However, I recently had the opportunity to introduce the power of words to a group of Adams County seventh graders, and the poetry they produced packed more punch than any fist ever could.

On October 11, I led poetry workshops during the break-out sessions of Adams County's Young Women's Leadership Conference at Gettysburg College. The conference invites seventh grades from eleven area schools to participate in a day of guest speakers, fitness exercises, and a variety of workshops, to encourage wellness, empowerment, leadership, and learning.

The workshops ranged from dance lessons to stress-management discussions. I had the pleasure of introducing many young women to the power of poetry. During two sessions, I worked with seventh graders from New Oxford, Gettysburg, and Bermudian middle schools.

I asked the young women to think of two moments from their lives: moments when someone or something made them feel good or bad. Instead of reacting or discussing the events, I asked them to take their ideas and feelings to the page. In a few lines each, the young women gave themselves voices, amid the din of seventh grade cliques and drama.

We combined all the mini poems from the group and created the poems below. You can read the longer versions on my blog.

While discussing ideas to write about, some imagined how writing gives each of us a voice that no one can take away. Many of the young women wrote on this theme. The first poem is thus titled, "My Voice."

My Voice

I want to be heard

not drowned out

in others' words.

My ex-friend,

told the whole 4th grade.

I felt as shy as a cricket.

I was excluded

like I was isolated

on my own little island

They mocked me

But tried to be my friend

every once in a while.

She did not like me because of my skin.

It made me sad deep down within.

She did not even know my name.

And was ignorant to the fact that all people are the same.

They push me

I push them back

all of a sudden, "Smack."

I walked away in shame.

For then, I knew

what having a broken heart meant.

The words coming from his mouth

were piercing my throat

making it so I couldn't talk

but only cry.

My true friends saved me.

Though most of the moments in "My Voice" deal with negative experiences, many of the young women also wrote about moments of joy and excitement. The following poem's title is taken from one poet's line: "A Heart As Big As a Lion's Roar."

A Heart As Big As a Lion's Roar

I couldn't believe it!

It felt like I was in a dream.

When I found out

my eyes lit up

and I shouted, full of joy!

My smile was as big

as the sun.

I felt good when one of my friends

wanted to repay me

so she took me to a party.

She looked at me with a glow in her eye.

She seemed happy, but also shy.

She's helped me become who I am.

I know we are like peanut butter and jelly.

We spent a whole day in Maryland

collecting food and money for poor people.

It made my heart as big

as a lion's roar.

Thanks to the conference, I had the opportunity to teach some young women about poetry as a resource and an outlet. However, they reminded me that poetry empowers us. No matter the people or ideas that attempt to silence our voices, we can always return to the dialogue between the pen and page, a conversation that is always more productive than hurtful, spoken comments.