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Events & Classes > Celebrate National Poetry Month

Celebrate National Poetry Month

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John Wilson Special Collections Exhibition
Besmilr Brigham: Poetry and Correspondence from a Choctaw Writer

Award-winning poet and short story writer Besmilr Brigham (1913–2000) lived in Arkansas for most of her life. Her grandfather was a Choctaw. Born Bess Miller Moore, she changed her name to its phonetic spelling, "Besmilr." She came to prominence in the 1960s with poetry noted for innovative structure, sound and rhythm. Her first book, Agony Dance: Death of the Dancing Dolls, was published in Portland by poet Carlos Reyes.

This exhibition features Brigham's poetry, an important part of the John Wilson Special Collections' Native American Literature collection, as well as her correspondence with Reyes — letters and cards rich with content about her writing.

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National Poetry Month

VoiceCatcher Authors Reading

VoiceCatcher presents prose and poetry from its second women writers anthology. The work of six contributing authors will be highlighted. VoiceCatcher's mission is to publish an anthology of Portland-area women's writing reflecting a diversity of voice and genre. They offer a local publishing opportunity that respects, nurtures and promotes local artists. Submissions for the 2008 anthology will be collected at this event.

Homeschool Adventures

You're a poet and we know it! Discover poetry and get inspired to make your own cut and paste poem. For ages 6-11.

From Out of the Stacks: Library Poets Read Aloud

Join Multnomah County Library staff members as they share their poetry.

How to Haiku

Bring together the pleasures of reading and writing in this Every Family Reads workshop. Learn how to get inspired, talk about what you notice during the day and discover how to express yourself using the language of poetry!

Walking Portland's Bridges Using Poetry as a Compass: Poetry Reading and Walk

Sharon Wood Wortman presents her newest book, Walking Bridges Using Poetry as a Compass: Poems About Bridges Real and Imagined by 70 Poets, with Directions for Five Self-Guided Explorations, a guide book with step-by-step directions to discovering the secrets of Portland's big river bridges, and poems about bridges by poets from all over. Join us as some of Portland's finest read their work. The reading will be followed by an optional walk. Made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Poetry Books

Make a pop-up book to delight your senses. Use beautiful painted papers to create color and texture.

Deer Drink the Moon: Poems of Oregon Poetry Reading

Thirty-three esteemed poets of Oregon capture the magic of their lives and surroundings through a rich bouquet of poems in the anthology Deer Drink the Moon. Liz Nakazawa's colorful collection of poems is uniquely arranged by ecoregion, giving readers a taste of the mosaic Oregon has to offer. Paulann Petersen, Mark Thalman and Barbara Drake will read selections.

Verse in Person: Poetry Readings

Listen to Oregon poets read from their works. This monthly program is organized by local poets Barbara LaMorticella, Robert Davies, and Mike Ferrell, who draw on their extensive contacts in the Oregon poetry community to highlight two to three poets each reading.

Anyone's Domain: A Basic Poetry Writing Workshop

Poetry is not the domain of just a few. It's as natural and accessible as heartbeat and breath. Writing poetry requires nothing more than a love of words and a willingness to let your pen move across a page, following language wherever it takes you. Join Paulann Petersen in an afternoon devoted to creating poems and talking about some of the basic elements of poetry. Beginners welcome.

Paulann Petersen's books of poetry are The Wild Awake, Blood Silk and A Bride of Narrow Escape, which was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. A fourth collection, Kindle, is forthcoming from Mountains and Rivers Press. A former Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and the recipient of the 2006 Holbrook Award from Oregon Literary Arts, she serves on the board of Friends of William Stafford, organizing the annual January Stafford Birthday Events.

 

Space at programs is limited. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, except as noted.