Friday, April 30, 2010

Cherry Hill Township Poetry Reading of Original Works


April 30th is the last day of National Poetry Month. What better way to close out the month than with a poetry reading?

Join Erika "Sage" Kelley and other area poets as they read from their original works during this seasonal poetry reading hosted by Poetry Chair and Arts Board member, Herb Druker.

Date of Event: Friday, April 30
Time of Event: 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Croft Farm Arts Center
100 Bortons Mill Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ

Open to the public. Admission is free.

Light refreshments will be served.
For directions, click here.

Art Blooms is sponsored by Verizon.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Poetry on the Porch: Friday, April 23, 2010

The New Jersey Chapter of the Younger Women's Taskforce invites you to our "Poetry on the Porch" poetry reading and open mic event in celebration of National Poetry Month.

Sip lemonade and enjoy light refreshments on the wrap-around porch at historic Paulsdale while enjoying the work of four local poets:

Tracey Ferdinand
Kat Hurley
Erika “Sage” Kelley
Denise E. Stewart

This event is free (suggested donation: $5). For directions, visit: http://www.alicepaul.org/contactpage.htm.

National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.

The Younger Women's Task Force, a project of the National Council of Women's Organizations, is a nationwide, diverse and inclusive grassroots movement dedicated to organizing younger women and their allies to take action on issues that matter most to them. By and for younger women, YWTF works both within and beyond the women's movement, engaging all who are invested in advancing the rights of younger women. The New Jersey Chapter is headquartered at the Alice Paul Institute, 128 Hooton Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. We can be reached at ywtf.nj@gmail.com or on our website at http://www.ywtf.org.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Monday, April 12, 2010

Poetry in the Park: National Poetry Month

Erika "Sage" Kelley reads some of her favorite poems, along with original work for National Poetry Month in the Historic Hopkins House of Cooper River Park. The poetry reading will be followed by an open mic.

Monday, April 12, 2010
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Camden County Cultural Heritage Commission 250 S. Park Drive, Haddon Twp, NJ

For directions, visit: http://arts.camden.lib.nj.us/directions.htm
This event is free.

The Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission is an advocate of access to the arts for all. Poetry in the Park is made possible in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the mediao the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Memorization: My Brain Won't Cooperate!


For the past few decades, I have enjoyed poetry privately. I would write original poems in a journal as an outlet, a means to express my feelings. I often read the work of others at my leisure. Over the past few years, I have attended several poetry readings where I discovered that poetry is oratory art! I have had the distinct pleasure of witnessing words come to life, right before my very eyes.

During the month of April, National Poetry Month, I will be reading my work at three poetry-reading events. I’ve participated in poetry readings before, but I read my work. My goal, this year, was to recite a few of my poems from memory. The problem is, I can’t seem to memorize them, not even the shorter ones. I don’t have any trouble remembering the lyrics to my favorite songs. However, when it comes to memorizing my poems, my brain won’t cooperate. I’ve tried and tried and tried. I can remember the concept, but my words, verbatim? Nope. I’m wondering if I will be forever married to the paper?

I’ve tried a few memorization strategies, but the one method I haven’t tried yet, is making a recording. Joseph Dempsey, in his article, “Tips for Memorizing Poems,” suggests making a recording if you want to try to memorize a poem when driving or jogging. Here are some of his other tips for poetry memorization (abbreviated, check out the article for more in-depth descriptions):

1. Choose wisely: Pick a poem you like to read and re-read.

2. Print a copy: Type up the poem and carry it with you, reading it when you get a free moment.

3. Read the poem. Then read it again: Read the poem in its entirety and then read it again.

4. Read the poem aloud: Hear how the poem sounds.

5. Look closely: Think about every word, what it means, what it sounds like, etc.

6. Make a recording: Record the poem and play it back when you’re unable to read it.

7. Break it up into sections: Learn one section; move on the next.

8. Take a break: Give the poem a chance to sink deeper into your long-term memory.

9. Use training wheels: Carry the poem with you as a cheat sheet, and glance at it when needed until you no longer need it.

10. Enlist a stage hand: Practice reciting the poem in front of others.

11. Keep reciting the poem to yourself: Instead of counting sheep to fall asleep, recite the poem.

Even if I don’t succeed in memorizing my poems, I will still exercise my presentation skills by speaking clearly and slowly and being expressive!

Do you have any tips for memorizing poetry?

Saturday, April 3, 2010

A Lady Who Thinks She Is Thirty

By Ogden Nash

Unwillingly Miranda wakes,
Feels the sun with terror,
One unwilling step she takes,
Shuddering to the mirror.

Miranda in Miranda's sight
Is old and gray and dirty;
Twenty-nine she was last night;
This morning she is thirty.

Shining like the morning star,
Like the twilight shining,
Haunted by a calendar,
Miranda is a-pining.

Silly girl, silver girl,
Draw the mirror toward you;
Time who makes the years to whirl
Adorned as he adored you.

Time is timelessness for you;
Calendars for the human;
What's a year, or thirty, to
Loveliness made woman?

Oh, Night will not see thirty again,
Yet soft her wing, Miranda;
Pick up your glass and tell me, then--
How old is Spring, Miranda?

Thursday, April 1, 2010

April is National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern.