Sacramento Public Library discussion

I think I am going to revisit an old favorite Where The Sidewalk Ends. Looks like there is an anniversary edition with 12 extra poems! I can read a few each night before bed to fuel my dream.

I recently had the chance to meet poet/author Margarita Engle, and hear her speak about some of her books. She has written several great novels in verse, a couple of my favorites being The Wild Book and Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck.

Super - I just checked the SPL website and there were a few copies of The Best American Poetry 2013 still available, so I put one on hold. Thanks!

I took a Poetry class at Cosumnes about a year ago and while we learned how to write poetry in certain styles, we were also encouraged to write our own poetry. I actually submitted two of my poems to the library last August for the summer reading program. We had two poetry writers visit our class to give us inspiration and to help us realize that poetry does not have to follow a set pattern. I look forward to reading some new poetry over spring vacation.

I read daily poems from Poetry.org and from "The Writer's Almanac" but plan to read one of Billy Collins' poetry collections for this challenge.

A friend just sent me a copy of "Now I Become Myself" by May Sarton--it's a powerful and wonderful poem!

Chelsea wrote: "Francie, Billy Collins is a poet I've been meaning to explore for awhile. I'm glad you mentioned him.

Here's a link to Flavorwire's suggestions for essential poetry selections:
http://flavorwire...."

Chelsea: thanks for the link to Flavorwire… and I've placed a hold on Life on Mars.

I second the Collins mention: he's the perfect entry point for people who think poetry is "difficult" or "esoteric." Pinup is great for introducing people to Collins.

I'm glad to see Wallace Stevens on Flavorwire's list. I'll mention another favorite who didn't make the list: Robinson Jeffers. His Gray Weather perfectly evokes the Northern California coast, with hints of his Eastern philosophy. An early environmentalist and pacifist, Jeffers' reputation was badly damaged by his opposition to the US' participation in WWII.

Since I seem to be making a list, I feel compelled to mention my favorite poem of all time: Allen Ginsberg's Sunflower Sutra. I stumbled across this poem when I was sixteen, and to put it simply, it changed my life. Not as bleak, angry, and alienated as Howl, it ends on a note of beauty and hope.

Finally received "Where the Sidewalk Ends".....7 silly poems before bed! Going to be a great way to end my stressful days!

I have the 12 bonus poems to read in Where The Sidewalk ends. I saved them for tonight. it really was a nice way to transition from the busyness of the day to falling asleep!

I finally got around to reading "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg. It proved to be so psychedelic and dense that I then had to turn to Poetry for Students in the Gale Virtual Reference Library to decode the poem and get some biographical information on Ginsberg.

Thanks Chelsea for getting me to expand my reading horizons!!