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Writer's pictureTamara Miles

"Rowing Toward the Grasses"

Updated: 3 days ago


Dear Friends, my mind is on turtles. This is because I've been invited to write and read a poem about turtles at an art gallery in a few weeks. I'd share my poem here, but it might spoil the surprise. So... let's begin instead with a poem by Kay Ryan, which begins with a discouraging question:


Who would be a turtle who could help it?

A barely mobile hard roll, a four-oared helmet,

she can ill afford the chances she must take

in rowing toward the grasses that she eats.


This has reminded me (again) of Kafka's "Metamorphosis" dilemma (a man awakening to find he has turned into a beetle). So many things seem to remind me of Kafka. Maybe it's the transformations and distortions of this world, and their way of keeping us startled. If I were a turtle... well, you know what a turtle does when it is startled. I've stuck my head in and stayed home a few times rather than deal with the unexpected, but here I am now sticking my head out again and rowing toward the grasses.


I told you I'd be moving more slowly in October, and I have. Still, I've made my way from grass to grass, taking chances.


We're about to make it to November, and Quitman Marshall is coming for a visit to Columbia as our first Midlands region reader for the ECEC series. More details, including Zoom links, provided in the Every Corner, Every County section of this newsletter.





I love traveling, but there's something satisfying about knowing I'll be home for the better portion of the next three months save a few turns southward or northward. There's a special Poetry Trails coming up in Murrell's Inlet, for instance...



and the turtle reading I mentioned, which is in Simpsonville.



And, remember, the Fall Contests are open until Nov. 15!



Now it's time to reflect on October, all you ghoulies. I'm writing this on the 29th. I wonder if any little turtles will make their way to trick or treat at our house. I'm going to be a cross between a disco queen and a hippie, I think. Send me pics of your shenanigans.


 

On October 26, Chris Blackmon, Tina Baumis, and I gathered several poets and friends to enjoy a night of readings. We featured Brittany Porcher, Vix Huda, and MV the Poet before heading into an open mic. It was a truly rewarding experience hosted by the Poetry Society and Hurricane Coffee Company in Ladson, SC.



 

 

On October 5, we hosted Al Black for a reading and workshop at Gage Hall as part of our ECEC reading series. Fabulous turnout for the workshop --- biggest we've had in my presidency (thank you, everybody), and a remarkable reading opened by Judith Reese.



Every Corner, Every County Reading Series



(Zoom registration for the workshop)


(Zoom registration for the reading)


The Oliver Bowman Memorial Prize


When Oliver Bowman passed away at the age of 92 on July 25, 2023, the Poetry Society of South Carolina suffered the loss of one of our finest, most beloved central figures. Generations of PSSC members have experienced his friendship and graciousness, from his first appearance before the group in 1963 right up to the time of his unexpected death. To honor Oliver, we are raising funds for the Oliver Bowman Memorial Prize that will begin this coming calendar year and continue for at least 10 years, if we can raise sufficient funds. If you would like to contribute to this collective, "The Friends of Oliver Bowman," send a check for any amount you're comfortable with to PSSC, P.O. Box 1090, Charleston, SC 29402. Make check payable to "PSSC." Please indicate that your donation is for the "Oliver Bowman Memorial Prize." Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law and will be acknowledged with an official letter for tax purposes.


Another Way to Support the Society



You can look sporty and support the important work of the Poetry Society with each purchase. I just bought the bag! Click here to visit the website.


The Poetry Prompt Contest


I completely forgot about putting out a new prompt last month! My apologies.


The Poetry Prompt Contest is a monthly contest where we encourage you to submit a piece inspired by the new prompt found below. The winning poem or flash fiction is published in the following month's newsletter. We also offer the winner the opportunity to record a video of him or herself reading the poem to be posted to the Poetry Society's YouTube channel. There is no obligation to record the video, it is only there as an offer if the winner feels comfortable doing so.


The prompt for November will be turtles, or as an alternative, the month of November (which could lend itself to Thanksgiving, etc.) Please send your poem to everycornereverycounty@gmail.com, and let me know which county you are in. Thank you!


Members in the News


Ruth Nicholson's poem "Because of Her Profession" appears in the Art of Nursing section of the American Journal of Nursing's October 2024 issue.


Janet Kozachek has shared the following:


Other Places is a reading of poetry and prose by authors who have spent their formative years or significant portions of their adult lives living abroad, acquiring second or third languages, and becoming familiar with other cultures. These experiences outside of the United States bring  a multicultural perspective to their work and presentations. Authors are Nathaniel Wallace, Lawrence Rhu, Janet Kozachek, Nicola Waldron, Charles Watts, and Yi Li Fan. The event will take place in the Technology Room at the Orangeburg County Library on Saturday, November 16, from 2pm - 4:30pm. Activities will include author presentations, refreshments, and an open mic with opportunities for audience participation and questions. Books will be available for perusal.


Libby Bernardin shared the following:



And Marjory Wentworth shared a few events: first, this:


At the Gaillard Center in Charleston:


and this, at the Dock Street Theatre, Charleston.




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