Yesterday was the monthly meeting of the Poets 4–a group of four poets (myself being one) who have been getting together now since February to share our poems, process, books, ideas, workshop experiences, and whatever else has any relevance to poetry. We’re all working at a similar level with our poetry endeavors and love to bounce all sorts of questions, musings and frustrations off each other. I met Barbara first at a workshop we attended in L.A. and then we took a UCLA Intermediate Poetry class with Laurel Ann Bogan in the winter where we met Nancy and then we both went to the Idyllwild Summer Poetry in 2004, where we met Mary. This past winter I was feeling the need to be in a group (didn’t have one at the time) and so was Barbara so we called the other two and thus began our Poets 4 monthly soirees.

************

Barbara, who doubles as an incredible artist

Nancy, who hosted us this month.

Mary, focusing intently on the feedback

************

We all marvel at how much we enjoy each other’s company and sharing our triumphs and travails with writing, revising, submitting and reading, reading, reading poetry. We bring books of poetry, CDs of readings, handouts from workshops we’ve attended, and of course, our latest poems to share and get feedback on. We feel comfortable with each other, safe to express our opinions, to get it wrong, to take risks and to give or receive support when we are struggling–and believe me, we have all struggled. We get together on Saturday mornings at one of our houses from 10 to about 1, then we have lunch together, either heading out to a restaurant or enjoying a casual “at home” affair. The time always flies and we wish it was longer–I know I do.

Community for me is key in any endeavor I undertake and it is no different with poetry. The creation of poetry is generally done in solitude (although it can be done collaboratively), I believe having various levels of community that can be both sounding board and moral support is crucial in keeping perspective on what matters most in life and in poetry. I feel very grateful to have Mary, Barbara and Nancy as dear friends and fellow poeteers. I am also blessed to have an extended community through many of the wonderful poets I have met in the last few years at Squaw Valley, Napa Valley, Idyllwild, and the other workshops and events I have participated in. Poems are great things–but without the men and women who sit down and write them, who turn their thoughts, observations, longings and griefs into words on the page…well, now, to my mind, those amazing people are the true works of art.

Food, books, poems—they all mix together in blissful harmony.

Me, Barbara & Mary–Nancy had to take the picture!