Upcoming Poetry Reading at NHTI (Concord, NH)

I'll be giving a poetry reading at NHTI in Concord on April 12, 2023. This event is open to the public.

 

Celebrate April 2023 National Poetry Month with NH Public Radio

 

April is National Poetry Month and New Hampshire Public Radio wants to hear from you. Is there a poem that reminds you of a special place here in the Granite State? Maybe you associate a poem with the memory of a place you’ve visited, a spot you often return to, or a hidden gem here in New Hampshire.

Email NHPR a poem, by a poet other than yourself, that evokes the spirit of your special place in New Hampshire to voices@nhpr.org, and tell NHPR what it means to you. We’ll share your poems and reflections with State Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary and they may be read on the air or posted online. If you have a photo of that place, please include it.

Please keep your explanations to 200 words or less. If you are under 18, please indicate in your response. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, April 23.

Teen Poetry Contest to Celebrate National Poetry Month

 

Beginnings NHPR All Things Considered Program, January 19, 2023

 

CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR WITH POETRY 

Here's the recording from NHPR All Things Considered "Beginnings," January 19, 2023. Check out three gorgeous poems by New Hampshire residents on the theme of beginnings. Thank you to everyone who sent work in! I was honored to read your poems and wish we had time to read everyone's work. Keep writing in the New Year!

"Beginnings"

About the Programming:

This month, I'm teaming up with Julia Furukawa, Host of NHPR All Things Considered, to ring in the new year with your poetry. Send us your original poem on the theme of "Beginnings."

*

Beginnings can be wonderful but also daunting. This situation is especially true when we consider starting a new piece of writing.

We often heap onto a new writing moment a lot of "extra" thoughts. We might pile on second guesses about our ability. We start worrying about what others will think about us. As a result, we give up the wonderful freedom and creativity we all have in the present moment.

To help listeners jumpstart poems around the theme of "Beginnings," I offered a few tips and prompts on the radio on Wednesday, December 21. (You can find them below.)

As the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki said, "In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." Through a mindful writing perspective, we have many strategies for razing preconceptions and capturing fresh thinking. 

Let this month become a reboot for your writing.

*

For a beginner's mind for your poetry this month:

1. Try Moment Tracking. This is a strategy I use in my mindful writing classes.

Ask yourself, "What am I thinking right now about beginnings?" Jot down whatever comes to mind without fixing it. Ask yourself again, "What am I thinking right now about beginnings?" Jot down whatever comes to mind this time, without critiquing it. And a third time. 

Like a hummingbird, dip into your mind, see what arises, and jot it down, without correcting.

Practice this quick method 2-3 times a day. After a week, reread your notes. Select one or more details or phrases for your poem.

2. Keep paper and pen near your bed: Capture first thoughts at the start of consciousness, without fixing whatever arises. Try not to type your first thoughts onto your cell phone (distracting). Use old fashioned paper and pen.

The beginning of a new day of life, in synch with the topic of beginning.

3. Start your poem on beginnings mid-stream: The first line should either begin with an ellipsis (...) or in the middle of a sentence. This method suggests the ongoing nature of creativity. 

Newness comes from perceiving the ongoing.

4. Structured prompt: Personify "beginning." If Beginning were alive:

• What kind of room or house would it prefer?
• What sort or landscape or cityscape is its natural habitat?
• If it were an insect, bird, or animal, what would it be?
• If it had a best friend, who would that be?
• If it used a human gesture or way of talking, what would that be?

Jot down responses. Pick the one or two with the most creative energy for you. Build a poem by telling a story around your response.

Judging Crosswinds Poetry Journal Contest (Deadline December 31, 2022)

Issue 3 of Under the Madness Magazine Is Published

 

The staff at Under the Madness Magazine is pleased to announce our third issue!

Under the Madness Magazine is edited by New Hampshire teens and publishes teens from around the globe writing (or translating their work) into English. 

Issue 3 features teens from across the United States, including Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Massachusetts, and our very own New Hampshire. For your reading pleasure, Issue 3 also shares work from writers who call China and Singapore home. 

More cool news about this issue! We debut our first Special Half Issue: ten young writers from Brazil. This Special Issue was accomplished in partnership with the Urca Institute, a non-profit institution that works in the State of Rio de Janeiro. 

Stay tuned for an upcoming virtual reading of teens published in this issue.

Come read us: Issue 3

We're already reading for Issue 4, so if you're a teen writing creatively in English, send us your work! Submission Guidelines

Celebrating Beginnings with New Hampshire Public Radio

 

CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR WITH POETRY 

This month, I'm teaming up with Julia Furukawa, Host of NHPR All Things Considered, to ring in the new year with your poetry. Send us your original poem on the theme of "Beginnings."

*

Beginnings can be wonderful but also daunting. This situation is especially true when we consider starting a new piece of writing.

We often heap onto a new writing moment a lot of "extra" thoughts. We might pile on second guesses about our ability. We start worrying about what others will think about us. As a result, we give up the wonderful freedom and creativity we all have in the present moment.

To help listeners jumpstart poems around the theme of "Beginnings," I offered a few tips and prompts on the radio on Wednesday, December 21. (You can find them below.)

As the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki said, "In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." Through a mindful writing perspective, we have many strategies for razing preconceptions and capturing fresh thinking. 

Let this month become a reboot for your writing.

*

For a beginner's mind for your poetry this month:

1. Try Moment Tracking. This is a strategy I use in my mindful writing classes.

Ask yourself, "What am I thinking right now about beginnings?" Jot down whatever comes to mind without fixing it. Ask yourself again, "What am I thinking right now about beginnings?" Jot down whatever comes to mind this time, without critiquing it. And a third time. 

Like a hummingbird, dip into your mind, see what arises, and jot it down, without correcting.

Practice this quick method 2-3 times a day. After a week, reread your notes. Select one or more details or phrases for your poem.

2. Keep paper and pen near your bed: Capture first thoughts at the start of consciousness, without fixing whatever arises. Try not to type your first thoughts onto your cell phone (distracting). Use old fashioned paper and pen.

The beginning of a new day of life, in synch with the topic of beginning.

3. Start your poem on beginnings mid-stream: The first line should either begin with an ellipsis (...) or in the middle of a sentence. This method suggests the ongoing nature of creativity. 

Newness comes from perceiving the ongoing.

4. Structured prompt: Personify "beginning." If Beginning were alive:

• What kind of room or house would it prefer?
• What sort or landscape or cityscape is its natural habitat?
• If it were an insect, bird, or animal, what would it be?
• If it had a best friend, who would that be?
• If it used a human gesture or way of talking, what would that be?

Jot down responses. Pick the one or two with the most creative energy for you. Build a poem by telling a story around your response.

I look forward to having the chance to read your poem!

Alexandria Peary

NH Poet Laureate