The poets corner at Curley’s was packed on Wednesday, June 25, for Veronica Jones.

It was her evening! Veronica’s poems come deep from her heart, reflecting everyday joys and aches and worries.

After the reading, Veronica told us that she’s been writing poetry since she was ten years old. Even during the ten years she served in the navy she never gave up writing poetry, and she still continues to do so. She joined Curley’s poetry group in 2003.

Veronica’s family and friends participated enthusiastically during the open mic session, sharing thoughts and concerns of today’s world.

Here is one of Veronica's poems:

HISTORY MAKING

Certain individuals hold
Their ability to brave and bold
BLACK HISTORY

BEAUTIFUL BLACK VOICES
Echo the silence of our ANCESTORS
Who live in us
Day to day
Like today

Monumental statements
MOVE us to memorable our
CREATIONS

Vision the change because
That’s what history is

Black really is BEAUTIFUL
I know you have heard
I thought
I would
Remind you TODAY

Last Wednesday at Curley’s
A poetry series in downtown Stamford

Featured poet - Veronica Jones

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Curley’s Diner

Open Mic at 8:30 p.m.

All are welcome

This project has been partially funded by a Community Arts Partnership Program Grant from the City of Stamford. Thank you for supporting the arts!

Last Wednesday at Curley’s
A poetry series in downtown Stamford

Wednesday, May 28, 2008, Eva-Maria Palevich, long-time member of the PoemAlley community, read at Curley’s Diner.

Eva-Maria read a variety of old and new poems, including some requests from the audience. After listening to her work over the years, we have developed some favorites! Eva-Maria's delivery is crystal clear and her German accent lends interest for American listeners. Her poems are a mixture of delicacy and strength, her subject matter varying from difficult topics such as war and aging to more tender subjects like friendship and childhood memories.

The dining room at Curley's was full for Eva-Maria's reading, and Channel 12 paid us a visit and plans to broadcast some of the reading. After the reading, as usual, there was a period for feedback and questions for the poet, then time for open mic.

Here is one of Eva-Maria’s poems:

This Precious Piece Of Lace

This precious piece of lace
you made for me, its intricate
woven flowers speak:
“Do you remember?”
Oh yes, I do!
Only now I understand it all
how intimate those moments were,
how you bridged those sorrowful times
with comforting songs and play,
then continued in your quiet way
weaving my fears of war into this piece.
Your bent shoulders carried my load,
made the ring of childhood bearable
and possible to widen unharmed
into life’s second ring.

When we saw each other for the last time
you were too ill to open the door
but your eyes were still good and bright,
they did the hugging for the incapable arms.
How could I put this woven wonder
on a table just to be covered with some trinkets!
Are you smiling now?

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Curley’s Diner

A poetry series in downtown Stamford . . .
Last Wednesday at Curley’s

Featuring

Eva-Maria Palevich

Open Mic at 8:30 p.m.

All are welcome

This project has been partially funded by a Community Arts Partnership Program Grant from the City of Stamford. Thank you for supporting the arts!

We received the sad news that Ralph Nazareth's wife, Linda, passed away on Tuesday, May 13th. Ralph has been a friend to poetry in Stamford for many years and was a founder of PoemAlley. Condolences to Ralph and his family on behalf of the community of poets and writers who love them.

Donations in lieu of flowers:
St. Luke's LifeWorks, 141 Franklin St, Stamford, CT 06901 (203) 388-0100

Monday, May 12th at 7.15pm

Barnes & Noble, Stamford Town Center

Monday Night Poetry

FEATURING

Joan Heller Winokur


Joan has been involved in the arts throughout her life, but discovered the writing of poetry only a few years ago. It has become her passion. She is a published poet whose work has appeared in a number of national literary journals and on several websites including USA Today.She hopes her audience will relate to, connect and identify with her poems.

PLUS:

OPEN MIC

We meet the second Monday of each month at Barnes & Noble Booksellers / Stamford Town Center

Please come and listen to local poets, bring a favorite poem, read your own poems too.


Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Stamford Town Center
100 Greyrock Place Suite H009
Stamford, CT 06901
203-323-1248

See John Sakson's Poets Page for John's biography. We are glad to have his presence on this site.

Links to more poems from John:
What Now Here
A Prayer
Scarecrow Father

Last Wednesday at Curley’s
A poetry series in downtown Stamford

Wednesday, March 26, 2008, John Sakson, one of PoemAlley @ Curley’s poets, read at Curley’s Diner.

About 25 poets and friends attended to listen to this inspiring reading. It was a great evening. Thank you, John, for sharing your poetry with us.

Here is one of John’s poems:

From Page to Stage
A workshop on performing your poetry

On Saturday, March 29, 2008, PoemAlley sponsored a two-hour workshop for poetry with the support of a grant from Stamford’s CAPP. (Community Arts Partnership Program)

Published poet Faith Vicinanza was the presenter, focusing on the art of performing one’s work in public.

The event was a huge success. Faith invited 16 poets who attended to interact and participate in feedback for every poem that was presented. This was a highpoint and made for a very stimulating learning experience.

A surprise visit by Faith’s friend Zork (he runs the open mikes in Westchester County) got the adrenalin going even more. His humor and insight in performing one’s work was special.

Following the workshop, Faith conducted a two-hour one-on-one coaching session for attendees who were interested in a critique of their poems and information on getting published.

The event could never have happened without the generosity of the Unitarian Universalist Society. Thanks are due to Rev. Ron Sala, the Board, and the Congregation. Thanks also to Bonnie Currie for always being there with suggestions, refreshments and a helping hand; and to Bill Latham for setting up and cleaning up as always when needed; and to Catherine Ednie for creating yet another beautiful poster for the event and posting information on the web. Even though Catherine was under the weather she managed to cook a lentil soup for us. It was appreciated by all.

And lastly, special thanks to our angel Tara Fleck, who handled so many administrative details with admirable patience. Poets who enrolled by phone asked us who that nice lady was who spoke to them and helped them.

Unfortunately, Ralph Nazareth was not able to participate at this workshop because of family illness. Ralph, everyone’s thoughts are with you and all members of your family.

From Page to Stage was a truly wonderful event.

Sincerely,

Eva-Maria, Coordinator of PoemAlley

Last Wednesday at Curley’s
A poetry series in downtown Stamford

Featured poet - John Sakson

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Curley’s Diner

Open Mic at 8:30 p.m.

All are welcome

This project has been partially funded by a Community Arts Partnership Program Grant from the City of Stamford. Thank you for supporting the arts!