Dear Friends,

This month our “Last Wednesdays @ Curley’s” will take place early. Next Wednesday, September 17, 2008, Kirsten Crowley, a long time member at Curley’s and a student at NYU, is in Stamford for a visit. Ralph Nazareth asked her if she’d be willing to read for us. The answer was yes. So let us give her a warm welcome back.

Kirsten will start reading at 7:30 PM. As always, there will be an open Mic afterwards.

We are looking forward to seeing you next Wednesday.

Eva-Maria from
PoemAlley @ Curley’s

Summer Sunday Reading, July 13, 2008
at the
Unitarian Universalist Society in Stamford

Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
“By nature, men are nearly alike;
by practice, they get to be wide apart.”
~Confucius~

How can we ensure dignity and freedom for all?
The poets from PoemAlley@Curley’s and friends invited
all people of free faith to join together and celebrate
this Summer Sunday reading.

Participants at the reading were:

Welcome ~ Eva-Maria Palevich

Eleni Begetis Anastos
(poem read by Jim Janke)
Jim Janke
Catherine Ednie
Herb Davison
Eva-Maria Palevich
Ralph Nazareth
Dale Shaw
Don Currie
Robert Sanders

Closing remarks ~ Ralph Nazareth

It was a lovely, stimulating reading
to an appreciative audience.
Thank you so much to all
for the warm hospitality, and to the volunteers
who gave their time to make it so special.

Eva-Maria of PoemAlley and friends.

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: