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Elizabeth Marro's avatar

I write poems when I was in grade school and high school but never since. In the past few years, I've started to read more poetry. I am drawn to poets who inspired by nature and those who draw from the quotidian and show me all the ways something so common can also be so much more. Yes to Mary Oliver!

Lori L. Lake's avatar

I am far behind on reading your missives, Sandra, but I HAVE read the migraine poetry book, and it's excellent. And btw, I hope you surpass 11 poetry books in your Poetry for the New Millennium Series. What's up next?

Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

Yes, highly. He creates these beautiful little books where he compiles the work of different poets. How to Live the World is the first one I read. He also offers online poetry if resilience workshops. He recently was interviewed on the podcast The One You Feed. I get his weekly emails and look forward to them each week. 😊

Sandra de Helen's avatar

I will seek him out.

Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

Have you read the compilations of James Crews?

Sandra de Helen's avatar

I haven't. Are you recommending? What do you like about it/him?

Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

I will. Thanks for the rec

Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

I love Mary Oliver too. She is one of my fav writers, and I consider her a wise sage, like if we listened more to people like her, the world would be a lot better. I think her poetry is easy to understand but deeply meaningful and beautiful. I read a book of poetry last week by a favorite writing teacher of mine. I understood some of it, but I think I may need to read it four or five more times to really understand it. I’m not sure if I like that or not. I read a W.H. Auden poem this week, and same kind of thing. When I did make meaning of something though, after my third read or so, it was pretty cool, and maybe felt more meaningful or meaningful in a different way. That being said, if I could take only one book with me to the desert island, it would be hands down Devotions every time.

Sandra de Helen's avatar

Thank you! What you said above is the reason I try to make all my poetry accessible, easy to understand o the first reading. Do give Andrea Gibson a try if you haven't read their work. I think you like it.

Sandra de Helen's avatar

I'm not sure there will be a next, Lori. I haven't given it much thought. Now working on the third in the Shirley Combs mystery series, as well as a new play of course. Thank you for the kind words re the migraine book!