Tonight, I saw U.P. poet laureate, Andrea Scarpino, read her poetry at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan. Andrea's poem, "Widow Window," appeared in Issue 2 of damselfly press (that little online mag for which I am co-founder/co-editor). After the reading, I went up to introduce myself. I was so excited; I kind of bumbled my way through praise of her work (wonderful stuff - please check it out: Once, Then from Red Hen Press 2014 and an upcoming book, too!), and then we met another damselfly poet, Laura Smyth (Issue 21), whose beautiful chapbook, Wandering in My Mind, which she designed, was recently published by Finishing Line Press - I can't wait to read it! I was so happy to meet not only past contributers but fellow poets! Really good poets, too! We talked about how hard it can be to find a writing community, especially in small towns and, for me, away from academia.
We often think of writing as a solitary endeavor, but community, as in most aspects of life, is essential and wonderful and special and often lacking in our lives. Many of us just don't know how to find each other! Have faith, fellow poets! Go to whatever readings and events you can, introduce yourself, and if all else fails, look to the Internet. Start a conversation. Join one. Join me.
