Composer-pianist David Freuzeig brought his 33rd Play Every Town:  251 252 Community Concerts for a Cooler Climate to Middlesex on Friday, June 2nd. On the spur of the moment, George Longenecker (Exec Secretary and Past President of PSOV) was invited to join Freuzeig on stage for an improv reading of two poems from his book, Star Route which he happened to have copies of in his car. George read, “It Doesn’t Matter Much on Jupiter” and “Distorted Glass” as Freuzieg accompanied him on a 1908 piano to an audience on The Green at Camp Meade. 

You wake me to see Jupiter, so bright,
aligned with four more planets. Saturn, Mars
Venus and Mercury. When the moon sets,
those other worlds glow. All night barred
owls call back and forth from palms and pines

first stanza from “It Doesn’t Matter Much on Jupiter”

The Vermont Humanities Council will once again offer in-person, in-nature poetry at state parks across Vermont. Joining this year’s poets to Words in the Woods are Poetry Society of Vermont members; Linda Quinlan (July 15th at Elmore State Park, Elmore, VT) and Geza Tatrallyay (August 27th at Silver Lake State Park, Barnard, VT) All events begin at 11:00 a.m. and are free to the public.

from our friends at Rabbit & Wolf Adventures

June 7th -Kellogg Hubbard Library

Hayes Room 6pm – 8pm

This is a super exciting line-up! Each poet will read for 20 minutes. Please note, there is another event/gathering in the other library space, but I will do my best to have signage leading the way.

— Robyn Joy, Rabbit & Wolf Adventures

Featuring:

Kim Ward
Samn Stockwell (PSOV member)
Judith Chalmer (PSOV 2023 Fall Workshop Leader)
Eve Alexander

Upcoming Events from Rabbit & Wolf:

Rabbit & Wolf’s June 15 reading at The Front with Eva Zimet and the last minute addition of Scudder Parker (Yay! I love this for us!)

Pride Poetry take two at Fox Market and Bar with four more delightfully queer poets (6/16, 7-9pm)

Featuring:

Buffy Aakaash (PSOV Member)
Eva Zimet
Gus Roberson
Jordan Turk

with Mary Rose Dougherty

Offered through OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at UVM  -scroll down to find “The Natural Muse: In Among the Trees)

Thursday, June 22, 10:30 am-noon ET
Member of OLLI: $15 – Non-Member: $30
We’ll gather to share and discuss poems of well-known writers such as Rumi, Joy Harjo, John Muir, Wendy Lewis, Octavio Paz, and others, looking at their subject matter as well as how the poems are shaped. How might these poems help us to forge a relationship between ourselves and trees, and with nature in general? Participants will be invited to respond in writing and share what they’ve written. Prior to writing, be prepared for a brief but essential pause for a quiet walkabout. Bring your camp chair if you wish. Held in Jericho.

with Mary Rose Dougherty

Update:

We had a lively and informative conversation with a panel of five published poets–George Longenecker, Elizabeth McCarthy, Carol Milkuhn, Erika Nichols-Frazer and Geza Tatrallyay. To learn more about their books, go to the member publications link. To be in contact with panelists email Mary Rose Dougherty at troubadour editor.

Here is a list of a few upcoming submission opportunities shared by Elizabeth McCarthy: Current Opportunities for Poetry Chapbook Submissions.

Sunday, May 21 4-5:30 on Zoom

We’ll have a panel of PSOV members who have published their books. Our panelists will share their experiences to help you plan your next steps toward this milestone, should you desire. Please note: we won’t consider self-publication at this event.  Members are invited to attend; bring your questions for our panel. What are the ins and outs of publishing beyond having an incredible manuscript of poems that you’ve been publishing in magazines over the years? Come join us to learn more!

Please RSVP by Monday, May 15th to troubadour editor using the following subject line: Book Publishing Conversation.