In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Louisiana Center for the Book is pleased to announce the ninth annual “Just Listen to Yourself: The Louisiana Poet Laureate Presents Louisiana Poets” program. Louisiana Poet Laureate Jack Bedell will host the event on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Seminar Center of the State Library, 701 N. 4th St., Baton Rouge.
Bedell has invited six poets from across the state to participate in readings of their work. Participating poets include Mona Lisa Saloy, Genaro Ky Ly Smith, and John Warner Smith as well as previous Louisiana poet laureates Darrell Bourque, Ava Leavell Haymon, and Julie Kane.
“Louisiana is a state rich in culture, and poetry is no exception,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton and Poet Laureate Jack Bedell do a phenomenal job bringing together some of the best talent Louisiana has to offer.”
“Each year I look forward to the opportunity to hear the amazing Louisiana poets from all corners of the state assembled by our poet laureate,” said Rebecca Hamilton, State Librarian. “It’s an inspiring event that makes one proud to be a Louisianan.”
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch.
Distributed at the April 17, 2019 poetry celebration at the State Library of Louisiana
What Is the Name for a Group of Poets?
a poem by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
A colony of beavers
must know something
about colons and semicolons.
A sleuth of bears
hibernates to envision
the highs and lows of detective stories.
A kaleidoscope of butterflies
flutters around fictional fantasies.
But, what do we call
a group of poets?
A murder of crows
sounds appropriate for
a group of mystery writers.
A flight of doves
must develop
many creative ideas.
A convocation of eagles
must ease into
historical fiction.
A cast of falcons
must focus on
TV scripts and stage dramas.
A stand of pink flamingos
perches upright and ready
to present
behind any podium.
Perhaps, you can think of what to call
a group of poets.
A cackle of hyenas
have to turn to comedy.
A troop of kangaroos
can write military history.
A leap of leopards
jumps into a variety
of genres of literature.
A charm of magpies
channels their talents
into romance writing.
A watch of nightingales
knows when to write
bedtime stories for children.
Before the end of this night,
please tell me the name
for a group of poets.
A parliament of owls,
a pod of dolphins,
a pride of lions,
a company of parrots,
a kit of pigeons,
a litter of puppies–
all meet to ponder
the predicament of naming
a group of poets.
Near the Poetic License Branch,
a chattering of squirrels
may reveal the choice.
A game of swans may select
the winning name.
A descent of woodpeckers
may tell us their pick.
A dazzle of zebras
strongly endorses:
“a passion of poets.”
However, I vote with
an exaltation of larks
and their proclamation of
“an exclamation of poets.”
We will write,
discuss, recite, and critique
poetry:
welcome, and come join my
Exclamation of Poets.
copyright 2018, ajm
https://alice13wordwalk.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/what-is-the-name-for-a-group-of-poets/