Guild gives poets chance to share work with others

A recently formed poetry writers group at the Cape Girardeau Public Library is giving local poets a new venue to share their work and help one another improve their writing.

Jerry Swan, the group's organizer, said he thinks of the group as a way to bring people who write poetry at home out to a public forum, allowing them to share and develop their skills, as well as allowing an awareness of poets in Cape Girardeau.

Five poets attended the first meeting Jan. 13 and shared a number of different subjects and styles.

Nicole Peats read a poem about a dream she had of a recent trip to Europe. Ronald Beasley came with a poem about a walk in the park and one about someone in his life with a drinking problem. Others read about nature or relationships.

Don McAnally recited several of his poems from memory. He brought with him to the meeting a large collection of poems he had written over many years. The group agreed with the verses of his first poem, "Winter Blues," where he wished for warmer days. His second poem was about his dog, and the third about a divorce and his relationships with his children. The group gave critiques of each other's poems as they took turns reciting. They discussed form poetry and forced rhyming later in the meeting.

Swan said his interest in poetry stemmed from his experience in songwriting. He formerly lead the SEMO Acoustic Musicians Guild, which also met at the library. He also took several poetry and creative writing classes at Southeast Missouri State University.

The library, Swan said, was receptive to the idea of a poetry group because there had been one several years ago. During the Jan. 13 meeting, members were invited to read poetry as part of National Library Week in April, where the library will present events honoring author and poet Ursula Le Guin.

Swan said as far as membership numbers go for the poetry writing group, he thinks a larger group could be productive toward planning events, but there is no goal.

"It's more about taking local talent and local writers and giving them an outlet to share with the public and learn," he said.

He hopes to have members join who already know about poetry as well as those who want to learn to improve their writing.

The group will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.