We’re in the throes of springtime and the creative juices are flowing in Tennessee. Hendersonville Poet Laureate and regular at the Brew Henry L. Jones composed a lovely poem which he shares here:
The Chattanooga Writers’ Guild hosts many worthwhile workshops and events on zoom, with one of particular note coming up Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 AM. Friend of the Brew Ray Zimmerman will interview Finn Bille and Helga Kidder about their most recent books. This is an opportunity to hear great poetry with a discussion by its authors and support your fellow writers. Helga’s latest poetry collection, Loving the Dead, won the 2020 Blue Light Press Book Award. Fin’s most recent book, The King’s Coin, won accolades from the Danish American Heritage Society. Find out more on Facebook, and join the zoom meeting here.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Reading from 6 – 8:00 PM CDT Sat. April 17. Join us on zoom (session opens 5:45 PM):
Based in Nashville, hosted and organized by Christine Hall, with special thanks to our zoom moderator and benefactor Jo Collins.
The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CDT with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Sign up for the open mic here:
When you send the form, you will receive a confirmation on this page. We will follow up with an email of the list order at the end of the week, before the reading. Contact us with any questions, suggestions, or requests at poetryinthebrew@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing and hearing you soon!
For a bonus bit of viewing, here’s the video of our April 10th reading:
Featuring Michael Sindler, Clive Oseman, Randy Horton, Hil H, Richard Harries, Kelly Van Nelson, Jamie McCormick, Skylar J Wynter, Henry L. Jones, Greg Slade, Jo Collins, Ray Zimmerman, Bonnie Solloway, Doc Janning, Reese North, Caroline Minter, Katie Thompson, Jon Wesick, Michael Collins, Carl Lowe, Dylan Deforge, Sara Minges, Margaret O’Regan, David Stroud, Martin Parker, and Cynthia Winfield
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Reading from 6 – 8:00 PM CDT Sat. April 10. Join us on zoom (session opens 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Based in Nashville, hosted and organized by Christine Hall, with special thanks to our zoom moderator and benefactor Jo Collins.
The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CDT with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
EDIT. Signup is full. Join the waitlist here:
When you send the form, you will receive a confirmation on this page. We will follow up with an email of the list order at the end of the week, before the reading. Contact us with any questions, suggestions, or requests at poetryinthebrew@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing and hearing you soon!
Massive thanks to all 34 who shared on our open mic this past Saturday: Kevin Payne, Jeff Cottrill, Michael Sindler, Nina Adel, Fatima Lisbeth, Hil H, Vron McIntyre, Francis Golm, Rhoda Thomas, Tim Evans, Jamie McCormick, Markey Mark Symmonds, Clive Oseman, Jo Collins, Skylar J Wynter, Henry L. Jones, Generalissimo Bryan Franco, Franchesa Kirkpatrick, Jon Wesick, Christina Smith, Greg Slade, Katie Thompson, Bonnie Solloway, Phynne~Belle, Phillip Henry Christopher, Carl Lowe, Michael Collins, Nick Paleologos, Kayla Sue, Martin Parker, Richard Sanderell, Reese North, Cynthia Winfield, and Doc Janning. We love how your poetry expands and nourishes our minds.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Reading from 6 – 8:00 PM CDT Sat. April 3. Join us on zoom (session opens 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Based in Nashville, hosted and organized by Christine Hall, with special thanks to our zoom moderator and benefactor Jo Collins.
The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CDT with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
EDIT. Signup is full. Join the waitlist here:
When you send the form, you will receive a confirmation on this page. We will follow up with an email of the list order at the end of the week, before the reading. Contact us with any questions, suggestions, or requests at poetryinthebrew@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing and hearing you soon!
Here’s the video of our March 27th reading:
Featuring Caroline Burrows, Nina Adel, Vron McIntyre, Patti Dale, Rishi P, Hil H, Jo Collins, Clive Oseman, Skylar J Wynter, Jamie McCormick, Kevin Payne, Markey Mark Symmonds, Katie Thompson, Bryan Franco, Michael Sindler, Jeff Cottrill, Henry L. Jones, Greg Slade, Doc Janning, Carolyn Connolly, Gary Sedlacek, Carl Lowe, Jon Wesick, Phillip Henry Christopher, Dylan Deforge, Margaret O’Regan, Susanna Trifiletti, Caroline Minter, and Michael Collins
In a continuation of her important work addressing mental health care through poetry, we invite you to visit the new online home of Caroline Burrows’ poetry project ‘#PoetryHelps: Suicide Awareness and Prevention.’ The project and accompanying videos, developed with Glenside Hospital Museum as part of Bristol: A Poetic City, are now up on the newly rebranded Bristolideas website: #Poetry Helps: Suicide Awareness and Prevention – Bristol Ideas.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Reading from 6 – 8:00 PM CDT Sat. March 27. Join us on zoom (session opens 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Based in Nashville, hosted and organized by Christine Hall, with special thanks to our zoom moderator and benefactor Jo Collins.
The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CDT with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
UK poets please note, we moved our clocks one hour forward here for daylight savings, and the difference is 5 hours now until your time changes too, and then you will be Midnight Poets once again.
EDIT. Signup is full. Join the waitlist here:
When you send the form, you will receive a confirmation on this page. We will follow up with an email of the list order at the end of the week, before the reading. Contact us with any questions, suggestions, or requests at poetryinthebrew@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing and hearing you soon!
Here’s the video of our March 20th reading:
Featuring Margaret O’Regan, Markey Mark Symmonds, Hil H, Generalissimo Bryan Franco, Franchesa Kirkpatrick, Doc Janning, Jo Collins, K.H.A.O.S, Jamie McCormick, Henry L. Jones, Skylar J Wynter, Jon Wesick, Gary Sedlacek, Kevin Payne, Jeff Cottrill, Greg Slade, Caroline Minter, Michael Sindler, Phillip Henry Christopher, John Fitzsimmoms, Phynne~Belle (Tricia De Jesus), Carl Lowe, Ray Zimmerman, Mark Davison, Darrell Sadler, Scott Pleasants, Martin Parker, Starchild, Gary Huskisson, and Fin Hall
Let’s see, what poetic entertainment do we have for you this week? We’ll start with a new film by Fin Hall, Poets in Therapy, featuring a glorious gaggle of globetrotting guests, including regulars to the Brew.
In a very important announcement, today is the birthday of our zoom moderator, poet and performer extraordinaire Jo Collins. It is also Pi Day. Oh happy day! Last night we enjoyed a special round of snap poems in an Ode to Jo, followed by the open mic. If you missed it or want to relive it, we have the video!
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Reading from 6 – 8:00 PM CDT Sat. March 20. Join us on zoom (session opens 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Based in Nashville, hosted and organized by Christine Hall, with special thanks to our zoom moderator and benefactor Jo Collins.
The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CDT with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
UK poets please note, we moved our clocks one hour forward here for daylight savings, and the difference is 5 hours now until your time changes too, and then you will be Midnight Poets once again.
EDIT. Signup is full. Join the waitlist here:
When you send the form, you will receive a confirmation on this page. We will follow up with an email of the list order at the end of the week, before the reading. Contact us with any questions, suggestions, or requests at poetryinthebrew@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing and hearing you soon!
Our first order of business this week is congratulations to Henry L. Jones, a cherished poet, artist, and activist in our community who was newly named Poet Laureate of Hendersonville, Tennessee. We are excited to see Henry recognized with this well-deserved honor, and for the extension of his wonderful work in this role. You can view the induction ceremony here, including Henry sharing poetry dedicated to Women’s History Month:
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Based in Nashville, hosted and organized by Christine Hall, with special thanks to our zoom moderator and benefactor Jo Collins.
The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
EDIT. Signup is full. Join the waitlist here:
We wish you many ripe creative fruits to pluck and enjoy this week! Here’s the video of our March 6 open mic:
Based in Nashville, hosted and organized by Christine Hall, with special thanks to our zoom moderator and benefactor Jo Collins.
The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
We’re going to skip the external link this week and try something new for the sign up list. Let’s give it a whirl!
EDIT. Sign up list is full! Join the waitlist:
We look forward to hearing from you, and please remember to email poetryinthebrew@gmail.com with your poetry events and news if you’d like us to share them.
Tonight is our open mic, and we’re having a slow week with signups. Only 16 spots spoken for so far on a list with 25 spaces, so it promises to be an intimate reading. It’s been nearly a year of hosting events online now. February 2020 was the last time we met in person, and we’re feeling the fatigue too, missing the hugs and the buzz of existing in proximity. Sometimes the pauses last a while now, as we breathe between repetitions. There are so many heavy challenges to face and lots to process. As we aim to make art of it, we must also take rest and make the space to give gentle care to ourselves. Seems an opportune moment to cozy into the quiet, and with that we want to make sure you know: it’s a pillow fort poetry pj party at the Brew this evening.
Grab some cushy accoutrements, don your comfiest duds (dress code optional of course) and join us:
Reading from 6 – 8:00 PM CST tonight, Sat. Feb. 27 (session opens 5:45 PM). Join us here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054. Thanks ever so much to our esteemed benefactor Jo Collins for running the zoom.
If you have any poetry-related news or events coming up, we’re happy to share here. Send your announcements to poetryinthebrew@gmail.com and we’ll help spread the word. Enduring appreciation for our community, and a renewed commitment to supporting one another as we move through all the world’s stages.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
On Saturday the 20th, the Brew hosted a reading of The Pledge, an homage to MLK’s dream speech organized by Gary Huskisson of Say It Louder. Thanks to all who participated and all in attendance for sharing the space with us. Here is a link to the full length video of last week’s open mic featuring The Pledge, 50 lines by 50 contributors.
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo Collins for running the zoom.
This past Saturday Jo Collins and Markey Mark Symmonds treated us to glorious feature sets with a special guest, a duet, and two rounds of open mic snap poems. You can watch the video here on our Facebook page.
We have a special format on the 2nd Saturday of the month: 2 feature performances and 2 rounds of open mic Snap Poetry. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem.
We’ll enjoy a feature set from Jo Collins, then an open mic Snap round, a feature by Markey Mark Symmonds, and a 2nd round of Snap Poems. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Jo Collins, She/Her, is a Nashville poet who moonlights as a government attorney. Poetry has been brewing in her blood since she first took to the mic at Poetry in the Brew and delivered what was likely the world’s first erotic poem about Al Gore. Since that fateful night, she has been a frequent flyer at the Poetry in the Brew open mic (both in the flesh and in the dancefloor in space that is Zoom PitB).
Joanna has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. One day she will finish her Supreme Court musical, but probably not today because she is busy dreaming of brewin’ up magic with her Brew Buds.
Please contact her for collaborations and general merriment on Instagram or Facebook.
Markey Mark Symmonds- Rhythm of the Ink is a writer and performer of poetry and flash fiction. He started making poems as a teenager from music lyrics. At the time he was heavily influenced by Two Tone, Ska, and reggae. He also listened to a lot of material done by Gary Numan. Mark then came back to poetry when he met his wife 30 years ago when he would sit with her by a local lake and recite poetry which he made up on the spot.
Mark never really made any more poetry until the age of 46 when he was diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia. He then went back to college and retook his GCSE English language qualification which he passed at Level B. Having not found reading easy at school and being put off writing due to his difficulties, passing his GCSE English was a new lease of life for him.
In 2017 he started writing poetry at a phenomenal rate and set up his own Blog Site to share his words with the world. He published numerous poems in the Facebook groups he belonged to. The poetry was received well and soon Mark wanted to read to a live audience and started performing his poetry at Run Your Tongue, an open mic night in Kettering in his home county of Northamptonshire. He was able to watch and listen to local and national poets perform, and found himself attending this and many other open mic events locally and in many other countries. Markey Mark has also had work published in online journals such as Hidden Constellation and Ariel Chart, along with several anthologies, including Fallen Angel, Scriptstuff and poetic vision.
The pandemic of 2020 brought an abrupt halt to his and many other poets’ live performances. However, he took to zoom to perform his work across the country and the world with regular performances in Nashville, Perth in Australia, and Scotland. Mark has taken part in Bradford Fringe festival and the Melbourne Fringe with his and other poet’s work being streamed into the digital festival.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, February 13. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo Collins for running the zoom.
Perhaps you’ve seen rumblings about the St. Valentine’s Day Mascara event we’re co-producing with Like a Blot from the Blue and Eye Publish Ewe. If you’re looking for something to do on Sunday the 14th, we invite you to tune into our variety show streaming live on Facebook 7pm GMT / 1pm CST / 11am PST. Poetry + music + performance art = a date for everybody
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo Collins for running the zoom.
If you missed it or would like to relive it, please enjoy a video of this past Saturday’s open mic:
This Wednesday we invite you to tune into Outrage Against Racism, a poetry, prose and testimonial event for unity, fighting against racism, and supporting inclusivity. It will be livestreamed on Facebook 27th Jan. 7pm GMT.
Invited panel members include professors, literary critics, lecturers, poets, poetry societies, and poetry promoters. The event is coproduced by Stroud Against Racism, Say it Louder, Tish Camp and Dane Ince.
As we reflect and refocus this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we aim for alignment in words and actions, intention and effect.
Artists give language to ideas. Poets imagine and voice new possibilities for human expression, thoughts that become words upon which all action is built.
When we have the permission to bring what is inside out, to shed light on what might linger in the shadows, we can examine it. We can make informed choices. When we know better, we do better.
This poetry community—this network we share of people interconnected by experience, sentiment, and common interests—affords us the opportunity to participate in free exchange and mutually benefit from the elevated discourse. Sometimes this involves an exploration of our basest instincts. We cover sensitive and raw areas in the course of poetry, and a range of emotions and perspectives.
Where specific advisories about content are appropriate, we encourage those. Hate speech is its own category. Slurs can only be reclaimed by people who these terms target. We recognize the importance of balancing our freedoms with responsibility, and the need for consideration in our efforts to connect. At our open mic, we value equity and inclusivity, and it is our imperative to create a welcoming environment for those whose voices might otherwise be marginalized. We invite contributions that deepen and progress this conversation, and shared celebration of our evolving selves, work, and relationships.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Mark your calendars! Perhaps you already know February 14th is Valentine’s Day. Perhaps you are eyeing the date with wonder as to what in this wide, weird world you might do, and with whom. Perhaps you are looking at that fated Sunday with dread, but do not despair. The Brew crew, with our friends at Like a Blot from the Blue and Eyepublishewe, have an invitation for you—a poetry proposal, if you will. St. Valentine’s Day Mascara will be streaming live on Facebook starting at 11AM PST / 1PM CST / 7PM GMT. Poetry + music + performance art = a date for everybody!
Our host for St. Valentine’s Day Mascara is the beguiling Ms. Noir aka Mel Bradley. Here’s a teaser for the show from Ms. Noir herself:
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
We have a special format on the 2nd Saturday of each month: 2 feature performances and 2 rounds of open mic Snap Poetry. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem.
We’ll enjoy a feature set from Special K, then an open mic Snap round, a feature by Des Mannay, and a 2nd round of Snap Poems. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Special K shares her name with a well known cereal and the lesser known drug ketamine, and she’s okay with that because she knows her spoken words are healthy for the soul and addictive to the ear. You’ll know that too after one dose of what she offers up anytime she is on stage. Whether speaking to current societal situations or tantalizing your senses, Special K won’t soon be forgotten. When Special K grabs hold of the mic, she takes her audience on a roller coaster of emotion, ensuring each person feels the rawness of her words, as if they were being written specifically for that individual. Sit back, relax and get ready for the ride of a life time that will have you, too, coming back for more—it’s time to get addicted 2 spoken words.
Special K performs her poem “Black Woman”
Des Mannay is a Welsh writer of colour. His first poetry collection, Sod ’em – and tomorrow is published by Waterloo Press. He is co-editor of The Angry Manifesto poetry journal. An award-winning poet, Des has claimed top honors in the ‘rethinkyourmind’ (2015) and LIT-UP (2019) poetry competitions. In the Disability Arts Cymru Poetry Competition (2015), Des received 2nd/highly commended, and he earned the Gold Award at the Creative Future Literary Awards (2015). Shortlisted in 7 competitions, Des has performed at numerous venues/festivals. He is published in various poetry journals, with work in 20 poetry anthologies. Des is on facebook as “The stuff wot I wrote’ Des Mannay – hooligan Poet” and Twitter @hooliganpoet.
Des Mannay performs “They Call Me”
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, January 9. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo Collins for running the zoom.
We are almost there, and Saturday is our first reading of the New Year! Thank you everyone who bought a Brew Mug and posted pics. It’s not too late to get yours, and if you order by Thursday, you’ll get a free poem written for you by host Christine Hall.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Hello! Please allow us to introduce ourselves: we’re Poetry in the Brew! Right now we’re an online community but we have roots in the physical world. Since 2011, we’ve hosted poetry readings based in Nashville, TN. This year, we moved to weekly international zoom open mics. We also produce special events, and next year, concurrent with our 10th anniversary, we’re expanding into print materials.
Organizer Christine Hall has volunteered to run the blog, signup list, social media, and host the readings since 2014. Even before we went online, we welcomed poets from all over the world. Our community makes it possible for us to continue this work connecting artists, fostering collaborations, and providing a creative platform. Moderator Jo Collins graciously donates her time and the zoom meeting space where we come together each week.
We are thankful to the poets, spoken word artists, and storytellers who gather and share with brave vulnerability, good humor, and deep insights every Saturday.
This season, we’re offering a Poetry in the Brew mug, which for a limited time comes with a custom poem composed by Christine on her century-old typewriter. Your purchase helps sustain our efforts. You can also make a gift directly via PayPal.
Thank you and happy holidays from Poetry in the Brew!
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, December 19. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Visit our Facebook page for a video of the Dec. 12 Poetry in the Brew, featuring Gary Huskisson, with tributes to Navita Gunter. Our love and prayers for Navita in the hospital as we wish her a smooth recovery to full health.
Today’s Brew: three bonus poem offerings from the Queen of Nashville Poetry Navita Gunter! Join us Saturday for feature performances from Navita and Gary Huskisson, along with two rounds of Snap Poetry on the open mic.
GETTING OLD IS HELL!
Listen up young people and listen well! While the Golden years of aging has its perks It can also be HELL! Like when you began to have aches and pains that you never Felt before! And you have to think TWICE because of your back and knees Before bending down to try and pick up something off The floor! Or when your eyes began to play tricks on you! And you start to not see as far or near as you used too! And your mind makes finding things more challenging like an endless game of clue! When you wake up from a really HARD night’s sleep and you find That you seemed to have been beaten and bruised all black and blue! Like someone had taken a stick and gone to town on you! When you start to develop an intimate and ongoing relationships With doctor’s that in your YOUTH you never knew existed! Now, you have them on your phone’s speed dial like your closest family and friends so you can immediately get drug and hospital care assistance!
Yes, children getting old can be HELL! That is true, But, the alternative to NOT! Getting old! Well, I think that I will pass on that for now wouldn’t YOU!?
I Am A Dialysis Warrior!
Listen everyone and please don’t Misunderstand the words that I am about To say. For I realize that Dialysis saves a lot people lives each And every day. But still in my mind some days I just have To say. How much I HATE dialysis and can’t always help Feeling this way! From the moment you walk through the Stark white doors. And your anxious eyes see all the machines Waiting for you on that hard-cold floor. You Can’t help but feel a jolt in your Stomach and start to feel a little blue. But cheer up for you are not alone and There are others that are going through
This ordeal too. So, just tell yourself that this is really no Big deal as the machine starts to click And swirl Just remember that there are worse things You could go through in this world! And yes, there will be cramps as well as other Pain that comes along the way. But your attentive nurse is there to help you and To make them go away! Just keep your hope up and remember that you are a dialysis Warrior and that this too, will NOT Defeat you! Given all the other struggles in your life you Have had to go through! For you are not alone on this next Journey of your life For you are a warrior!
And you will Allways win Your fights!
WILL YOU STILL WANT ME?
When the lights come on And the make-up comes off WILL YOU STILL WANT ME?! When my weave turns into a shag And my natural hair starts to recede WILL YOU STILL WANT ME?! When you discover that my feet are large STINK! And I have hammer toes WILL YOU STILL WANT ME?! When the wrinkles start to show And my steps grow slower WILL YOU STILL WANT ME?! When my HEALTH is less than perfect And I grow tired much faster than I used to WILL YOU STILL WANT ME?! Something just HIT the door running OHH OHH AND RUNNING! AND RUNNING! And he told me that he had a broken ankle! I guess I have my answer
Reading from 6-8 PM CST on Sat. Dec. 12. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo Collins for running the zoom.
GARY HUSKISSON: STORYTELLER, HOST, ACTIVIST, EVENT ORGANISER, FRIEND TO THE UNDERDOG & POET: A PURVEYOR OF THE UNSPOKEN WORD. LOVER OF APPLE CRUMBLE.
Stories and Poetry are everlasting gifts for the heart and soul, to be shared and given nutrition to grow. Gary Huskisson was born and bred in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire (The Fens), his seed sown in St Vincent, West Indies. A poet, a storyteller, a son, a brother and a father, once upon a time a social worker, a radio DJ, an athlete, a coach, even a wedding planner. A misspent youth as a Jazz Dancer, filled with passion for family, apple crumble and the mighty blue army Chelsea.
Gary utilises his Art therapy, Play therapy, and Drama therapy as a way of making inroads into the cyclic nature of anti-social behaviour, thus making positive change for individuals and their communities. The work of Augusto Boal / mask theatre has remained an influence in his writing and performing as vehicle to initiate change.
His Christian beliefs deepen his thirst to writing, performing and sharing. Proverbs 18:21—”Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it.” For death or life. He strongly believes if you see something that is not right, see what you can do to make it right. As a social worker he became frustrated of the attitude, “It is all always been that way.”
One of his personal objectives is to create places for artists to perform, bring people together, provide opportunities for new poets to perform and share with his city the amazing talent he witnesses. Gary likes to specialise in Jazz Poetry, which fuses his love for Jazz and poetry. He has a thirst for learning from all poets which he describes as Sponging.
In his role of secretary of Peterborough Racial Equality Council and as a Spoken word artist, as well as organising Spoken Word community events, he is now getting artists together from all over the globe to show the power of word in addressing racism in project called SAY IT LOUDER. Here it’s demonstrated the power of spoken word, that it can be a vehicle to change. It has already enabled positive change to take place and initiate positive change. He is currently completing his first book, How to Survive a Sheartk Attack, which is the story of his year in verse, after suffering an heart attack and suffering from depression.
Typically, Gary’s writing evokes emotion with a joyful irony, and to be shared by everyone.!! Gary Huskisson THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL
I witness Jesus tears last night. Tears for all his creation Tears for His beautiful World Tears for a World that has loss its way. Tears for love and compassion that seemed to have left the Planet Tears for Mankind being inhuman to Mankind. Tears for children in cages. Tears for innocence forever LOST
“Hello my name is Navita and I am a 20+ year cervical cancer survivor. I founded the first ever Tennessee cervical cancer coalition along with some amazing women such as Dr. Elizabeth Williams—then director of community outreach at the TSU Avon William’s campus in Nashville—and Dr. Dineo Khabele, head OBGYN at Meharry Medical college. I participated in several cervical cancer events where they would bring me in to speak on how you can survive this illness, as a lot of women of color did not. I received several awards, the most recent one being outstanding community leader from MTSU awards luncheon back in 2017.
I am also a poet and published author with my book called The Day My Vagina Tried to Kill Me, which concerned my journey with surviving cervical cancer. I have been in numerous newspapers such as The Nashville Scene, The Banner, and the Pride. I have gone on several radio stations such as 92Q, Fisk Radio, and WVOL. I also was asked by the Lance Armstrong people to add my voice to their cancer project and I helped the State of Tennessee health department plan and implement a statewide poster program on cervical cancer. I also had my own radio show as well as a community access TV program called V.I.T.A. Some of my shows can still be seen on YouTube.”
Navita will open the reading with a feature set of her poetry this Sat. Dec. 12. She is the Queen of Nashville Poetry and not to be missed! Tomorrow, we spotlight feature Gary Huskisson hailing from Peterborough, UK.
Do you look forward to Saturday? Do you long for something to carry through your week? Would you like a poem written just for you?
Did you know we have a Brew Mug and Custom Snap Poem deal going on this month? We only ordered 72 of these hefty 16 oz. beauties and when they’re gone, they’re gone!
$15 +shipping or use discount code LOCALPICKUP for contact-free pickup in the Nashville area.
Do you know someone who’d like a poem written for them? Poetry in the Brew host Christine is composing custom poems on her century-old typewriter this month. Order a Brew Mug and get a bonus Snap Poem on the theme of your choosing. $15 +shipping or use discount code LOCALPICKUP for contact-free pickup in the Nashville area.
We have a special format on the 2nd Saturday of each month: 2 feature performances and 2 rounds of open mic Snap Poetry. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. We’ll enjoy a feature set from Navita Gunter, then an open mic Snap round, a feature by Gary Huskisson, and a 2nd round of Snap Poems. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, December 12. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Until then, watch a video of our Dec. 5 Poetry in the Brew. Tomorrow we’ll introduce you to Navita Gunter, and on Tuesday we’ll spotlight Gary Huskisson. Wishing you a steady flow of poetry through the week.
Grab our brand new Brew Mug in this limited edition super-exclusive special offer that includes a custom Snap Poem* on the theme of your choice!
If you buy a mug in December, you’ll help keep the Brew flowing into the new year AND receive a personal Snap Poem fresh off host Christine’s century-old typewriter!
Cozy up with some poetry and a mug of your favorite brew, knowing your support of the arts not only earns our everlasting appreciation, but fortifies the Brew into the future.
Brew 16 oz. of your desired libation (coffee, tea, something stiffer) and some new memories with the Brew Crew. Post a pic and tag us!
*Snap Poems are a tradition started at the Brew—a poem that can be read in under a minute
If you are in the Nashville area, use LOCALPICKUP code to arrange a covid-safe pickup and get a shipping credit.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, December 5. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Visit our Facebook page for a video of the Nov. 28 Poetry in the Brew.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
We’re fixing to celebrate our 10th Anniversary at Poetry in the Brew in 2021! We have exciting projects in the works as we grow, including special events, and tangible offerings to hold you through the week as we look forward to our Saturdays. One of these items (ready in time for the holidays) is a keepsake mug featuring our new logo that we unveil today:
We’ll be opening orders soon, so watch for info on getting one for yourself and any poetry enthusiast friends. Enjoy sipping on the brew of your choice at your leisure, knowing you helped support our future ventures!
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, November 28. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM CST with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, November 21. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Here’s a video of our Nov. 14 Snap Edition featuring Caroline Minter and Carl Lowe:
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading: 2nd Saturday Special Edition
This week is our first time out with a new format for the 2nd Saturday of each month. For these special editions of the Brew, we welcome two feature performances, along with a Snap Poetry open mic (plan for 3 rounds). Carl Lowe and Caroline Minter are the feature poets for November.
Carl Lowe’s show biz career started with an appearance in the Peanut Gallery on the Howdy Doody Show. Since then he has performed with the Yale Dramat, the Yale Symphony, the Whole Backstage in Guntersville, AL, and the Skits and Bits Comedy Troupe in Nashville. He also plays fiddle and guitar, has published about 20 books (all non-fiction) and shares his living space with two rambunctious dogs. As for his poetry, he last published a poem decades ago but has recently begun resurrecting and renovating the part of his brain focused on verse. The project is ongoing.
Basement Tape by Carl Lowe
For a moment, playing the melody in Peter’s basement, on that electric guitar, Peter banging away on the drums, the bass reverberating in the walls crazy old Steve chording on the keyboard. I had my fingers twisted around a reptile who raised her head, looked around and fed off the energies in the air. She looked around the room with suspicion in her eyes, dissatisfied glances tinged with a knowing confidence that she was ready for kaleidoscopic change.
For a moment, the melody stayed in my hand on the neck of the instrument pressing against the prison of my fingers spreading open its confinement to escape not stopping to realize that escape was an exit into the nothingness of memory.
But for a moment, those notes froze into an unmoving point in that house in that year, in my life.
Later, upstairs I heard a noise outside, looked through the window, saw my car being stolen. Ran down the block, wearing no shoes after it. My wife called me back. And she was right. It was a neighborhood of discordant melodies. Dead animals in the park across the street sacrificed to Gods I couldn’t identify. Somebody beaten to death around the corner with a club. The grocer with the best vegetables run out of town because of his accent and his skin color. I called the police. How do you know your car was stolen? Asked the phone voice. Because right now I can see it being driven away.
But in that town, back in the day, everyone was on the take. Even the Gods in the park needed sacrifices to be on your side.
By the time two bored policemen showed up an hour later the music was over. Later I remembered the bag of laundry in the car’s trunk. For months, every once in a while I would wonder where a certain shirt, pair of pants, pair of socks had gone. And I’d remember that melody.
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM CST. Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM CST.
**NEW 2ND SATURDAY FORMAT** This week is our first time out with a new format for the 2nd Saturday of each month. For these special editions of the Brew, we welcome two feature performances, along with a Snap Poetry open mic (plan for 3 rounds).
Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. We’ll do an open mic Snap round, enjoy a feature set from Caroline Minter, another Snap round followed by a feature by Carl Lowe, and conclude with a third round of Snap Poems. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM CST on Saturday, November 14. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Caroline Minter is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and is a voracious reader, a natural poet, proud wife and mother of three. She has spent the last 30 years as an educator, encouraging children to dream big, building their confidence in themselves and cultivating a belief that anything is possible. As a biblical scholar she has found writing inspiration in the prose of the bible and in the lives she touches with her ministry. As a historian with an advanced degree in history and education, she leverages her knowledge of the past to provide context to the synergies and dichotomies of current events.
She believes that poetry brings people together and speaks to the soul. From Poe to Angelou she has been a student of powerful poetry. Education, History and Christianity collided and have anchored her own poetry journey. To fuel her poetry she believes in the power of quiet meditation. It is something she takes time out to do everyday as it helps give her mental clarity and focus, as she contemplates and integrates found, sound and free verse with the dynamic, complex world around us. In case you are not convinced of the depth of her passion, two of her children are named after famous poets.
She has done workshops with the Chicago Poetry Foundation, enjoys doing open mics and is currently working on publishing her first book of poetry entitled Words of My Mouth.
Poetry in the Brew’s first feature poet this November is Caroline Minter.
Well Women by Caroline Minter
In the stairwell of life she’s climbing despite she’s doing well can’t you tell
she runs everything like a well-oiled machine she keeps it clean if you know what I mean if you want things to be done well run it by one of our Gazelles
she means well even when she has to yell especially when something doesn’t sit well her memory serves her very well she’s quick to wish you well!!!!!!!!!
don’t get it twisted because she doesn’t hide when things well up on the inside some days she’s well aware of what’s at stake so she watches her words before they fly out the gate
she is well-versed can answer any question it’s not rehearsed
she is well preserved especially when people are getting on her last nerve she handles the STARES well with God she knows she can never fail
she’s well-rounded and well-known speaks with authority like a queen on her throne you must know when to leave well enough alone She means business she’s grown
She speaks to the welfare of the people in her city lives cut short what a pity she knows all too well discrimination made a city swell especially those that don’t end well
Well Women They keep things fresh they don’t like a whole lotta mess they work on their weaknesses and are warrior too warm hearted and well-dressed just to name a few
well received and well-groomed commands respect when they enter ANY ROOM
They’re welcoming and full wonder well thought of like summer
They witness and they worship they wrestle with the word giving it to you daily just like its HEARD
they are wives they have LIVES!!!!!
She’s well-equipped she looks well she lives well she sleeps well she DOING WELL
How !!!!! Can’t you tell ??
Well !!!!!!! when her well runs dry She lifts her hands to the sky then bares her soul from deep inside where her savior resides
for to indwell is the EXHALE To indwell helps her to propel to indwell helps her to excel to indwell helps reassure her that all is well
And when the storms of life are raging, and she begins aging she knows all to well he’s a billow, her comforter and pillow And under his WINGS she can do ANYTHING
so she keeps fighting and she’ll know when she’s WON for she’ll hear her father say WELL DONE !!! Go ahead you must admit she’ll be WELL worth it.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
If there is enough time after the first round, we will invoke a Snap Round. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Saturday, November 7. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Here’s the video of our Oct. 31 Poetry in the Boo! open mic:
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Happy Halloween! Pull those skeletons out of your closets, dig up the bodies in the backyard, gather your ghosts, brandish those broomsticks and polish up your linguistic tricks, it’s Poetry in the Boo! Be it spooky or campy or solemn, supernatural or the mundane macabre, bring us your Ravens, Jabberwockies, and Nightmares come to life through poetic craft. You are also welcome to treat us to poetry that is decidedly not on theme. Costumes are optional and encouraged.
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
If there is enough time after the first round, we will invoke a Snap Round. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 31. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87626762054 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
Here’s a video of the Oct. 24 open mic, with poets performing from Australia, Canada, the UK, and across the States.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
If there is enough time after the first round, we will invoke a Snap Round. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
If there is enough time after the first round, we will invoke a Snap Round. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem.
Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Saturday, October 17. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8590744728 Thanks to our esteemed benefactor Jo for running the zoom.
This past Saturday we welcomed 37 readers on the mic—morning, evening, and midnight poets alike. As our community grows, we embrace this opportunity to connect with new and returning visitors. We love to hear from everyone who wants a turn on the mic. While we may not have time for a Snap Round at the end of every night, we’re planning a special show on the 2nd Saturday of each month starting in November. Nov. 14, we’ll dedicate our open mic session to Snap Poetry, in addition to inviting two poets to perform feature sets.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. Each poet has 4 minutes to share their words. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone gets a turn.
If there is enough time after the first round, we will invoke a Snap Round. Snap Poems are under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem.
Also check out this online open mic hosted by They Call Me Mitch, based in San Francisco. Show up to sign up on Friday, October 9, from 9pm till midnight CT (7-10pm PT). Click here to access the zoom and catch PitB host Christine Hall performing a feature set.
On Saturday afternoon, we’re hosting a watch party for Say It Louder: Time for Change on our Facebook page. Tune into the livestream 3-5:30 pm CT on October 10. An international poetry event, Say It Louder includes a panel discussion about Black Lives Matter and what an ideal community would look like, followed by an open mic.
Thanks to Kayla Bruyn for managing the PitB zoom. Visit Kayla’s Patreon or Venmo @AdorableDork in appreciation of her work.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We share our poems in rounds. First round, each poet gets 4 minutes. Second and any subsequent rounds are Snap Poems under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. We cannot wait to hear your words!
Special thanks to Jo Collins for filling in as zoom moderator this past Saturday and next as Kayla Sue Bruyn is away on creative pursuits. Wishing all an energizing and artistically engaging week. See you Saturday!
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We share our poems in rounds. First round, each poet gets 4 minutes. Second and any subsequent rounds are Snap Poems under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. We cannot wait to hear your words!
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We share our poems in rounds. First round, each poet gets 4 minutes. Second and any subsequent rounds are Snap Poems under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. We cannot wait to hear your words!
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We share our poems in rounds. First round, each poet gets 4 minutes. Second and any subsequent rounds are Snap Poems under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. We cannot wait to hear your words!
We had a rousing and rollicking night of poetry this past Saturday, with many astounding new voices, and stellar offerings from poets who delight us with their return visits. The reading streamed live on our Facebook page and is available to watch at your leisure.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We share our poems in rounds. First round, each poet gets 4 minutes. Second and any subsequent rounds are Snap Poems under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. We cannot wait to hear your words!
Thanks to Kayla Bruyn for managing the zoom. Visit Kayla’s Patreon or Venmo @AdorableDork in appreciation of her work.
Another round of enthusiastic thanks to the poets who joined us for Isolation: An Online Poetry Event last Saturday, and all who connected to share in this moving experience. The video is available for viewing anytime on our Facebook page.
Poetry in the Brew presents Isolation: An Online Poetry Event, streaming live on Facebook 6-8 PM CDT August 29. Our aim is to raise awareness for the prevalence of mental unrest and suicide in the wake of Covid-19.
Poet Kayla Bruyn has conceived and curated this reading to inspire and unite us in the call for a better tomorrow. We feel as artists it is our duty to shed light on difficult topics and provide inspiration to push through these trying times. We hope we can help equip people to keep pushing for a better tomorrow by pairing art with a toolkit.
Lifelong artist and creative beacon Huxley King, who recently embarked on a path putting her talents to therapeutic use in the mental healthcare field, will emcee our event. She will share some helpful practices we can all employ. Poets will perform from around the world—the US, UK, Australia, and Pakistan—with featured readings by: Meg Smith Scott Coe Finlay Hall Fizza Abbas Kenny Rae Gregory Lannom Carolyn Connolly Gregory Slade Henry L Jones Donna Whitney Caroline Burrows Noel Marie Blackmire Dane Ince Ross Donlon Franchesa Kirkpatrick Joanna Collins Christine Hall Jonah Eller-Isaacs Kayla Sue Bruyn
We invite you to tune in this Saturday! Regular poetry readings will resume September 5, and all poets who wish to connect are welcome to sign up for our weekly open mic.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We share our poems in rounds. First round, each poet gets 4 minutes. Second and any subsequent rounds are Snap Poems under 1 minute each. Any short format works for Snap Poetry, including an excerpt of a longer poem. Practice reading or reciting before the show to check the length of your material. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. We cannot wait to hear your words!
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We take turns sharing 1 poem each (under 4 min.) per round, and usually go 2 rounds.
If your poem is longer than 4 minutes, split it to share between 2 rounds. We can make exceptions for special situations: if your poem is a little over 4 minutes and you only want to read in 1 round, let us know. Or, if you have 2 very short poems to share in a single round, that can work. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. A Snap Poetry round may be invoked as need or desire manifests.
If you’ve been feeling the isolation, the need for reprieve, the yearning to connect and share poetry, please consider being part of our Isolation livestream reading August 29. Submissions are due by August 14, Friday of this week.
Thanks to Kayla Bruyn, who manages our zoom and had the beautiful inspiration to dedicate the August 29th reading to mental health. Making art and gathering in support of one another’s expressions is helpful for many of us, as is expanding our understanding of different perspectives, experiences, and practices.
Thanks to all our entrants for a rousing round of tomato poetry this year! Congrats to the winning poets for producing an especially luscious crop! Happy Tomato Fest, everybody!
HEIRLOOMS:
1. Scott Coe (Untitled)
Sun ripe tomatoes A warm yellow star mother Gives birth to red dwarfs
2. Franchesa Kirkpatrick 🍅 Blood Count 🍅
Pick a tomato Count the seeds and save them now Lick the juice it bleeds
3. Judy Takats “Irreplaceable”
I am free to be fruit, umami, berry, green irreplaceable
Honorable Mention: Željko Vojković “Taste of island Vis”
salted sardine cake with tomato and onion taste of island Vis
FUNNIES:
1. Roslyn Mize “Bloody Bloody Mary”
One tomato ran Two tomatoes tried to hide Three tomatoes died
2. Heather Liddington “Southern Lady”
A tasteful red dress, Jaunty green hat perched on top Eat me with respect.
3. Zach Blair and Kat Brick “The Attitude”
Don’t mind those carrots. Embrace your curvy red ass. Perfectly juicy.
Honorable Mention: Nick Bush “SCIENCE OF CONDIMENTS”
Just 12 chromosomes of solanaceous species, seeds lovely ketchup
ODDITIES:
1. Nick Bush “A LITIGIOUS LIMMERICK”
There once was a fruit named tomato, the culinary gift to chefs of th’world. In the 1890s, the Supreme Court said, “Sorry, although you’re a flower you’re a vegetable.”
2. Joanna E. Collins “Pop My Cherry Tomato”
I used to think about life in terms of firsts The popping of my cherry tomato, filling my cheek with sweet juices and pulp My first pizza-flavored kiss and the sun-dried aftertaste
But lately I’ve been chewing on the last time
The last time I touched the firm skin of a beefsteak The last time I hurled rotten guts at your head as you walked out the door Wondering if that really could have been The Last Time
I waited all year for the treasures of your hot house Only to be told they are now forbidden fruits I’ll have to pluck from my own vines Heirlooms that have softened since last year Because tomatoes, too, know the passage of time
If I had grasped that the last time would be our Last Time I would have swallowed your tomatoes whole.
3. Michele Parker Randall “If House”
I wish I had the balls to dust with a leaf-blower; when something breaks,
no struggle to pitch it. If not a leaf-blower, then a firehose—dishes done,
mopping and laundry, too. If not a firehose, twin tornadoes. Redistribution
of assets, fluffed towels, and Juliette tomatoes left for seed scattered to grow
wild. Fire seems farfetched. And if it were to happen now, who would believe it chance.
GREENHOUSE:
1. Selah Dowell, age 10 “TOMATOES, YEAH!”
Avocados, blah Peas and corn sound a lot worse Tomato stuff, yeah!
UNITER (NEW CATEGORY) Awarded to a single poet for a winning mini-collection:
Megan Roggendorff
“Brave”
Tornado wreckage Can’t stop tomato blossoms. Fear will not prevail.
“A Gift”
For from the terror Of tempests, the Earth offers A gift: love apples.
“Endure”
Last year a virus Tried to kill my tomatoes. I defeated it.
“Arise”
Arise, tomatoes! Reach your vines through the hard earth And find your sunshine.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
This past week, 24 poets joined us from zones near and far, as Joanna Collins filled in for tech wiz Kayla Bruyn, who popped in to open the show from the road. For our 2nd round, we debuted Snap Poetry, wherein each shared a poem under 1 minute. An exhilarating time, the Snap Poems ranged from freestyle to haiku to cherry-picked snippets, eliciting such exuberant response we did a 3rd round. We’re dreaming up ideas for anthologies here at the Brew, and welcome input.
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We take turns sharing 1 poem each (under 4 min.) per round, and usually go 2 rounds.
If your poem is longer than 4 minutes, split it to share between 2 rounds. We can make exceptions for special situations: if your poem is a little over 4 minutes and you only want to read in 1 round, let us know. Or, if you have 2 very short poems to share in a single round, that can work. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn. A Snap Poetry round may be invoked as need or desire manifests.
Poetry in the Brew presents Isolation: An Online Poetry Event on August 29. Our aim is to raise awareness for the prevalence of mental unrest and suicide in the wake of covid-19.
We are looking for poems that inspire and unite us in the call for a better tomorrow. All poets are invited to submit, and those selected will read their poetry during the zoom session, streaming live on Facebook 6-8 PM central August 29.
We feel as artists it is our duty to shed light on difficult topics and provide inspiration to push through these trying times. We hope we can help equip people to keep pushing for a better tomorrow by pairing art with a toolkit.
Lifelong artist and creative beacon Huxley King, who recently embarked on a path putting her talents to therapeutic use in the mental healthcare field, will emcee our event. She will share some helpful practices we can all employ.
The deadline for submissions is August 14. Please send up to 4 poems in 1 email to poetryinthebrew@gmail.com. Include your stage name and pronouns as well as contact info. Thank you!
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We take turns sharing 1 poem each (under 4 min.) per round, and usually go 2 rounds.
If your poem is longer than 4 minutes, split it to share between 2 rounds. We can make exceptions for special situations: if your poem is a little over 4 minutes and you only want to read in 1 round, let us know. Or, if you have 2 very short poems to share in a single round, that can work. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn.
Our poetry group is a little different each week, with themes naturally emerging, and ever encouraging. Our appreciation for the poets who share their unique voices and perspectives, joining us from Tennessee, Maine, Texas, Scotland, Toronto, Ohio, England, California, and beyond. Thanks always to Kayla Bruyn for managing the zoom for us. Visit Kayla’s Patreon or Venmo @AdorableDork to show your gratitude.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We take turns sharing 1 poem each (under 4 min.) per round, and usually go 2 rounds.
If your poem is longer than 4 minutes, split it to share between 2 rounds. We can make exceptions for special situations: if your poem is a little over 4 minutes and you only want to read in 1 round, let us know. Or, if you have 2 very short poems to share in a single round, that can work. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn.
Super thankful for the magnificent poets who gather each week, both returning voices and new ones, sharing viewpoints from so many places. Thanks always to Kayla Bruyn for managing the zoom for us. Visit Kayla’s Patreon or Venmo @AdorableDork to show your appreciation.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We take turns sharing 1 poem each (under 4 min.) per round, and usually go 2 rounds.
If your poem is longer than 4 minutes, split it to share between 2 rounds. We can make exceptions for special situations: if your poem is a little over 4 minutes and you only want to read in 1 round, let us know. Or, if you have 2 very short poems to share in a single round, that can work. Please be respectful of time so everyone has a turn.
Tomato season approaches and the Tomato Art Fest Haiku Contest is open once again! Send us your tomato-inspired poems this month and winners will be announced online August 8.
HAIKU: an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively.
Submit tomato-related haiku in classic 5-7-5 style.
Winners will be announced on Tomato Art Fest social platforms and app Saturday, August 8th. Prizes awarded for 1st place in each category:
Heirlooms (adults, ages 17 & up)
Greenhouse (youth, ages 16 & under)
Funnies (humor)
Oddities (limerick, sonnet, freeform, anything under 200 words)
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Welcome to your weekly poetry infusion with the Brew. This past Saturday, readers joined from England, Ireland, Canada, and round the US, including Maine, New York, California, Ohio, Arizona, and Tennessee. It is a massive joy to hear poems from so many perspectives while we grow our understanding of one another, our world, and poetry itself. We’ll open the zoom session at 5:45pm on Saturdays to allow everyone to arrive and say hello before the reading begins at 6pm.
Sign up to read on the open mic. The zoom session begins at 5:45 PM with 15 minutes of free chat. Reading starts at 6:00 PM. We take turns sharing 1 poem (up to 5 min.) each round until about 8:00 PM. You’re welcome to share in as many rounds as you wish or just listen.Reading from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 11. Join us on zoom (session opens at 5:45 PM): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88558387279
Thanks to Kayla Bruyn for managing the zoom. Visit Kayla’s Patreon or tip her on Venmo @AdorableDork to show your appreciation.
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic Poetry Reading Saturdays at 6 PM Central on Zoom
Sign up to read on the open mic. We open with 15 minutes of free chat, then take turns sharing 1 poem (up to 5 min.) each round until about 7:30 PM. You’re welcome to share in as many rounds as you wish or just listen.Reading from 6:00 – 7:30 PM on Saturday, July 4.Join us on zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88558387279
Thanks to Kayla Bruyn for managing the zoom. Visit Kayla’s Patreon or tip her on Venmo @AdorableDork to show your appreciation.
