Poetry Before Dinner

Marianne Moore defined poetry as “imaginary gardens with real toads in them.” Toads come in different shapes and sizes when members of this interest group gather to each read. Readers choose their own poets and subjects for their 3 to 5 minute turn in the reading circle.

Readings might range from famous limericks to time-honored poems by Walt Whitman to, of course, Shakespeare. Some of the Bard's most memorable lines have been read as have selections from multi-award-winning Maya Angelou, former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver, and other contemporary poets from the US and other parts of the world. As well, powerful prose like that of William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Cormac McCarthy, Virginia Woolf and other stellar novelists is often read.

In addition to readers, there are regular listeners, people who prefer not to read, but who gather to enjoy the readings. These listeners, too, are an integral part of the Poetry before Dinner experience.

After the reading session ends, the group often moves to the Oak Hammock lounge where the Spirit of Poetry sparkles in conversation that carries us to dinner on the sounds of fellowship and good cheer.

So come enjoy the literature of the world. All Oak Hammock members are invited. You will give both sides of your brain a healthy workout. You may smile, laugh, or chuckle. And if moved deeply, you will know passion is the heart of great poetry as in any art.

Gatherings: 4-5 pm; Acorn Room; Second Tuesday of the Month.
No sign-up. Just come. Bring a 2-3 minute selection – poem(s) or prose by someone famous to read. Or just come to listen.

Note: This is not a creative writing group; most of us are not writers; we do not share our own writings. We celebrate and enjoy the words we love to read.