Words Matter Visiting Poets Series

A Project of Maine Poetry Central and the Portland Poet Laureate Program

 

In February 2013, Presidential Inaugural poet, Richard Blanco read to a standing room only audience at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME.  The event was a watershed moment for the Maine poetry community.  To poets accustomed to readings held in coffeehouses, bars, and bookstores that might draw an audience of a dozen listeners, it was suddenly apparent that under the right circumstances, a huge and enthusiastic audience for poetry existed in Maine.  In response to that outpouring of enthusiasm and to build on that momentum, Maine Poetry Central is pleased to announce the creation of the Words Matter Visiting Poets Series.

 

Initiated by current and former Portland Poets Laureate, Marcia F. Brown (2013-2015) and Bruce Spang (2011-2013), the Words Matter Visiting Poets Series is a public literary arts program to bring nationally recognized poets to Portland, to read at a large-scale venue. Each visiting artist is hosted by a Maine poet or poets who will share the stage at the event, provide introductions and moderate an on-stage conversation with the artist following the reading. 

 

The goal of the “Words Matter” reading series is three-fold: a.) to raise the public profile and support for poetry in our State to the same level enjoyed by the music, visual, and performing arts communities; b.)to increase visibility and support for Maine poets; c) to emphasize the importance of civilized, thoughtful and respectful discourse – encourage mindfulness that “words matter” – can hurt or heal, whether spoken or written, especially by public figures in public forums.  Poets are natural ambassadors for this message, their craft being an ongoing quest to put “the best words in the best order.” 

 

Our first featured reader in the series, Tony Hoagland, read to a crowd of two-hundred at U.S.M.'s Hannaford Hall on April 16th, 2015.  Over the weekend Tony also workshopped with area teachers regarding how they might make poetry more appealing to students of all ages.  Maine Poetry Central hopes to build on the entusiasm for this event so that every year or two we can continue to bring to Maine nationally renowned poets who elevate the craft through their generous writing, teaching, and mentoring.

If you would like to know more about this series or to support future Words Matter events, please contact

Bruce Spang at bps@maine.rr.com