Spring is here, and so are exciting opportunities to engage with the world of poetry at KSPS!
We’re thrilled about our three upcoming free craft talks, which are exclusively for our members. These workshops will dive deep into unique aspects of poetry writing, offering both a creative space and practical insights to help you hone your craft.
Craft Your Words: A Multi-Modal Approach to Poetry Writing
Hosted by Lucy Oquaye
In this dynamic workshop, we’ll explore how poems can be like marionettes or musical chords—seamlessly weaving together voices and moments that might seem unconnected at first glance. Through tactile exercises like collages, blackout poems, and zines, we’ll use materials like old magazines, paper, glue, and markers to create poetry that embraces absence and negation. The goal? To craft poems that are unexpected, real, and rich in meaning. Absence isn’t just a void—it’s a tool for creation. Dates to be announced!
String Theory: An Exploration of Poetry that Employs Multiple Threads
Hosted by Clay Matthews
Poetry often contains hidden strings—threads that connect disparate voices, ideas, and moments. In this workshop, we’ll unpack how some poems create seamless connections between seemingly unrelated elements, like marionettes and musical chords, or tapestries and trapezes. With examples and discussions, we’ll explore how these connections work and then apply the concept by creating poems using provided prompts and “strings.” This is your chance to weave your own creative threads into a poem that resonates. Dates to be announced!
One of These Things Is/Isn’t True: Negation in Poetry
Hosted by Trish Jaggers
“There is no glass in the bathwater.”
Absence—what’s not said—can be just as powerful as what is. In this workshop, we’ll examine how poets use negation—juxtaposition, rejection, and even lies—to add depth, ambiguity, and richness to their poems. We’ll explore poems that “tell all the truth but tell it slant” and then create our own works from what is left unsaid. Expect a session where we intentionally leave gaps, and from those gaps, create something unexpected and real. Dates to be announced!
Virtual Open Mic: April 15
We’re also excited to host our April 15 Virtual Open Mic, a fantastic opportunity for KSPS members to share their poetry with fellow creatives. This event will be hosted via Google Forms registration, a new system we’re using to streamline sign-ups. Here’s how it works:
- Registration Process: When you register, you’ll select whether you’re a reader or an audience member. If you select “reader,” you’ll be asked to provide your name and email address. If you’re attending as an audience member, you’ll also provide your details to complete the registration.
- Limited Reading Slots: In our hour-long open mic, we only have time for a 15 readers. These slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to sign up early!
- Reminder: Reading slots are exclusive to KSPS members. If you’re not a member yet, this is a great time to join and participate in this event.
The virtual open mic is a wonderful way to share your voice, hear from others, and engage with the vibrant KSPS community. Mark your calendar for April 15, and don’t forget to register as soon as the sign-up forms are live!
In-Person Open Mic: April 28 at Loudon House
If you’re looking for a more personal connection, we’re still hosting our in-person open mic at Loudon House on April 28 from 6-8 PM. This is a wonderful chance to connect face-to-face with fellow poets and share your work in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re reading or simply enjoying the performance of others, it’s sure to be a memorable evening. We hope to see you there!
Stay tuned for more details on the craft talk dates, and be sure to mark your calendars for both the virtual open mic on April 15 and the in-person open mic at Loudon House on April 28. We can’t wait to see you there—whether you’re reading, listening, or both!
Kentucky Voices Poetry Reading with Tom C. Hunley: March 18, 8 PM (Zoom)
Don’t miss our upcoming Kentucky Voices Poetry Reading with Tom C. Hunley on March 18 at 8 PM on Zoom. Registration is still open, and we’d love for you to join us for this exciting event! Tom C. Hunley will be sharing his poetry and engaging in a discussion about his work. Be sure to register now to reserve your spot and be part of this enriching experience!
Kentucky State Poetry Society 