Tag: poet

Looking back on Labor Day, we’re thinking about the work behind the work—the effort it takes to write, revise, and return to the page again and again. Poetry, after all, is labor. Not the kind that comes with timecards and breaks, but the kind that demands heart, attention, and resilience.

At Kentucky State Poetry Society, we believe that poetic labor is worth honoring. Whether you’re squeezing in a stanza before bed or wrestling with a manuscript draft, your work matters. It matters to readers, to your community, and to you.

So this week, we invite you to reflect on what brings you back to the page. Is it a sense of wonder? A need for truth? The joy of shaping sound and image?

Here’s to the labor of poetry. The quiet kind. The bold kind. The kind that helps us make sense of the world—and ourselves.

Upcoming Craft Talk with Clay Matthews on September 16

What do marionettes and musical chords, tapestries and trapezes have in common with poetry?

Join poet and professor Clay Matthews for String Theory: An Exploration of Poetry that Employs Multiple Threads—a craft talk dedicated to unraveling the secret scaffolding that holds our poems together.

🗓️ Tuesday, September 16
🕖 7:00 PM (ET)
📍 Live via Zoom (Free with registration)

In this generative workshop, Matthews invites poets to consider how dissonant images, voices, and themes can be braided into a single cohesive piece. What makes some poems feel seamless, even when they’re full of contrast and contradiction? How do you give the illusion of flow when the content is anything but linear?

We’ll read examples of multi-threaded poems, explore the craft choices that allow those poems to sing, and dive into prompts designed to help participants experiment with their own layered drafts. Expect lively discussion, a little risk, and a lot of surprise.

This session is part of our Kentucky Voices programming and is open to all experience levels. Whether you’re working on a sprawling epic or a tight lyric, this talk will offer strategies to balance complexity with clarity.

Registration is open now – don’t miss out!

Ready to start your membership with Kentucky State Poetry Society? Become a member today!

LexPoMo has wrapped, and if you took part in the 30-day writing marathon, you might be feeling a mix of pride, relief—and maybe a little uncertainty. Now what?

At Kentucky State Poetry Society, we believe that the end of writing is never the end of the poem. It’s an invitation. A doorway. A second look.

Whether you wrote 3 poems or 30 last month, July is the perfect time to step back and start revising. Revision isn’t about fixing something broken—it’s about listening closer, discovering layers you didn’t know were there, and shaping your words to say what they truly want to say.

A Few Questions to Begin:

• Where does the poem surprise even you?
  
• Which lines still feel electric weeks later?
  
• Which ones feel heavy—or hollow?
  
• What would happen if you changed the point of view? The tense? The line breaks?
  

Sometimes the poem you thought was finished is only just beginning.

Need a Reason to Revisit Your Work?

We’ve got two:

• Our Poetry Reading is July 15—a great chance to hear how another poet crafts meaning, tension, and emotion in their work—and maybe get ideas for your own revisions in the process.
  
• Our Adult Poetry Contest closes July 31. The poems that often rise to the top? The ones that have been thoughtfully revised, trimmed, expanded, and shaped with care.
  

Tip for the Week: Read Aloud

One of the simplest and most powerful revision tools? Your own voice.
Reading a poem aloud will catch clunky phrasing, weak images, and rhythm that doesn’t quite sing. It can also help you fall back in love with your own language.

So go ahead—step outside, find some shade, and give your poem a voice. You might just hear something new.

We’d love to see where your revision journey leads. Tag us @kystatepoetry —we might feature them in a future post. However you return to your work, know this: every poet rewrites. And every revision is an act of belief in your own voice.

Poetry is always in motion—and at KSPS, we’re proud to keep that momentum going. Whether you’ve been writing for decades or just picking up the pen, there’s always a new way to engage, connect, and grow with our community. From inspiring open mics to upcoming readings and events like LEX PO MO, now’s the perfect time to plug in, look back at what we’ve built, and look ahead to what’s next.

Celebrate Poetry with Julie Hensley – May 20 on Zoom

We’re thrilled to host Julie Hensley for a special KSPS reading on Monday, May 20 at 8 PM EST via Zoom. Julie is a poet and prose writer whose work weaves place, memory, and identity with lyrical precision. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of Kentucky’s own—this is a free event and open to all!

Save the date and register to attend here!

Lexington Poetry Month Is Almost Here!

It’s also Lexington Poetry Month (LexPoMo)—a local favorite where poets challenge themselves to write a poem each day throughout the month of June. It’s a fantastic way to build a writing habit, connect with other poets, and add your voice to Kentucky’s vibrant literary community.
Sign up and get ready to dive in: LexPoMo.com

Contests Are Open – Submit Your Work

Our KSPS student contests and two adult poetry contests are officially open! Whether you’re an emerging writer or a seasoned poet, this is your chance to share your work, get published, and win prizes. Don’t wait—submit your poems and encourage the poets in your life to do the same.
Details and deadlines can be found on our Contests Page.

Big Thanks to Our April Open Mic Readers

We recently hosted a fantastic in-person open mic at the Loudoun House in Lexington, and we’re still buzzing from the energy in that room. Huge thanks to all who attended and shared their work. It was a beautiful night of poetry and connection—and we’re already thinking about the next one. Stay tuned for future in-person events!

Ready to Celebrate Your Love of Poetry?

Treat yourself to a KSPS membership — because nothing says “I love poetry” like joining a community that lives and breathes it year-round.

Here’s what you’ll get:

Publication Opportunities
Submit to Pegasus, our annual journal, and share your voice with a statewide audience.

Exclusive Events
Enjoy bi-monthly open mics, Kentucky Voices readings, and three free craft talks between now and November.

Contests & Recognition
Enter member-only poetry contests and earn recognition for your work.

There’s never been a better time to celebrate the power of words, community, and creative expression here in Kentucky. From live readings to exciting contests, there are so many ways to connect and participate with the Kentucky State Poetry Society.

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Whether you’re writing daily, attending readings, or cheering on fellow poets, there’s a place for you in this growing, generous community. May is our moment—let’s make the most of it.

Big news, poets—Pegasus: Spring 2025 has officially landed! Whether you’re flipping through the pages for the first time or diving in with your favorite beverage and a highlighter, we’re excited to share this powerful new issue with you. With work that challenges, comforts, and inspires, this issue reflects the depth and diversity of Kentucky’s poetry community.

We’re especially proud of the poets featured in this issue—some names you’ll recognize, others you’ll be delighted to discover. Each piece offers something meaningful, and we can’t wait for you to experience it all.

Read Pegasus: Spring 2025 Now

You can now read the full issue of Pegasus online here. Whether you’re sipping coffee on your porch or reading between writing sessions, we know these poems will spark something in you. (We recommend bookmarking a few favorites to read again later!)

Loudoun House Open Mic – Next Monday!

Next up: join us Monday, April 21 at 6 PM EST for our in-person open mic at Lexington’s historic Loudoun House. This is more than just a reading—it’s a celebration of voice, presence, and connection. Whether you’re sharing your own work or cheering on others, we promise an evening full of warmth, creativity, and community. Come early, bring a poem (or two), and soak up the Lexington literary vibes.

Let’s Get Poetic: Ways to Get Reinspired This Week

Facing a bout of writer’s block head on? Here are some fun ways to dive deeper into your poetic practice this week:

• Poem Swap: Partner with a friend and swap lines or prompts—then each write a poem using the other’s words as inspiration.
• Write Outside: Take your journal to a park, a porch, or your favorite outdoor spot. Let the sounds, smells, and textures of spring guide your pen.
• Found Poem Challenge: Snap a photo of an interesting sign, menu, or street art. Then, use those words to create a found poem.
• Prompt of the Week: Write a poem that begins with the phrase “What I meant to say was…” and see where it takes you.
• Share Your Work: Post a snippet of your poem on Instagram and tag us @kystatepoetry —we might feature you!

What Else is Happening With KSPS?

If you haven’t heard, Pegasus isn’t the only exciting thing happening right now. Be sure to check out our ongoing poetry contests—two for adults and one for students—now open for submissions. You can find more details here.

We’re proud to continue creating space for Kentucky poets to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether you’re brand new to the world of poetry or a seasoned voice in the scene, KSPS is here to support your journey.

Until next time, keep writing—and we’ll see you at the mic.