www.nfsps.com

Vol. XLVII No. 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                   April 2009

I define the latter group in more than one way. Here are some examples chosen from among several description variations. They may be people who might never write a single poem, who enjoy poetry due to a proper introduction to the art form, who give of their time, talents and money in support of poets and poetry organizations. They may be people who have never written poetry, who have the potential to become poets, who need advice and encouragement from the poetry community. They may even be people who are actually poets, who have entered and won poetry contests in the past and still compete and win at times, who are presently not writing new poems. Definitions blend in this instance. Poets can obviously be defined in a number of ways. Here are some more examples that I have chosen from among numerous description variations. They may be people who are writing poetry and entering it in competition, who attain recognition and publication of their work by that means. They may be people who write poetry and have no interest in competition, who like to read their work to others, who choose to self-publish their poems. They may be people who have entered and won poetry contests in the past, who are presently writing privately.

My state society, the Poetry Society of Texas, has a valued membership that is comprised of all the types of people mentioned, as well as those fitting other description variations, and I am sure that all member societies of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc. do, likewise. I feel that the founder of NFSPS, Mary B. Wall, would consider them all to be valued members of the organization of poets "dedicated to the writing and appreciation of poetry in America" that she envisioned, people who celebrate poetry.

Speaking of celebrating poetry, Mary B. Wall would be pleased that in June, the NFSPS Annual Convention will be held for the 50th time. With that event comes the announcement of the names of the Prize winners and those receiving Honorable Mentions in the NFSPS Annual Contests. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize winning poems are read by the poets, or Readers, following the six meals, food for the soul being served after food for the body. Announced, also, is the winner of the Stevens Poetry Manuscript Competition, as are the winners of the College/University Level Poetry Competition and the Manningham Poetry Trust Competition. A wealth of excellent poetry is provided throughout the Convention from these sources and by way of varied programs and workshops presented by accomplished and well-known poets. The Keynote Speaker’s address at the Sunday Dinner is always a special treat. There are poetry read-around sessions, too, furnishing opportunities for attendees to share their work with each other. Poetry can be brought home to savor after the event is over through purchases made in the Book Room.
An NFSPS Annual Convention is an experience that all types of people who appreciate poetry can enjoy, a true celebration of poetry! ~ Sincerely,

P.S. to Amy Jo Zook, 22nd President of NFSPS: Thank you and Sam, for showing me by your years of service how a poet and one who is not a practicing poet, who both appreciate poetry, can both be valued members of NFSPS.

A manuscript by Southern Connecticut State University professor Dana Sonnenschein has been selected as winner of the 2008 Stevens Poetry Book Manuscript Competition. Titled "Bear Country," the winning manuscript was selected from among 186 submissions from all over the United States and abroad. It will be published by the NFSPS Press this spring. The book will be available at the NFSPS Convention, where attendees will have an opportunity to hear Sonnenschein read from it.

In addition to the winner, the following six collections were designated for recognition as "manuscripts of merit": "ReSisters" by Davi Walders of Maryland, a member of the Poetry Society of Virginia; "The Invitation" by Teresa J. Scollon of Michigan; "Sleeping with a Geologist" by Jackie Bartley of Michigan; "The Yemen Gate" by Yahya Frederickson of Minnesota; "Richter 7.8" by Jim Tilley of New York; and "Salud, Salud" by Susanna Childress of Michigan.

Judge for the competition was Carolyne Wright of Seattle, author of eight books and chapbooks of poetry, most recently Change of Maps (Lost Horse Press, 2006) and Seasons of Mangoes and Brainfire (Eastern Washington U Press / Lynx House Books, 2005). Wright is also a translator of Spanish and Bengali poetry, her most recent volume of translations being Majestic Nights: Love Poems of Bengali Women (White Pine Press, 2008), and a writer of nonfiction, including The Road to Isla Negra, about her experience on a Fulbright in Chile during the presidency of Salvador Allende.

In commenting on Sonnenschein’s winning manuscript, Wright praises "its unity of focus." She elaborates, "In a variety of poetic styles …‘Bear Country’ explores and celebrates … the allure of Bear as a totemic figure in the human imagination … and the struggle of bears … to make lives for themselves in their increasingly human-compromised terrain." Wright expresses admiration for this poetry "directed toward a goal higher than self-display—to evoke the natural cycles of life and death in which human beings share a place with bears …."

Bear Country will be Sonnenschein’s second full-length book of poetry. It follows Natural Forms, which was published by Word Press in 2006. Her previous collections also include two chapbooks—Corvus (2003), which won Wind magazine’s Quentin R. Howard chapbook contest, and No Angels But These, which was published in 2005 as part of the Editor’s Choice chapbook series from Main Street Rag Press. Recently, poems of hers have appeared in a number of literary magazines, including Black Warrior Review, Camas, Isotope, The MacGuffin, Northwest Review, Seneca Review, and Quarter After Eight.

Sonnenschein holds a B.A. from the University of Iowa, an M.A. from The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. from Boston University. Since 1994, she has taught literature and writing at Southern Connecticut State University. She and her husband live, with their three cats, in Bethany, CT. Their yard, she says, "is visited regularly by deer, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, and a host of birds—but no bears."

STROPHES

Mary B. Wall, Founder
Officers elected at National Convention
June 21, 2008, Salt Lake City, UT

An advisory Board shall be comprised of Past Presidents Of the Federation, to take advantage of their expertise and experience…The president shall call on the Advisory Board for advice and guidance whenever The President deems it prudent. The Immediate Past President shall be the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee and shall be its representative on the Executive Board.

Susan S. Chambers 57310 166th Lane, Good Thunder, MN 56037 poetsue@aol.com

 State Society Presidents

Please notice deadlines. Email flies faster than snail mail and is easy for you to send me your reports that way. The 25th of the month is even a tight date because the information must be compiled, corrections made, taken to the printers and proofed, all before being packaged and sent out to you. It is a big job and I appreciate you all helping to make it run smoothly. Thanks for your understanding.

* Cecilia Parsons Miller * Jack Murphy
* Clinton Larson * Barbara Stevens
* Robert D. West * Henrietta Kroah
* Edna Meudt * Jerry Robbins
* Marvin Davis Winsett Pat Stodghill
* Max Golightly Wanda Blaisdell
* Hans Juergensen Ralph Hammond
* Russell Ferrall Amy Jo Zook
Jean Jenkins Susan S. Chambers
* Catherine Case Lubbe Clarence P. Socwell
Glenn Swetman Madelyn Eastlund
* Carl Morton Budd Powell Mahan
* Alice Briley Doris Stengel
* Wauneta Hackleman *denotes deceased

Program

6:30 pm EARLY BIRD dinner

For all convention attendees who may arrive ahead of the convention, join us for a Dutch treat restaurant adventure. Meet in main lobby at 6:00 PM Informal poetry readings; bring a poem to share.

Breakfasts at hotel are complimentary with room, served for 4 hours daily.

9:30 am – 6:00 pm Registration table opens
9:30 am – 4:00 pm Book room opens (set up only, no sales)
Eagle Harbor
10:00 am - 12:30 pm Optional Tour
12:30 pm Lunch on your own. Doris Stengel & Christina Flaugher, MC
1:00 – 3:30 pm NFSPS Inc Board Meeting Copper Harbor
1:30 – 4:30 pm Optional Tour
3:00 – 4:00 pm Book Room opens for sale of books
5:30 - 8:30 pm DULUTH HARBOR CRUISE, Dinner
9:30- 10:30 pm Northern Lights open poetry reading Copper Harbor

7:00 to 8:00 am Split Rock open poetry reading Breakfast
8:00 to 9:30 State President’s meeting
9:00 am to 5:30 pm Book Room Open
8:30 am to 5:00 pm Registration Open
9:00 to 10:30 Take a writing workshop walk on the boardwalk (for those less ambulatory, fire pit area overlooking Lake Superior
will also host a writing event )
10:30 to 10:45 Break
10:45 to 12:00 Plenary Session
12:15 to 2:00 pm Luncheon –poem by religious contest winner Manningham Winners
12:45 to 1:00 Break
1:00 to 2:00 NFSPS Inc Contest Awards
2:00 to 2:15 Break
2:15 to 4:00 Panel discussion by Michael Dennis Browne,
Anna George Meek, and Connie Wanek "THE POEM—is poetry a craft or something more?"
5:30 Hotel Cocktail hour
6:30 Dinner -poem by religious contest winner
7:30 College scholarship winners
8:00 to 8:15 Break (S’mores at the Fire pit overlooking the Lake)
8:15 to 9:45 NFSPS Inc Contest Awards
10:00 Blue Ox Open Readings

7:00 to 8:00 am Loon Call open poetry reading Breakfast
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 Registration Open
9:00 a.m. to 5:30 pm Book Room Open
9:30 to 10:30 Michael Dennis Browne "TEN TRUTHS ABOUT WRITING AND ONE UNTRUTH"
10:30 to 10:45 Break
10:45 to 11:45 Connie Wanek "THE PATIENT POET"
12:00 to 2:30 pm NFSPS Luncheon poem by religious contest winner Stevens Manuscript Award
1:00 to 1:15 Break
1:15 to 2:30 NFSPS Inc Contest Awards
2:30 to 2:45 Break
2:45 to 4:00 Anna George Meek "SONATA: ON THE FLIRTATIONS BETWEEN POETRY AND MUSIC"
4:00 to 5:00 Panel discussion "PUBLICATION: WHAT ARE THE EDITORS LOOKING FOR?" Jim Perlman (Holy Cow!), John Rezmerski (County Lines) and others
5:00 to 5:45 Autograph signing at book room for Speakers
5:30 Hotel Cocktail hour
6:30 Dinner- poem by religious contest winner
7:30 to 8:00 Michael Dennis Browne, Keynote "WHAT THE POEM WANTS"
8:00 to 8:15 Break (S’mores at the Fire pit overlooking the Lake)
8:15 to 9:45 NFSPS Contest Awards
10:00 Arrowhead open poetry reading

7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Ladyslipper open poetry reading Breakfast
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. BOOK ROOM OPEN
9;30 to10:45 2nd Plenary
10:45 to11:00 Break
11:00 to 12:00 NFSPS Inc Board Meeting
11:00 Critique workshop for those not attending board meeting John Rezmerski and Christina Flaugher
12:00 to 2:30 pm Luncheon – poem by religious contest winner
12:45 to 1:00 Break
1:00 to 2:15 NFSPS Inc Contest Awards
2:15 to 2:30 Break
2:30 to 4:00 Panel Discussion Mark Doty, Connie Wanek, Anna George Meek and Michael Dennis Browne. Sue Chambers, moderator
"COMPLEX SIMPLICITY/ SIMPLE COMPLEXITY IN POETRY"
4:00 to 4:30 Autograph signing for Mark Doty
4:00 to 5:00 Bookroom closes-pick up all books (no book sales)
5:30 to 6:30 Reception Lakeside (or Rotunda if weather inclement) Announcement of "You be the Judge" Poetry contest top five winners
6:30 Dinner- poem by religious contest winner
7:30 to 8:00 Mark Doty Keynote Address
8:00 to 8:15 Break (S’mores at the Fire pit overlooking the Lake)
8:15 to finish NFSPS Inc Contest Awards
10:30? p.m. A Superior open poetry reading

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT TOUR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM

Indiana - Our President, Michael Strosahl has tendered his resignation and we will be naming a replacement at our May meeting. The Anderson Poetry Corner, under the direction of Glenna Glee, has offered to sponsor this meeting on May 30th at the Anderson Public Library. Holly Miller, regular freelance writer for the Saturday Evening Post, will be the main speaker and a workshop on "Punctuation" will be presented by Esther Towns. Election of Secretary and Treasurer will take place. The other officers are elected on even years. The annual Poets Rendezvous will be staged at Spring Mill State Park, October 23-25th. The winners of the annual contest are announced at this meeting. Several members of ISFPC are planning to attend the National Convention in Duluth, MN in June.

Louisiana - Louisiana State Poetry Society will celebrate Poetry Month on April 18th at our Annual Spring Festival when poets gather from the five Louisiana Chapters for a day to enjoy poetry and each others company. The Festival theme: Shakespeare

Mississippi - MPS met for its annual Fall Festival at Belhaven College in Jackson on November 19th, 2008. Jamie Dickson, high school teacher and poet, presented an informative discussion about the connection between reading and writing. Carolyn Ann Cates, MPS President, Mr Dickson and Dr Randy Smith, Creative Writing Instructor at Belhaven, led a critique session that proved helpful to members in attendance. An open mike session completed the day. President Cates presented awards to contest winners. Members are anticipating the Spring Festival.

Texas - Poetry Society of Texas meetings are presently held September through May on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 2:30 pm at the Preston Royal Library in Dallas, (exception: the Annual Awards Banquet, held at a Dallas hotel, takes the place of a November meeting). In June, attendance at the NFSPS Convention is encouraged. In July, the 3 day PST Summer Conference is held at different sites around the state (in 2008 was held in Houston with the theme, "Ropin’ the Muse in Texas" and hosted by the Poets Northwest Chapter) The 2008-09 Executive Board is President, Jeannette L. Strother; Vice-President, Peggy Zuleika Lynch; Treasurer, Amy Sandberg; Corresponding Secretary, Jimmye Inez Sessions; Recording Secretary, Barbara L. Berry; and Directors, Catherine L’Herisson, Pat Randolph and Lee Carroll.

Maine - Lewis Turco was member judge at the February meeting of MPS, held at the Historical Society in Portland. From him we learned about poetic forms traditionally used to express grief or loss; then guest judge Henry Braun discussed "ballad meter." Both poets read some of their own works. Our next meeting is Saturday, May 16th in Brewer, with member Dawn Potter judging the terza rima, and guest Weslea Sidon who will judge our poems "Inspired by Another Poem." Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will end at approximately 3:00 p.m., with a reading in the round. All guests are welcome. For additional information please contact Marta Finch at: moilarta@comcast.net. For a brochure and membership application, please contact Anne Hammond, Treasurer, Maine Poets Society, 1 Grove Street, Bath, ME 04530.

Deadline: August 31, 2009 (postmark). Five categories. Poet’s Choice, 80-line max., any form, any subject; prizes of $100, $50, $30, and $20, plus HMs; Free Verse /Theme: Movies, 40-line max., any free form, must mention specific movie or star or include quotation from a movie, prizes of $50, $30, and $20, plus HMs; Traditional Verse, 40-line max., any traditional form, any subject, prizes of $50, $30, and $20, plus HMs; New Poets / Dueling Judges (two judges, two sets of prizes), 30-line max., any form, any subject, prizes of $50, $30, and $20, plus HMs; Members Only, 6-12 lines, any form, any subject, prizes of $50, $30, and $20, plus HMs. Cash winners published in Verseweavers annual anthology. Fees: $1 per poem for members, except $2 for New Poets / Dueling Judges and none for "Members Only"; $4 per poem for non-members, except $8 for New Poets / Dueling Judges. Poems must be original, unpublished, not prior cash winners. No more than one poem per category, with no duplication. For all categories, two copies, one with category, line count, name, address, phone, and email in upper right, the other with category and line count only. Persons submitting in the New Poets / Dueling Judges category must sign a statement, "I have never won a cash prize for a poem." Mail entries to Laura LeHew , OSPA Contest Chair, P.O. Box 50638, Eugene, OR 97405. For complete guidelines and membership information, see the OSPA Website, www.oregonpoets.org.

Oregon State Poetry Association is planning its spring conference for April 24 and 25, 2009. It will begin on Friday at the famous Powell’s Book Store in Portland with an open mike and readings by the three presenters, Paul Hunter, a Washington State Book Award winner for poetry, John C. Morrison, author of "Heaven of the Moment," and Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge, author of "Poemcrazy: freeing your life with words," Saturday’s workshop sessions will be on the campus of Portland State University in the Native American Conference Center. This conference is being organized by the new Portland OSPA unit. A prequel occurs on Friday afternoon with a special event to raise money for OSPA. Sharon Wood Wortman, poet and author of the "Portland Bridge Book", will conduct a Portland Bridge Walking Tour. Check the OSPA website for details at www.oregonpoets.org.

1) Joseph V. Hickey Memorial Award Lyric between 24-40 lines. Mark envelope "Lyric". Deadline: April 15, 2009; 2) William Stafford Golden String Award. Narrative between 24-40 lines. Mark envelope "Golden String Award" Deadline: July 15, 2009 (do not send before May 1st!). 3) Mary Oliver "White Pine Award prose Poem between 250 - 300 words. Mark envelope "White Pine". Deadline: October 15 (do not send before August 1st). Awards, $25/$15 each category. Winning poem published in Harp-Strings Poetry Journal. Second place may be published. Fee: $2 per poem 3/$5 (per category--do not mix).

Check must be made payable to Madelyn Eastlund or poem disqualified. 2 copies with id & address upper right corner one copy only. SASE for Winners report. Send to: Harp-Strings String Poetry Journal, Box 640387, Beverly Hills, FL 34464

The Manningham Trust Students Award 2009 poems are now being judged. Awards will be presented to the state chair for presentation to schools and students at the end of April. The rules for the 2010 contest (deadline March 15, 2010) will be available to be mailed to all State Presidents by July 10 (or a bit before). If your state is changing president’s this spring please contact me so I may correct the 2010 state president information. If a state Youth Chairman has changed I would also very much like to have the name and address of the incoming chair. Please contact me either by email (verdure@tampabay.rr.com) or snail mail: 310 S. Adams Street, Beverly Hills, FL 34465. Madelyn Eastlund 2009/2010 Manningham Chair.

You are encouraged to attend both Plenary Sessions. After you are welcomed and given an overview of the Convention, NFSPS Board members will be introduced and deliver their reports on the running of NFSPS and its various programs/projects. You might witness discussion and voting on a motion by the appointed State Delegates. State societies’ activities of the past year will be learned via the reading of State Reports. So, your presence is requested, as NFSPS is your organization.

You are entitled to name up to five State Delegates, who are expected to be present at the 1st and 2nd Plenary Sessions to be available to vote on motions that might be brought before them by the NFSPS Executive Board. Certification of their status must be brought to the Convention by each Delegate in order to be seated. A letter listing the Delegates should be mailed prior to the Convention to NFSPS Secretary Christine Delea with a copy being mailed to me, also. State Reports could be mailed at the same time. These need to be as brief as possible, filled only with interesting highlights of state society activities in the past year. Reporters need to be assigned, and if it is known that no one from a state society will be attending the Convention, notice should be given in advance.

Open to all. Submit only one entry of either a Shakespearean or Petrarchan sonnet. The entry must be original and unpublished. Submit 2 copies, typed double-spaced, on standard 81/2 x 11" paper with name and address on one copy in the upper right corner, but no ID on the second copy. 1st place $50. 2nd Place, $35. 3rd Place, $15. 3 HM unranked. 3 Special Recognitions, un-ranked. There is no fee. Winners will be notified by Nov. 1st, 2009. The poet keeps all rights. No entries will be returned. Enclose an SASE for the winners list. All rules printed here. Rules do not change from year to year, but the chairmanship may, so check the latest listings in chicagopoetry.com, illinoispoets.org, poetsandpatrons.net, Poet’s Market, Writers Market, or Strophes. Mail entries Postmarked by September 1st, 2009 to Barbara Eaton, 416 Gierz Street, Downers Grove, IL 605-3838.

One of our sessions will involve critiquing of poems of attendees at convention. Our workshop leaders will select 5 to 10 poems to highlight during the session, but all poems submitted will get a written critique.

Submit your poem on or before May 1, 2009. No more than 24 lines, on left hand side designate the type of poem "free verse" "sonnet", etc., 2 copies, one with name and address, one without identification. Poems will be returned at the end of the session. You must be attending convention to submit.

Mail to: Susan Stevens Chambers, 57310 166th Lane, Good Thunder, MN 56037.

schambersmediator@yahoo.com (in Re: line please identify it as a critique poem submission)

I want to thank all of the NFSPS members for their patience and prayers this past year. When I accepted this position I didn’t realize that my life would be turned upside down and due to numerous problems that have come up, the next year of my term will be filled by president Nancy Baass as it was short notice to find another editor at this time. I hope you will show her the same consideration and patience you have shown me. Thank you for your kindness. Please send all your news by the June 25th deadline to Nancy Baass, 2306 N. DeLeon Street, Victoria, TX 77901 or email: nbaas@earthlink.net

Thank you again, Caroline Walton

Heartland Poets, a chapters of the League of Minnesota Poets, has agreed to order long-sleeved shirts for convention attendees (can be worn as a light jacket during the harbor boat ride or in air conditioned rooms during workshop sessions). Each shirt will have a pocket NFSPS Logo silkscreened in gold metallic. Wrinkle-resistant long-sleeved shirts, in 55/45 cotton/poly, are available in white, tan, black or coffee bean (white, black & coffee bean have inside collar band in tan). Women’s sizes: XS-XXL, Plus 1X & Plus 2X Men’s sizes: XS- 3XL. Shirts in regular sizes XS-XL are $25. All other sizes, add $3. These would make great gifts. Questions? Call 1-218-829-5402, evenings. Contact: <heartlandpoets@gmail.com> or send check with size and color information to: C. Donovan, 18755 Tracside Road, Brainerd, MN 56401. Orders received after May 10th, may require $5 postage. Shirts can be ordered in Duluth, but there will be a $5 shipping/handling fee. Make checks payable to: Heartland Poets.

Has a contest available to poets nationwide. 1st place, $250; 2nd Place, $100; 3rd Place, $50 and publication in the Anthology Voices Along the River. Deadline is June 15th.
See details on a link at www.sanantoniopoetryfair.com

Formerly the Brodine/Brodinsky Poetry Competition & Wallace Winchell Contests. Open to all poets. Deadline May 31st (postmark) Prizes of $400, $200, and $100. Send up to
3 unpublished poems, any form, 80 line limit. Include 2 copies of each poem: one with name and address and one without. Include SASE for results. Fee $15 for up to 3 poems. Make check out to Connecticut Poetry Society. Winning poems will be published in Connecticut River Review. Send entries to:
(name of contest), CPS
P.O.Box 270554
West Hartford, CT 06127

Annual contest has 50 categories with prizes from $100 down to $10 and a range of subjects and forms. Send an SASE for flyer now to:
Coleen T. Ward
955 Thompson Court
Melbourne, FL 32935-4146.
Deadline is July 15th (postmarked).

Deadline July 15th. Send an SASE now to:
Frances Cowden
P.O.Box 2018
Memphis, TN 38088
for contest flyer. Many interesting Categories.