Meetings are held at the Beverly Public Library, usually on the third Saturday (see the following schedule for deviations), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members are asked to bring a little bit of food to share (cookies, cheese, whatever), and after a program, they are also encouraged to bring a poem for gentle critique. It is best to bring copies of the poem(s) so members can write suggestions, praise, etc.

Sept. 18: Poets bring poems by a favorite poet to discuss and share. Gentle critiques of individual poems follow; program set for year.

Oct. 16: David Kristin will present a performance of his poetry. (See earlier blog entry for more information about David.)

Nov. 20: Melissa Varnarvas will present a program on imagery

Dec. 4: Holiday Party. The forum convenes with the full Massachusetts State Poetry Society for a program and  Yankee Swap. The forum awards a $10 prize to the poet who write the “most apt” poem, one that best describes the present he or she brought for the Yankee Swap. Neither the present  nor the poem are signed. All is revealed when the winner is declared.

Jan. 22: Elva Nelson will present a program on the sonnet. In the event of a snow storm, the meeting will be canceled.

Feb. 19:  Claire Keyes will present a program on D.H. Lawrence.

March 19: Melissa Varnarvas will present a program on inspiration. Fresh from her MFA, Melissa is enthusiastic, which is terrific! So, two programs from her this year.

April 16: The annual Poetry Reading, with winners of the annual Naomi Cherkofsky national contest asked to read, followed by open mic. Always a great time, everyone is invited.

May 21: Jeanette Maes, president of the Mass State Society and treasurer of NSPF, will give a program, topic to be determined.

June 18: The NSPF holds an annual outing, usually in Gloucester, during which we enjoy the scenery and one another’s poems. We lunch afterward at a local eatery.

Summer recess … See you in September