Wordcrafters (like NSPF, a subset of the Massachusetts State Poetry Society) usually meets at the Peabody Library but this month on Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m., will meet at the Salem home of Beverley Barnes due to construction efforts at the library. Roberta Hung will provide the presentation and there will be some time set aside for gentle critique and reading of one another’s poems.

 

Although she hasn’t finalized her presentation, Roberta had been considering joining in the Massachusetts Poetry Festival’s efforts to get more than 10,000 people to read the same seven poems during the month of April. The effort, dubbed “Common Threads”, features poetry from Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Pinsky, and Kevin Young, among others.

 

Also on the agenda will be a discussion of ways to honor fellow North Shore poet Amy Dengler who passed away earlier this year after a courageous battle against cancer. Roberta has been in touch with Amy’s family and was able to obtain a copy of Amy’s final collected works. The family gave Roberta permission to disseminate copies to beloved friends of Amy’s. Discussions are also planned for a possible memorial contest in Amy’s name. For information, e-mail Roberta, or leave a post here and we will forward along information as it becomes available.