Poetry and wounded warriors

Our Coastal Poetry Consortium is trying to organize a poetry-writing workshop for wounded warriors at Camp Lejeune. Marty Silverthorne, a good poet and a great guy who is also a quadriplegic, has agreed to lead the workshop. I can't think of a better leader for such a group!

Marty and Mike Hamer, who is also wheelchair-bound, have a group called "Eight wheels and nowhere to go." They present programs of song and poetry. They are excellent.

Walking into April

Went with Nancy and Les King to Barton College today for the N.C. Poetry Society's annual Walking Into April program.

Nancy and Marty Silverthorne presented their poetry in the morning and had an open forum. In the afternoon, Lenard Moore read, followed by the three poets he had mentored for the Gilbert-Chapell Distinguished Poets Series read. Then there was an open mike.

There were a good number from Jacksonville: Nancy, me, Veronica Williams, Patsy Lain, and Donna Graham. Patsy and Donna were two of Lenard's students and read wonderful work.

Spent entirely too much on wonderful poetry books.

I will post pictures later.

Poetry and music in Greenville

I went to the Eclipse Gallery in Greenville to attend a performance of poetry and music by Marty Silverthorne and Mike Hamer. Both men are in wheelchairs: Marty is a quadriplegic and Mike a paraplegic. Marty's poetry was excellent, much of it with a true rural NC flavor, and Mike's music, which he sang and played on the hammer dulcimer and harmonica was interesting and often amusing. Marty and Mike collaborated on the lyrics of some of the songs. An excellent program!

The mighty Breva scooted down and back smoothly, efficiently, and gorgeously, as usual. I am going to have fun on my motorcycle this summer!