Roll Call

Cora’s Roll is simply to share a poem by a contemporary woman of color.  All I could was to pull out the one book of poems that I own and let you be charmed!

Trivia: I actually met Nikki Giovanni when I was in undergrad at the University of Cincinnati.

Communication by Nikki Giovanni

If music is the most universal language

just think of me as one whole note

if science has the most perfect language

picture me as MC²

since mathematics can speak to the infinite

imagine me as 1 to the first power

what i mean is    one day

i’m gonna grab your love

and you’ll be satisfied

Poets Laureate to Gather in Indianapolis

POETS LAUREATE WORLDWIDE TO GATHER IN INDIANA FOR BIENNIAL EVENT   

The National Gathering of Poets Laureate will be held in Indianapolis 
this June 22-28. The theme of the Gathering is "Sporting Words" as the 
participants will use poetry to celebrate Indiana's rich history and 
current culture in athletics. The Indiana Arts Commission is collaborating 
with various organizations to host the event which will feature many 
U.S. and international Poets Laureate.    

From the Eiteljorg Museum exhibit on the Native American invention of 
La Crosse to the National Sports Art Museum on the IUPUI campus, Poets 
Laureate from around the country and world will come together and put a 
voice to their experience. Participants will attend youth poetry 
clinics and sporting activities across the state, and then convene in 
Indianapolis to observe, participate, write and recite poetry at 
sports-related activities.   

As an element of the gathering, local poets will lead sports/poetry 
clinics for youth this spring. Students will write poetry in advance, then 
recite their creations in various locations around Indiana for our Poet 
Laureate guests. The recitations will be distributed to the 
participants on CD.   

"Sporting Words" will be the third biennial Poets Laureate event.  In 
previous years, poets have gathered in New Hampshire and North Dakota. 
Currently, 39 states have a Poet Laureate.     

For more information about "Sporting Words, a Gathering of Poets 
Laureate," including a complete listing of the week's activities and 
registration forms for public events, visit 
www.in.gov/arts/poet/sportingwords/index.html. The Indiana Arts Commission funds the Poet Laureate 
education efforts through an annual stipend, administers special programs, and 
maintains the website. 

YES!! There are jobs for poets

From over at PR WEb:

PoeticWorks has 25 immediate part time positions that are perfect for someone who loves to frequent poetry events. One can perform Spoken Word, interact with interesting people and get the word out about the many different publishing options available by PoeticWorks to assist them in writing/publishing their work.

Poet Martin Espada: Poesia Viva

As part of the 16th Annual Etheridge Knight Festival of the Arts, IMCPL presents Latino poet Martin Espada who will present a writing workshop for middle school and high school students on Thursday, April 26 from 10 – 11:15 a.m. at the Glendale Branch. The workshop is sponsored by the Arts Council of Indianapolis.Called the Pablo Neruda of North American authors, Espada draws inspiration from his Puerto Rican heritage and his work experiences ranging from bouncer to tenant lawyer. His eighth collection of poems is entitled, “The Republic of Poetry.” His book, “Alabanza: New and Selected Poems, 1982-2002,” received the Paterson Award for Sustained Literary Achievement and was named an American Library Association Notable Book of the Year.

Teachers are asked to call 275-4088 to register their students for this free Library program.