I have so much respect for your work LeeAnn. I've seen you hold space for poets in online readings, always love reading your thoughtful poetry, comments and sense a leader role in your presence here on Substack.
Love to hear about going bigger, vs staying smaller. I believe there's never been a more important time for the voice of the poet in everyday life. Here's a small piece I've written lately that maybe speaks to this;
I am going to read your post next. Words, speaking them, writing them, sharing them, is so crucial right now. “They” want us to be quiet and we can’t let them take our words.
I see poetic lines in public places, I see mixed arts events. I hear them spoken in out of the way places, where balm and soothe is needed. I see much that these words can do.
Thanks for all that and you know I am a big fan of accessible poetry, it's my main jam, as they say. I always look forward to whatever you put out as thoughtfulness never grows stale.
Writing a weekly substack can be a lot. So can the shift to encompass something new (at least to the substack). I wonder if you'll find yourself writing in the liminal spaces between poetry and prose.
Very much looking forward to where you go, as you go, with your substack. And to reading your memoir.
Good for you. Regarding accessibility, I think it’s helpful to think of an individual reader rather than an audience. Every poem I write has a reader, but that reader can change somewhat depending on what I want to say and how I will say it. It’s person to person, not person to ‘mass’. If I feel I am reaching that person, I know I will reach others, too. It may be a few or a lot, but either way it will, hopefully, have ‘accessibility’. Writing to an ‘audience’, on the other hand, would seem to require some degree of compromise of vision, or produce a sameness in one’s work. Not always an easy distinction, but I find it helpful. Anyway, as always, it’s whatever works for you. Best.
I love that idea. I don’t think about an audience or reader when I write; it’s when I’m about to share it that I get stuck. But I really am going to take the idea of writing to one reader to heart.
To meet me where I am, you would need to open the closet. Go ahead. It's ok. I understand there is just a faint light; I am barely visible because I am an emerging poet, an artist discovering what it means to create. The seed was always there. It was watered and germinated during COVID. I am a post-COVID bloom. It began with writing, watercolor, and acrylic. I am not one bloom but many. Branches grafted along the way, trying to determine what to call myself. Words were even strung together to elicit an emotion. Some may label those grouped words as poetry. There is no discovering without attempt or naming, which would be limiting. I am many. I am an artist.
Thank you for sharing Changes Affoot. This is what it stimulated in me.
I love your poetry, LeeAnn. Two lines of yours are so moving and essential to a cento I recently made. I have a feeling you’re walking into a new phase that will bring you much creative freedom and joy.
To all of this, I relate. After hibernating during 18 months of physical challenges, I am feeling stronger than ever and ready to jump back in. The questions continues to be "Into which body of water shall I leap and where shall I swim once in?"
I am excited about these times. I hope you too will be too, LeeAnn.
I haven't yet watched the replay of the Bella DeSendi class, so maybe she covered this question. But I always wonder why and how "accessible" became such a dirty word in MFA/MFA-adjacent culture.
She didn’t address that specifically but that’s definitely a needed conversation. She talked a lot about using colloquial language when writing. I had to leave after the first hour so I didn’t stay for the exercises.
I love these lines: "My first instinct is to draw in, hold myself close. But close leads to closed. So I’m challenging myself to step through the opened door and see what happens." The temptation to withdraw versus to expand--I feel like that's the constant see-saw for me too. I'm so happy that you're stepping through the opened door because I really enjoy all your different types of words.
I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability so much - and I can 100% relate! Your poems are beautiful, LeeAnn. I’ve loved everything I’ve read here and look forward to whatever is to come. 💛
Yes! Poetry or prose - write what you wish to write, and only that, and only when you feel like writing it.
I lean towards clarity myself, usually. I don't mind obscure and mysterious poetry, if that's where the heart is - but poetry where the whole purpose appears to be achieving obscurity, as an intellectual exercise .... does become tedious.
LeeAnn, go for it! Write, whether poetry or prose, because that's what you do and that's what you enjoy or most love to do.
What your last paragraph relates: that is a gift, and no comment from a professional poet is going to change that. Put 10 people in a room and all 10 will probably "see" something in a poem the others do not. That's not to say we all cannot improve, learn how to use forms, etc. Feedback can be helpful. It can also sting, just as a rejection can. But something constructive and useful can be found in either.
Take heart in this: Those of us who already read you, admire you and look forward to what you offer here. When you think a piece of writing is good enough to share, share it. If you'd rather not have comments on a piece, don't allow them.
It's great that you have a poetry group. Explore and have fun!
Maureen, you are always so supportive and kind. I do love to write more than anything and giving myself the freedom to write and share both is, I hope, a way back toward that joy of putting pen to paper. Thank you so much for reading each post and sharing—it means a lot.
I just want to say that your poetry is very accessible. Not everyone’s is, to your point. Don’t stop sharing. And of course I welcome reading your prose!
I’ll never forget that you came to my reading at the Makeout Room and we had only interacted on Substack. It meant so much to me. I would love to go to a reading together sometime.
Yes! Well we have more local poet Substackers here in the Bay Area ! We need to have a meetup!
I was excited about the Makeup Room monthly event but I haven’t been able to go back… that was a great vibe. And it was great to see you read in person. 😍
That would awesome. Maybe even putting together an in-person reading. I’m leaving town to go see my mother tomorrow but I’m back Saturday and I would love to connect on putting something together when I get back.
I have so much respect for your work LeeAnn. I've seen you hold space for poets in online readings, always love reading your thoughtful poetry, comments and sense a leader role in your presence here on Substack.
Love to hear about going bigger, vs staying smaller. I believe there's never been a more important time for the voice of the poet in everyday life. Here's a small piece I've written lately that maybe speaks to this;
'Poetry is not the most popular art'
https://theseainme.substack.com/p/poetry-is-not-the-most-popular-art?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=46rss
I am going to read your post next. Words, speaking them, writing them, sharing them, is so crucial right now. “They” want us to be quiet and we can’t let them take our words.
I see poetic lines in public places, I see mixed arts events. I hear them spoken in out of the way places, where balm and soothe is needed. I see much that these words can do.
Thanks LeeAnn.
Thanks for all that and you know I am a big fan of accessible poetry, it's my main jam, as they say. I always look forward to whatever you put out as thoughtfulness never grows stale.
Thank you so much, Wes. Your poems are fresh and delightful.
Well, we are a mutual admiration society.
Writing a weekly substack can be a lot. So can the shift to encompass something new (at least to the substack). I wonder if you'll find yourself writing in the liminal spaces between poetry and prose.
Very much looking forward to where you go, as you go, with your substack. And to reading your memoir.
I am drawn to that liminal space between the two. I’d like to spend some time there.
Good for you. Regarding accessibility, I think it’s helpful to think of an individual reader rather than an audience. Every poem I write has a reader, but that reader can change somewhat depending on what I want to say and how I will say it. It’s person to person, not person to ‘mass’. If I feel I am reaching that person, I know I will reach others, too. It may be a few or a lot, but either way it will, hopefully, have ‘accessibility’. Writing to an ‘audience’, on the other hand, would seem to require some degree of compromise of vision, or produce a sameness in one’s work. Not always an easy distinction, but I find it helpful. Anyway, as always, it’s whatever works for you. Best.
I love that idea. I don’t think about an audience or reader when I write; it’s when I’m about to share it that I get stuck. But I really am going to take the idea of writing to one reader to heart.
To meet me where I am, you would need to open the closet. Go ahead. It's ok. I understand there is just a faint light; I am barely visible because I am an emerging poet, an artist discovering what it means to create. The seed was always there. It was watered and germinated during COVID. I am a post-COVID bloom. It began with writing, watercolor, and acrylic. I am not one bloom but many. Branches grafted along the way, trying to determine what to call myself. Words were even strung together to elicit an emotion. Some may label those grouped words as poetry. There is no discovering without attempt or naming, which would be limiting. I am many. I am an artist.
Thank you for sharing Changes Affoot. This is what it stimulated in me.
Thank you for sharing what came up for you. That’s one of the best compliments I think.
I love your poetry, LeeAnn. Two lines of yours are so moving and essential to a cento I recently made. I have a feeling you’re walking into a new phase that will bring you much creative freedom and joy.
Ann, you are so generous and kind, like your poetry. I loved that cento too!
To all of this, I relate. After hibernating during 18 months of physical challenges, I am feeling stronger than ever and ready to jump back in. The questions continues to be "Into which body of water shall I leap and where shall I swim once in?"
I am excited about these times. I hope you too will be too, LeeAnn.
Thanks, Kim. I’m so glad you’re feeling stronger. I’m dare I say a bit excited about where this might take me.
I haven't yet watched the replay of the Bella DeSendi class, so maybe she covered this question. But I always wonder why and how "accessible" became such a dirty word in MFA/MFA-adjacent culture.
She didn’t address that specifically but that’s definitely a needed conversation. She talked a lot about using colloquial language when writing. I had to leave after the first hour so I didn’t stay for the exercises.
We love your poems!! I think they are very relatable and accessible :)
I love you guys! You even kept my poem on your refrigerator.
I love these lines: "My first instinct is to draw in, hold myself close. But close leads to closed. So I’m challenging myself to step through the opened door and see what happens." The temptation to withdraw versus to expand--I feel like that's the constant see-saw for me too. I'm so happy that you're stepping through the opened door because I really enjoy all your different types of words.
Thank you, thank you, Margaret Ann. And I love your poetry.
I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability so much - and I can 100% relate! Your poems are beautiful, LeeAnn. I’ve loved everything I’ve read here and look forward to whatever is to come. 💛
And I yours, my friend.
Yes! Poetry or prose - write what you wish to write, and only that, and only when you feel like writing it.
I lean towards clarity myself, usually. I don't mind obscure and mysterious poetry, if that's where the heart is - but poetry where the whole purpose appears to be achieving obscurity, as an intellectual exercise .... does become tedious.
Keep writing from your heart.
Best Wishes - Dave :)
Thanks so much, David. I will.
I agree, Dave. Thanks so much for your support.
LeeAnn, go for it! Write, whether poetry or prose, because that's what you do and that's what you enjoy or most love to do.
What your last paragraph relates: that is a gift, and no comment from a professional poet is going to change that. Put 10 people in a room and all 10 will probably "see" something in a poem the others do not. That's not to say we all cannot improve, learn how to use forms, etc. Feedback can be helpful. It can also sting, just as a rejection can. But something constructive and useful can be found in either.
Take heart in this: Those of us who already read you, admire you and look forward to what you offer here. When you think a piece of writing is good enough to share, share it. If you'd rather not have comments on a piece, don't allow them.
It's great that you have a poetry group. Explore and have fun!
Maureen, you are always so supportive and kind. I do love to write more than anything and giving myself the freedom to write and share both is, I hope, a way back toward that joy of putting pen to paper. Thank you so much for reading each post and sharing—it means a lot.
Always my pleasure, LeeAnn.
Maureen-- You are always so supportive and kind. It does not go unnoticed. It is always appreciated.
Thank you, Kim. That means a lot.
I just want to say that your poetry is very accessible. Not everyone’s is, to your point. Don’t stop sharing. And of course I welcome reading your prose!
I won’t stop sharing. It’s really the new poetry I feel unsure about.
I’ll never forget that you came to my reading at the Makeout Room and we had only interacted on Substack. It meant so much to me. I would love to go to a reading together sometime.
Yes! Well we have more local poet Substackers here in the Bay Area ! We need to have a meetup!
I was excited about the Makeup Room monthly event but I haven’t been able to go back… that was a great vibe. And it was great to see you read in person. 😍
That would awesome. Maybe even putting together an in-person reading. I’m leaving town to go see my mother tomorrow but I’m back Saturday and I would love to connect on putting something together when I get back.
Ok. Let’s move to the DM’s when you get back