November. A time for gratitude. Temperature drops vying to best October’s leaf drops. Dreams of winter: snow blankets? (Maybe de-icing windshields or breaking out wool caps and puffer coats.) The transition from apple cider and pumpkin-spice everything to cinnamon and cranberry with a touch of pine. Perhaps feasts with friends and family, along with a few football games. Maybe serving at a soup kitchen or donating a Thanksgiving meal. 

What wisdom this season brings. To be thankful. Kind. To serve others. I consider fellow Board members and volunteers who power our society, organizations that have partnered with us to bring poetry programs or events to our communities, and members who participate in our programs. I think of the people we reached out to this year who have helped bring poetry to life: connecting us to their networks, giving us physical space, delivering programs, judging contests, providing support through donations, sharing our activities with others, and more. I ponder the multiplicity of poets sharing their work with the world so we may experience its salient beauty and wisdom. Our society’s expanding community. The poetry network that threads through our nation and beyond. And I feel blessed. 

Blessings release a contagious energy. I’m excited about all we are doing as a society. I can’t wait to learn who has won our first-ever collegiate contest and look forward to reading their work. I anticipate the entries we will receive for our three contest programs with deadlines in December. I’m all in for our program on confessional poetry coming in January, our festival to be held in April, and points in between. 

I’m also anticipating at least one new book release by one of our member authors. It’s gifting season: why not give a poetry lover some poetry by one of our society members? Check out all the options on our book store. (Spoiler alert: you’ll discover some wonderful poetry inside those attractive covers.)

If you’re looking for ways to give back to our society, we could use your help. Have a passion for contests, events, marketing, or finance? (Or maybe you know someone who does?) Reach out (poetrytennessee@gmail.com) to learn about roles and anticipated time commitments, with no pressure to take on a role ever.

For our last statewide member meeting of 2024, we will gather to socialize and to create and share poetry. (Door prizes may also be involved.) In this giving season, we offer a space to come as you are: happy, sad, scared, angry, enthusiastic, meh…. However you arrive, we will be grateful for your presence in our community.

Curious about PST? Join us at a meeting or event, or take the plunge and join us for our 71st year. Reach out anytime. I hope to see you soon at a PST event.

With gratitude and enthusiasm—
Lisa Kamolnick
President, Poetry Society of Tennessee