April does not have a monopoly on poetry celebrations. June offers boundless poetry, too. Open mic events, educational programs, and craft tips have chased me across the physical and virtual plane. Poetry readings, book offerings, and ideas to enhance daily practice resound. And I continue to collect rejections in pursuit of publication.

I began the month at the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) Convention in Roswell, Georgia. The short trip felt like a trek to a different world—surrounded by poets of diverse ages and interests, discussing and sharing poetry from early morning through, well, early morning! Together, we learned the poetics of tango and explored nature and slam poetry. We were inspired by spoken word phenom Georgia Me, among a host of others. (And I’m just getting started.) We met virtually with Ukrainian poet Ihor Pavlyuk and learned what it’s like to create poetry in a war zone, how Ukrainians are faring, the growing need for prosthetics, and the proliferation of orphanages. We began an important project: Poets for Peace. (You’ll hear more about this and other initiatives through the year.)

We enjoyed top poets competing in the BlackBerry Peach Poetry Slam and selections from manuscript and spoken word contest winners. A youth poetry workshop and slam were also held. While at the convention, I especially enjoyed meeting our members Russell Strauss, Cynthia Storrs, and Cathy Hollister. After meeting with other state society members (another pleasure), I feel even more strongly that our collaboration can advance poetry here in Tennessee and … everywhere.

The convention also featured contest announcements and readings. I want to personally congratulate all our members who entered contests and our 13 members whose work was recognized. (Get details here.) Those placing in contests will have poems published in the upcoming Encore anthology, available soon.

Back home, amidst member renewals, new members continue to join us: welcome (and welcome back)! For those still considering renewal or new membership, we welcome you, too. Join us for our 71st year.

At the heart of June, I find a reminder to set voices free (the theme of the NFSPS convention). Whether putting words to a page to share with a friend or submit for publication or lifting our poems in performance, our voices hold great value. I invite each of you to lift your voice in as many ways as you can imagine in the coming year.

Join us in July for Jim Minick‘s writing workshop. Join an open mic, critique group meeting, or study session. Discover details for these and other opportunities in PST newsletters, on social media, and in meetings. We’ll be launching our monthly members-only contests soon, too!

If you have questions or comments, please reach out. I hope to see you soon at a PST event.

With enthusiasm—
Lisa Kamolnick
President, Poetry Society of Tennessee

As I write, bees are abuzz, grass is growing almost too quickly to maintain, and temperatures are soaring into summer degrees. Our 2023-2024 anthology is in process. We held our first member meeting this year, where we recognized volunteers for their time, energy, and passion. I reiterate my endless gratitude here. The blend of volunteers and participating members is the not-so-secret recipe for success. We held our first board meeting, too, with PST leaders eager to start on long-standing programs and new initiatives. The shifting PST year and season seep happiness into every cell. I’m looking forward to the coming summer vibe and what lies ahead for PST.

I’m also preparing for a trek to Roswell, Georgia, in early June to attend the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) Convention. It will be the first I’ve attended in person. I’m excited to meet people I’ve only interacted with via email and Zoom meetings (including PST members!), and I look forward to the programming. During the convention, I’ll provide an annual report during the President’s meeting, and several fellow members will join me as delegates during the NFSPS Plenary session. Many thanks to Russell Strauss, Cynthia Storrs, and JoAn Howerton for volunteering to represent us.

Last month I reported we would end our year on April 30 with 113 members. I was a little low. It was 116 (for those keeping count, that’s a 52% growth over last year). Many thanks to those of you who have already renewed, and a warm welcome to our new members. We’re working on some wonderful opportunities for you this year. A big thank you also to the folks who have stayed in or stepped into volunteer roles for our society: you make member opportunities possible. For those still considering renewal or new membership, we welcome you. Join us for our 71st year.

As our 70th year cools to a close, I feel the heat of what’s coming and the energy of poets across Tennessee. During this past year, several of you had books published (some were first collections; one was an 8th!). Many of you had poems published. (We already have more to celebrate!) This also means we have collected many rejections. And while they sometimes sting a bit, they mean we are doing the work. So let’s celebrate those, too.

Looking ahead, we’re gearing up for monthly members-only contests: to sponsor a contest, get information here. This summer join Jane Hicks and Jim Minick for generative writing workshops. (More great programs are in the works.) Join our new open mic on 1st Tuesdays in Johnson City, Tennessee, a partnership with Poetry Writers Workshop and The Philosopher’s House. Discover more in PST newsletters, on social media, and in meetings.

Here’s to a sizzling summer of poetic practice and a wonderful year for PST. We want you to have a positive experience. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out. I hope to see you soon at a PST event.

With warmth and excitement—
Lisa Kamolnick
President, Poetry Society of Tennessee