Love of words finds expression in poetry society Love of words finds expression in poetry society
By Chris Jones
Published: June 3, 2007
Poems just tumble out of Maxine Austin's creative mind. She often hops out of bed in the middle of the night to capture a fleeting phrase. Her subjects range from war to safety pins, and she encourages anyone who has a poetic idea to write it down, even if it is just two words.
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Austin and other Poetry Society of Oklahoma members will host the 2007 National Federation of State Poetry Societies National Convention on Thursday through June 11 at the Oklahoma City Marriott.
The convention theme, "For the Memories,” will highlight Oklahoma talent, emblems, traditions and history.
Guests include keynote speaker Madelyn Eastlund, editor of Strophes, the federation's national newsletter; Nancy Breen, editor of Poet's Market for Writer's Digest Books; and Sy Swan, published poet, judge and panelist active in national poetry societies. Opera singer Leona Mitchell will perform June 10.
Convention chairwoman Vivian Stewart said the Poetry Society of Oklahoma's 160 members include men and women from all walks of life who are interested in writing or listening to poetry.
Austin, who lives in Enid and claims to be the state society's oldest member (though she won't give her age), said she went with her mother to the 1934 meeting at which the state society was established.
"I began writing poetry in 1940, and my first poem, ‘The Question,' was about the bombing of Britain in World War II and the anguish overseas,” Austin said.
"I write about experience and reactions to feelings, and I have written whimsical poems about rubber bands and paper clips.” She said poetry helps her notice and appreciate small, everyday things.
"Poetry has to come from the heart, and it has to have content,” Austin said. "I ask myself, ‘Will this poem inspire, help and be remembered?'”
Barbara Shepherd fits poetry into her life, even if it is just 10 minutes at a time. She is writing several screenplays and a novel, works a full-time job, has two home-based businesses and family obligations.
"I didn't start writing poetry until a few years ago,” Shepherd said. "I grew up in Yale, where my parents farmed, and I was working out in the field at the end of a hoe handle. I didn't know the first thing about poetry, and I was amazed that people enjoyed what I wrote.”
Shepherd said she thought poetry was a rigid writing form but discovered otherwise. "Poet friends encourage one another,” she said. "I asked them what they thought makes a good poem, and they told me not to worry about rules.”
Shepherd said the convention will be a time for Oklahoma poets to meet poets from across the country.
Theme days will honor Will Rogers (1879-1935), featuring cowboy poets Charlie Cahill, Marianne McNeil Logan and Sierra Seawright; Louis L'Armour (1908-88), the most famous Poetry Society of Oklahoma member whose first published work, the poem, "Let Me Remember,” was included in a 1936 Poetry Society of Oklahoma Anthology; and Lynn Riggs (1899-1954), another early member who wrote many stage and screenplays including "Green Grow the Lilacs,” which became the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway hit, "Oklahoma!”
For months, Mary Chase and other members researched Oklahoma poetry society archives and found topics ranging from lakes and pecan trees to Oklahoma towns, weather and the Murrah Building bombing. Chase edited and illustrated an edition of 150 poems about Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Centennial Heritage Collection book will be introduced at the convention.
"The poems are filled with feelings and emotion, and that's really what poetry is all about,” Chase said.
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Podcast
Hear a podcast with Vivian Stewart of Piedmont, poet laureate 2006 of the Poetry Society of Oklahoma, and poetry chairman of the 2007 National Federation of State Poetry Societies National Convention in Oklahoma City. She taught creative writing at Southern Nazarene University from 1982-95 and teaches writing courses at Francis Tuttle Technology Center. She is founder of Windmill Poets and is a poetry columnist for Poets Forum Magazine.
Poetry Society of Oklahoma
•What: The Poetry Society of Oklahoma was established in 1934 by Zoe Tilghman, wife of peace officer Bill Tilghman. Meetings are held in January, March, July and October. It is not necessary to write poetry to join.
•Membership: Yearly dues are $20.
•Publication: The Oklahoma Centennial Heritage Collection poetry book is available for $20. It celebrates Oklahoma through poetry written from the 1930s to 2006.
•Convention: The 2007 National Federation of State Poetry Societies convention, Thursday through June 11, is hosted by the Poetry Society of Oklahoma and celebrates Oklahoma's Centennial.
•Where: Oklahoma City Marriott, 3233 Northwest Expressway.
•Information: 373-0713, 635-0101 or online at www.poetrysocietyofoklahoma.org.
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