EDITOR’S NOTE

Poetry reading

Ilike to write, but I am certainly no poet. There was this one time, however, when I tried my hand. It all started with an envelope of “clippins” from my grandmother in Montgomery. Who doesn’t remember getting newspaper “clippins” in the mail from their granny? The small white envelopes she seemed to mail weekly always had an obituary, an article of interest and maybe a recipe to try, usually with her handwriting down the margins, adding whatever anecdotes or corrections she deemed necessary. She had been a schoolteacher, after all, and her red pen was fierce.

This one envelope in particular, which came in the mail when I was in the fourth grade, included an article about the Alabama State Poetry Contest. It sounded exciting, and for whatever reason, I sat down by the fire that night, scrawled out a few lines and mailed it off the very next day. To my surprise and delight, I won in my age category! I should add that to my current resume — award-winning poet.

That was probably the last time I wrote any poetry, which is good news for us all. Combining words with the right rhythm, emotion and expression is a gift! Knowing this, I was completely in awe and full of admiration this month as I witnessed the winners of the Mobile Public Library’s Poetry Slam contest perform their poetry out loud. If you aren’t familiar with slam poetry, it is theater that combines writing, stage presence, competition and audience participation, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The name slam comes from how the audience has the power to praise or destroy the poem, and also from the high-energy performance style of the poets.

These kids had energy and stage presence to be sure. Their topics ranged from nature to sports to social justice, and every single one stirred your soul. I admire their courage to climb in front of a room full of people and share their words with the world — a feat most of us could never undertake.

Take me, for example. I might write a few words on the page, but when it comes to performance, I’m out. More than 30 years later, I still don’t have the gumption to recite my award-winning fourthgrade poem in front of the MB staff. Creating art is truly something special that feeds the soul. Sharing it with the world, however, PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU Maggie Lacey EXECUTIVE EDITOR maggie@pmtpublishing.com feeds everyone else’s soul, too, and for that, we are grateful to the many poets, painters, filmmakers and musicians in this annual arts issue. Without them, our lives would be incredibly vanilla.

Did you know? Alabama’s poet laureate is Ashley M. Jones, a native of Birmingham. Jones is the youngest person to hold that title in its almost 100 years (she is 31 years old) and is the first Black poet laureate for the state.

MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS PRONOUNCED IT “MINEZ,” TOO! IN LOVE WITH THESE TINY WORKS OF ART. BLUE PLATE ORNAMENT, MOBILEBAYSHOP.COM

LOVE THIS ISSUE

COMFORTABLE ART LOCAL ARTISTS ARE HAVING THEIR WORKS PRINTED ON FABRIC AND TURNED INTO THE MOST PRECIOUS KIDS PAJAMAS, BABY BLANKETS AND MORE! FAIRHOPE PJS, MOBILEBAYSHOP.COM

LIGHT AND COLOR ARTIST MAGGIE STICKNEY FINDS INSPIRATION IN THE EVERYDAY. THE GROCERY STORE STICKERS ON THE FRUIT GIVE THIS STILL LIFE A SENSE OF HUMOR. PAGE 30

PLATED PERFECTION THE BEST CHEFS CAN ELEVATE MERE INGREDIENTS TO WORKS OF ART. THIS FISH AND SUCCOTASH FROM MARGAUX IS A PERFECT COMPOSITION FOR THE EYE AND THE PALATE! PAGE 20

DRIVE BY MISSISSIPPI ARTIST WYATT WATERS MADE A STOP ON THE ALABAMA GULF COAST DURING HIS RECENT ROAD TRIPS. THE ORIGINAL WATERCOLORS CAN BE YOURS — THEY’RE FOR SALE ON HIS WEBSITE! PAGE 18

STUFF IT THE PRECIOUS GLASS DEVILLED CRAB DISHES IN OUR BAY TABLES THIS MONTH INSPIRED ME TO FIND MY OWN. THESE DARLING VINTAGE ORANGE FELLOWS ARE FOR SALE ON EBAY!