5 minute read
Arts
The POWER of Prose
Earlier this year, 23-year-old Amanda Gorman became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history when she read “The Hill We Climb” at the White House, sparking a newfound appreciation for one of the world’s oldest art forms. In celebration of National Poetry Month, we asked three talented locals to pen original works just for you.
by TRACY MARCELLO
A boy once told me, We are made of stars. I imagined bits of shine broken off from stars inside us. He meant, we are made of divine ingredients — calcium in our teeth, iron in our blood, every atom in our bodies crafted in the kiln of long-dead stars. You. Me.
Those we’ve never met, might never know, in cities and towns we’ve only read the names of — kids playing soccer barefoot in the streets of Rio, a girl riding her bike to school in Accra, even the boy in Orion, Alabama gazing up at the spattered canvas of night — all of us plaited together by stars.
On starry nights mothers, fathers, friends we’ve lost wink at us.
We are made of stars, we dazzle.
ABOUT GEORGIA
When Georgia Heard’s father left home for the Vietnam War, the then 8-year-old used poetry to express her mixed feelings about it. “Poetry gave me clarity,” says the North Palm Beach resident. “When I watched news of the war on TV, I was afraid that my father wouldn’t come home alive. It was difficult to talk about what I was feeling so I started writing instead.”
She earned a Master of Fine Arts in poetry from Columbia University and subsequently published 19 poetry collections for children and adults. Her newest adult collection, A Field Guide to the Heart, will be published this summer.
Heard has given seminars, workshops, and keynotes on writing and poetry in schools and universities all over the world. She also leads online poetry writing workshops through The Poet’s Studio (visit georgiaheard.com for details) and has been a regular at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival and the Poetry-by-the-Sea event at Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa. Through these avenues, the award-winning author helps others use poetry as a tool to endure their own hardships.
“When we don’t pay attention to our inner lives, we become empty,” says Heard. “Poetry can help us nourish that inner space even though sometimes it’s not easy to do. People are often intimidated by poetry because of the way it has been taught, but I believe everyone starts out as a poet. It’s one of our greatest tools for living.”
“Think and Think Again” By Joe Banfi
Darkness and solitude, a long drive, DURGA GARCIA a cup of coffee, flashes of lightning on the horizon from a passing storm. I am thinking –“Maybe a quiet night to conclude my long waking hours.” This silence, the long hours I have come to embrace, A familiarity has grown out of what I used to dread. “How odd,” I think. “Why did I have disdain for what I did not know?” Why Worry, I’d much rather Wonder. “Forgotten” By Christie Page
I found myself pressed between The pages of your book, like a rose A thing of beauty that you once
Treasured so
And I waited for your hands, your fingers To find their way
A casual caress down my faded blade Hardened with your abandon Once vibrant, color drained Between forgotten pages, I prayed. “I can’t unlove you” So I remain.
ABOUT JOE ABOUT CHRISTIE
Stuart resident and retired city In 2015, after spending more than planner Joe Banfi never set out to 20 years working in the medical field, write poetry. Rather, he says, the Port St. Lucie resident Christie Page words just came to him. “I was decided it was time to turn the hobby drawn to poetry spontaneously, she’d embraced since childhood into without any reason or explanation,” a career. Since then, the poet and he says of the passion he discov- author has had her work published ered more than 50 years ago. “The words came and fell on paper. It was pure freedom of expression DAVID BANFI in numerous journals and magazines and has been a regular at ArtsFest in Stuart, where she won the ArtsFest Literary Award in 2017 and 2018. without boundaries or rules.” “Poetry has the ability to show that there is beauty in everything—
Others quickly took note of his talents. Recalls Banfi: “The best com- misery, love, loss, grief, elation, and happiness,” she says of her craft, pliment I have ever received was from an English professor who said, ‘Joe, which she hones through writing workshops throughout South Florida. you have a unique and interesting way with words.’” Yet he has never felt “It’s a secret world where writers can insert themselves into the work of inclined to publish his work. “It’s strictly a hobby meant for self-reflection another and interpret it in any way.” and entertainment,” he says of his poetry, which covers a wide range of Page has also learned that her current profession, much like her last, topics, from human nature to physical nature. “I hope my poetry evokes has the power to heal. “Poetry can be a powerful tool in overcoming feelings and thoughts from the depths of the human soul.” any situation,” she says. “Writing is therapy, and it’s never too late to
He does share his prose publicly at two monthly poetry events: Howl begin a new chapter in your story. We don’t have to carry the itinerary at the Moon Writers’ Jam in Stuart and Performance Poets of the Palm of our past into the future. We can move forward, unburdened, into our Beaches, typically held in Lake Worth but currently taking place online. destiny if we are just willing to be vulnerable enough.” ❖
EVAN SNOW
LOCAL Events
4 ways to explore the art of poetry
Howl at the Moon Writers’ Jam
Share your stories, poetry, or music at the open mic every third Thursday. 901 Hub, 901 SE Johnson Ave., Stuart; howlatthemoonwriters.com
Poetic Persuasion
A night of poetry and live music takes place the first Friday of every month. 3224 S. U.S. Hwy. 1, Fort Pierce; facebook.com/ poeticpersuasionfl
Writers LIVE! 2021: Safia Elhillo
The Palm Beach County Library System will host a digital discussion with poet and novelist Safia Elhillo, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Registration required; pbclibrary.org/ writers-live-2021
Performance Poets of the Palm Beaches
Virtual open mic sessions every month (dates posted on Facebook). facebook.com/ performancepoetsofthepalmbeaches
