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SATURDAY POETRY PENPALS #3 – DIVERSITY @ 11 am 6/27/20
Category: Free Posts
Cupertino Rotary Poetry Contest Winners
Congratulations on the outstanding poems!
The Cupertino Rotary Poetry Contest Winning Poems can be viewed at the below link:
https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3794/Stories/poetry-contest-winners-1
SATURDAY POETRY PENPALS #2 – A Mother’s Day Tribute Poems
MAY 9TH, 2020
CUPERTINO POETRY SLAM
Thank you, Cupertino!
My term ends at the close of February, and it’s with both great joy and sadness that I leave the position of Cupertino Poet Laureate. Joy because I’ve had the privilege of celebrating creativity with hundreds of community members in workshops and open mics, at speaking engagements and public events, and in small gatherings of creative-minded people. Sadness because I will miss these CPL programs and contacts.
Although my time as CPL has come to an end, my work of igniting the creative fires in the community is just beginning. Beginning in March with a workshop at World Poetry Day Festival and continuing into April with four different offerings in honor of National Poetry Month, I hope to see you all at different programs and events in the months and years to come.
One of the things I’m most proud to have accomplished as Cupertino Poet Laureate is the community anthology, Celebrate Creativity. This book is a beautiful collection of voices from Cupertino and Silicon Valley, and it shares over 80 unique experiences through poetry and prose.
It was a true labor of love to produce this book, but it was well worth the effort. Please come out on April 23 at 7 PM to the Cupertino Library to hear contributors read selected works and for the dedication of community copies to the library system. I’ll be signing copies of the book as will the contributors in attendance, so bring your copy to have it autographed by our local creatives!
To view or purchase your copy of Celebrate Creativity: A Cupertino Community Anthology, please click here.
I look forward to joining you all in celebrating creativity with our new Cupertino Poet Laureate, Jing Jing Yang. I am excited about what Jing Jing’s passion for poetry and the CPL program will bring to our town. Check out the photos below from last night’s Farewell Kaecey, Book Launch, and Welcome Jing Jing Celebration.
Do you have photos from last night? Please share them with me here! I am missing photos from my events, and I’d love to have more to cherish the memories. I will add them to the carousel!
Until we meet again, don’t be a stranger! Connect with me on Facebook or join my email list to stay up-to-date on my latest programs and creativity offerings. As always, please send me your creative works, thoughts, and questions — I love engaging with everyone, and that includes you!
With warmth and spirit,
ATTENTION ANTHOLOGY CONTRIBUTORS!
This message is for all ANTHOLOGY CONTRIBUTORS!
Yesterday (Friday 2/28) I sent an important email with information about pre-orders for contributor copies of the anthology.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOLDERS! ORDERS ARE DUE BY 2/15/2020!
If you have checked and can’t find the email, please message me via email.
Thanks!
Local Poetry Contest!
Winter at Filoli Haiku Contest
Haiku poets and those new to the haiku form are invited to submit up to three original poems that reflect the beauty of Filoli’s garden in winter. Haiku must be in the 5-7-5 format.
Entries should be submitted by February 15, 2020, at 12:00 pm.
Finalists will be announced on February 19 and invited to a special event at Filoli on March 1, where the winners will be announced. Judging the contest will be San Mateo County Poet Laureate, Aileen Cassinetto. Winners will have the opportunity to read their haiku at the event. Prizes for First, Second and Best under 18 under years old will include free Filoli membership for the year and more.
Please click here for the guidelines and submission form.
Good luck!
Anthology Update!
I’ve been busy at work, compiling and editing poetry and prose for the Cupertino community anthology, Celebrate Creativity. The book is over 300 pages of poetry and prose from local poets and writers. It’s been an honor to compile this beautiful collection of community voices.
The book’s release date is set for February 27, 2020.
On this day, we’ll celebrate with a launch party at the Quinlan Center in Cupertino from 7pm – 9pm. This will also be the date we celebrate the end of my term as Poet Laureate and welcome the next Cupertino Poet Laureate.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us at this fun-filled event! (More details to come in January.)
Celebrate Creativity will be available in both Kindle e-book and paperback.
The Kindle version is available for pre-order effective today. If you select this option, the book will automatically arrive on your Kindle on the release date. Paperback copies of the book will be available to order from Amazon on February 27, 2020. While you cannot pre-order the paperback, I will update if the release date moves up.
In the meantime, enjoy the winter holidays and have a wonderful and safe New Year!
The poetry of winter nights and holidays
Last night, I hosted my final Community Poetry Night as Cupertino Poet Laureate. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to celebrate creativity with an amazing community.
What a true gift I have received from all of you. Thank you.
If you weren’t able to join us last night, you missed a beautiful gathering of community
members, poets, and poetry supporters. Like my heart, the room was full.
Standing-room only is a wonderful problem to have at any poetry event!
I began the evening with a discussion of the poetry of winter and the holidays, and we were then treated to the soulful works of our invited readers and the poems of community members who shared during open mic.
If you took pictures, please share them with me! As the person at the front of the room, I rarely get the opportunity to snap photos of my events!
I left the event on a true poet’s high, excited for the new season that’s about to arrive. Those who shared their work provided me with inspiration and food for contemplation. I left with the message to be on the lookout for poetry in unexpected places this winter and holiday.
I will miss serving as Poet Laureate. But my work in the community is not over. I will celebrate creativity and the deep well of creative genius that resides in us all with my continued work teaching and coaching in the community.
If you’re interested in joining me at a future event, sign up for my newsletter!
Below is a list with links to the poems I shared last night. Do you have a favorite winter or holiday poem? Please share it with us in the comments!
Again, thank you to those who came out to celebrate in community with me last night.
And although my term won’t end until early in 2020, I want to thank you for making serving as CPL one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Winter and Holiday Poetry Reading List
- The Snow Fairy (Claude McKay)
- White-Eyes (Mary Oliver)
- Dust of Snow (Robert Frost)
- The Snow Man (Wallace Stevens)
- Winter Solstice Chant (Annie Finch)
- Chanukah Lights Tonight (Steven Schneider)
- The House of Christmas (GK Chesterton)
PS — If you love poetry and the Cupertino community, consider applying to be the next Cupertino Poet Laureate! Applications are due January 10, 2020, by 5pm. Email me for more information or click here to apply!
Calling Cupertino Poets! Are You The Next Poet Laureate?
If you’re passionate about poetry and live or work in Cupertino, California, consider applying to be the City’s 6th Poet Laureate!
Feel free to email me for more information about what it’s like to serve as Cupertino Poet Laureate, and be sure to visit the City’s program page, which has information on the application process.
I’ve copied the page below. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE 1/10/2020!
From https://www.cupertino.org/residents/arts-and-culture/cupertino-poet-laureate
Celebrate Creativity
Apply to Become Cupertino’s Poet Laureate
Our Vision:
The Cupertino Poet Laureate program will stimulate cultural and literary awareness in Cupertino; introduce youth and adults to the personal and community benefits of poetry both as personal reflection and as a reflection of our history and culture; reveal, recognize, and engage literary talent residing in our community; and promote our library as a cultural center in Cupertino.
Our Mission:
To provide the residents of Cupertino with programs, workshops, and events that introduce and reinforce poetry as an enriching cultural artform open and accessible to all.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness of poetry as a viable cultural art form for Cupertino residents, as
measured by media presence, event variety, and increasing participation. - Build interest in the various poetry forms, as measured by event and workshop
participation. - Build a desire for residents to be involved in further art and cultural activities.
- Increase active participation in all art forms, especially poetry, by all ages and
ethnic communities who form the rich fabric of Cupertino as measured by
offerings and involvement.
About the Position:
The Cupertino Poet Laureate is an honorary, volunteer position sponsored by the City of Cupertino and seated in the Cupertino Library. Sponsors and support networks include the Cupertino Library Commission, Friends of the Cupertino Library, and the Cupertino Library Foundation.
The Poet Laureate is a practicing poet with professional recognition and a talent for performance. The Poet Laureate is expected to host public events that promote the literary arts in our community and inspire creativity in all residents. Such events might include poetry contests, writing workshops, lectures, and public readings.
Each Poet Laureate brings a unique set of skills, attributes and interests to the position
along with varied and unique approaches to poetry. It is preferred that the Cupertino
Poet Laureate (CPL) come to the position with a willingness and experience in:
- Planning
- Budgeting/Fiscal Management
- Scheduling
- Writing
- Marketing
- Teaching/Facilitating
- Speaking
- Social Media
To apply, please submit the application (link above) and required attachments
to the Cupertino Poet Laureate Selection Committee at 10185 N. Stelling Rd.
Cupertino, CA 95014 or by e-mail to PoetLaureate@cupertino.org by
5:00pm, January 10, 2020.
Cupertino Poet Laureate 