Gemini Ink--April--First Friday

First Friday Reading

When: Friday, April 04 2008, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

What: Celebrate National Poetry Month with readings by poets Susan Briante and Farid Matuk and nonfiction writer and NPR commentator Marion Winik.

Where: Gemini Ink 513, S. Presa

For more information: Call 210.734.9673, or visit www.geminiink.org
Event is free and open to the public.

Reyna Grande Update

I was catching up on some reading this morning and came across my March/April (yes, I'm that far behind!) copy of Poets & Writers Magazine. In the "Recent Winners" section, I was very delighted to read that an old friend of the Society, Reyna Grande, was one of five writers who received the American Book Awards from the "Before Columbus Foundation"for books published in 2007. Reyna received the award for her book, "Across a Hundred Mountains."

I have room for one more person who may be interested in reading at"Cinco Minutos with You," during our April meeting. Please send me an email if you're interested.

OLLU 2008 Literary Festival

If you're looking for a quick link to a webpage highlighting all the events happening at Our Lady of the Lake University's 2008 Literary Festival--Click Here

Letter to Your Younger Self Contest

I received the following email from Lupe Gonzalez, our Vice President, and I would like to share it with you:

Hi Vince,

Received this notice of this contest from Cynthia Sterling's newsletter. Please give credit to her and also put this at the bottom of the item - Anyone can sign up by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

I remembered that Martha Curcio wrote a letter to her 15-year-old self and a lot of people liked that idea. Maybe they'll be inspired to try this here. The prize is a trip to New York for three people, have their pic taken at the magazine and their story featured. Thanks, Lupe

Marie Claire magazine and Crocs are challenging you to Write a Letter to Your Younger Self. Limit your letter to 500 words or less and send it in by April 17. First prize is a trip to New York to be featured in Marie Claire magazine. More info is available at http://tinyurl.com/39bekm

National Poetry Month Events

Here's a planning calendar for National Poetry Month that begins April 1:

A Calendar of Events in Celebration of National Poetry Month throughout
San Antonio and the Environs (with revisions as of 3/08)

Sunday March 30
2 PM Roberto Bonazzi and Paul Christensen
Barnes & Noble / San Pedro Crossing

Monday March 31
JUST WORDS/PALABRAS DE JUSTICIA
Our Lady of the Lake University’s Annual Literary Festival
March 31 – April 6
For more information about all of the
Our Lady of the Lake events, call
Patty Constantin 434-6711 ext 2373
2-4 PM Writers of the Lake Open Mic
The Weight of Words: Writing for Social Justice
Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) / Providence Hall - Blue Room

7 PM readings by authors / slides of artists represented in
Art at Our Doorstep: San Antonio Writers and Artists
Trinity University Press
Host: Steven G. Kellman
Featured readers: Rolando Hinojosa Smith, Wendy Barker,
Jan Jarboe Russell, Evangelina Vigil-Pinon, Olga Samples Davis
OLLU / Providence Hall - West Social Room

Tuesday April 1

Knock Knock Jokes and Limericks
You’re on your own. Everyone – begin the day
at home, at work, at meetings, on the phone -
with a knock knock joke or a limerick – poetry as
active play with words! ENJOY!

4 PM Mujeres Writing Group
Social Justice: Women’s Passion for Change
OLLU / Providence Hall -Blue Room

7 PM Readings by Naomi Shihab Nye and Pamela Johnston
OLLU / Providence Hall - West Social Room

7 PM Poetry Month in Leon Valley – a Mayoral Proclamation and
reading of “The Unknown Citizen” by W. H. Auden
Leon Valley City Hall
For information on all Leon Valley events contact
Leon Valley Public Library / 6425 Evers
Joyce Trent 684-0720

Wednesday April 2

4 PM Publication party for The Thing Itself (OLLU Literary Journal)
OLLU / Library Community Room

7 PM reading by fiction writer Ernest Gaines
OLLU / Library Community Room

Thursday April 3

Noon Favorite Poem Project
OLLU / Providence Hall -Blue Room

Exhibit of the work of Austin Book Artists

April 3-May 31
Stonemetal Press

4 PM Dramatic Reader’s Theatre production based on
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines
OLLU / Library Community Room

4 PM Kids Poetry Party & Poetry Path
Bihl Haus Arts
Organized by Jesse Castro (Earth House / 659-5935) and
For more information about this and other Bihl Haus Arts
events:
www.bihlhausarts.org
or call: Kellen Kee McIntyre 383-9723

Friday April 4

9:45 AM High School Outreach Program: Panel on Hispanic Literature
Moderator: Pablo Miguel Martinez
Panel includes: Ray Santisteban, Norma Ellen Cantu,
John Phillip Santos

OLLU / Thiry Auditorium

Noon Writing as a Tool for social Change with Paul Loeb
OLLU University Wellness & Activities Center

1 PM Sandra Cisneros reading and Q & A
OLLU / Thiry Auditorium

6:30 PM First Friday Reading
Poets Susan Briante and Farid Matuk, non-fiction
Writer Marion Winik
Gemini INK

7 PM Hope for the Long Haul / by author Paul Loeb
OLLU / Chapel Auditorium

7 PM Preview: “I Have Walked this Path Before”
by Jesse Castro – real people wearing the poetry
Bihl Haus Arts
Jesse writes: “I wanted to put a book together
this year, different from the usual format. I wrote the poetry
out by hand on articles of clothing. The clothes are worn, giving the
poetry the added dimension of movement and mobility. Each
participant is wearing a page from the book, literally.
This is a preview of the book. Watch for these live poems walking
at different events during April – National Poetry Month, and then
again in July for Contemporary Art Month.

7:30 PM A Beat Poets Dinner / Potluck
Flow of consciousness open reading
For further information call
Jesse Castro 659-5935
Kellen Kee McIntyre 383-9723
www.bihlhausarts.org
Bihl Haus Arts

Bring a casserole, a jello salad, a bottle of wine (in a basket?),
fizzies, a Howl, yourself...
Leave pretensions, bias(es), good intentions, naivities, your
innocence, and negative perspectives at home.
Come. Eat. Make new acquaintances. Take part in the Kerouac
flow of consciousness open mic. Show up early. Help set up.
Stay after. Help clean up.

Saturday April 5

9 AM Birding Tour followed by

11 AM Words for Birds: An Open Reading
of poetry and prose about nature and
the environment
Readers include: Naomi Nye, Jim LaVilla-Havelin, John Brantley,
Jenny Browne, Ignacio Magaloni, Mobi Warren, Cyra Dumitru,
Martha K. Grant, Veronica Gard
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
For further information call:
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center: Susan Albert 628-1639
Or Jim LaVilla-Havelin 224-1848

9:30 AM Teachers & Communities Collaborating for Change
with Paul Loeb
OLLU / Chapel Auditorium

10:30 AM Awaken the Sleeping Poet – students reading
1:30 PM Awaken the Sleeping Poet – adults reading (includes college
students)
San Antonio Museum of Art
For information about this event –
Society of Latino & Hispanic Writers of San Antonio
Laurel Crown Foundation (info@laurelcrown.org)

2 PM Reading from Native Soil: Poems from South Texas Poets
School by the River Press
Readers include: Roberto Bonazzi, Karen Kelley, Naomi Nye,
John Brantley, Rosemary Catacalos, Jesse Herrera,
Michelle Paulsen

Central Library / Gallery

2 PM Poems for Kids
Central Library / Children’s Division 3rd floor

3 PM Teen Poets from Across the Community
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
For more information call: Vincent Toro at GCAC
271-3151 ext. 26

7 PM Michael Anderson performs “Anarchist Pep Rally”
OLLU / Library Community Room

Exhibit: The Deeper Side: Images & Poetry by
David Drymala
April 5 – May 31
Viva Books

Sunday April 6

8:30 –11:30 AM Haiku Hike with Mobi Warren (14 & up, limited to
6 participants)
Government Canyon
www.friendsofgc.org
11 AM Poetry Brunch on the Patio
Readers include: Naomi Nye, Jim LaVilla-Havelin, Jenny Browne,
Olga Samples Davis, Grito – Grisel and Toro

Green
For more information call:
Green / Mike Behrend 320-5865 or Jim LaVilla-Havelin
224-1848
2 PM Reading
Readers include: John Hammond, Carol Coffee Reposa,
Cyra Dumitru, Felipe Barajas, Olga Samples Davis,
Jim LaVilla-Havelin, Nan Cuba, Bella Merriam,
Sylvia Carrazales, Dan Constantin, Andrea Eskin

The Twig
For more information call The Twig / Dinah Price
826-6411 or Jim LaVilla-Havelin 224-1848

Monday April 7

11AM-1 PM The Lunch Feature with Aaron Prado
on KRTU / 91.7 FM / JAZZ & POETRY
Monday – Friday
(April is Jazz Appreciation Month as well as
National Poetry Month)

6:30 PM “Poetry with Power” reading by visiting
English poet - Agnes Meadows
Bihl Haus Arts

Tuesday April 8

10:30 AM Poetry Story Time – Poetry for Toddlers
Leon Valley Public Library (LVPL)

6:30 PM Poetry Picante / Open Reading
Central Library / Children’s Reading Room 3rd Floor

Wednesday April 9

5 PM Jo LeCoeur reading and signing from
Medicine Woods (published by Pecan Grove)
The Twig

7 PM Poetry Celebration / ACCD Student Poetry
Competition and Guest Readers
San Antonio College / McAllister Auditorium

8 PM Reading by fiction writer Chang Rae Lee
Trinity University / Chapman Auditorium

Thursday April 10
10:30 AM Share Your Poem: Local Poets Invited
LVPL

Saturday April 12

10 AM – 2 PM Poetree and Poetry Path during
Leon Valley Trade & Market Days
LVPL

Tuesday April 15

Copies of “The Wasteland” by T.S. Eliot available for all
taxpayers
LVPL

Sunday April 20
7 PM Reading by Josie Mixon & Dr. Josie Mendez Negrete
and an Open Mic
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center

Monday April 21

7 PM Historical Society of Leon Valley – A Brief History
of the Texas Poet Laureate Program and a Sampling of
their Poetry
LVPL

Tuesday April 22
7 PM Radical Dreamers: Teen Club Annual Open Mic
Henry A. Guerra Jr. Branch Library

Thursday April 24
11 AM Poetry Fiesta – Borderlines in SA
Guest Readers and presentation of the
Trinidad Sanchez Award
Northwest Vista College / Banquet Room in Huisache Hall

Saturday April 26
1 PM Dead Poets Slam – share your favorite poem by a dead poet
LVPL / Porch

Tuesday April 29
6:30 PM screening of SYLVIA (Gwyneth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath)
Cinema Soledad Series
Central Library

Friday May 2 – Sunday May 4
Poetry at Round Top
7th annual festival weekend
readings, workshops, events
speakers include:
Tony Hoagland, Naomi Shihab Nye, Kay Ryan, A. Van Jordan,
Judith Kitchen. Stan Sanvel Rubin, Robert Bonazzi, Jenny Browne,
Ed Madden, Virginia Dupuy

For information about costs, registration:
979-249-3129 Monday-Friday
info@festivalhill.org

OTHER: ongoing poetry in SA – or continuing use as a resource, all of the regular, continuing poetry venues throughout SA. Please get back to us, if we’re missing any regulars
(Jim LaVilla-Havelin / lavhav@earthlink.org)

Weekly
Monday evenings / La Taza Coffee House / open mic
Tuesday evenings / Barnes & Noble San Pedro – 410 / Sun Poet Society
Tuesday evenings / Sam’s Burger Joint / slam
Tuesday evenings / Guadalupe Coffee House / Jazz Poet Society / open mic
Friday evenings / Spoken Word Poetry Meet Up / Winestyles / open mic

Every 2nd Tuesday / Poetry Picante / Central Library
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday / Barnes & Noble Fiesta Trails / open mic
Every 1st Friday /Readings/ Gemini Ink
Every 2nd Saturday / Gallista Gallery / open mike
Every 2nd Sunday / Reading Series / Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center *
(in April reading with be 3rd Sunday, April 20 – Josie Mixon)
Last Thursday of every month / Guest Poets and open mic /
Barnes & Noble Northwood @ 281 & 1604

Regularly
Readings and book signings / Bihl Haus Arts
Readings and book signings / The Twig
Readings and Workshops / Gemini Ink
Weekly in The Current, listings under Words
Fridays in the San Antonio Express-News Weekender
Listings under Words
Sundays in the San Antonio Express-News – Poetry
and Bookmarks (listings)
Other poetry resources locally
The Poet Magazine / www.sapoet.com
Young Pegasus contest

Local presses:

Maverick Publishing
Pecan Grove
River
School by the River
Trinity University Press
Watercress Press
Wings Press

Phone Number/Contacts at Sites / Resources

Bihl Haus Arts / Kellen Kee McIntyre / 383-9723 / www.bihlhuasarts.org
Earth House – Jesse Castro / 659-5935
Green – Mike Behrend / 320-5865
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center / Vincent Toro / 271-3151 ext. 26
Haiku Hike – Mobi Warren / Government Canyon: www.friendsofgc.org
Henry A Guerra Branch Library / Cristiane Yamada-Lokengard / 673-1492
KRTU 91.5 FM Trinity University / Aaron Prado / Listener line 999-8313
Leon Valley Public Library / Joyce Trent / 684-0720
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center / Susan Albert / 628-1639
Northwest Vista College / Ignacio Magaloni / 348-2284
Our Lady of the Lake / Patty Constantin / 434-6711 ext. 2373
San Antonio College / Jane Focht-Hansen / 733-2520
San Antonio Museum of Art / Laurel Crown Foundation /
info@laurelcrown.org
San Antonio Public Library / Central / Stephanie Hatch /207-2500
Children’’s / Vickie Ash
The Poet Magazine / Salome Salter / 748-6011 / www.sapoet.com
The Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers/ Vincent Bosquez / 845-4582 / http://slhwnotes.blogspot.com/
The Steven Stoli Playhouse / 408-0016
Stonemetal Press / 227-0312
The Twig Bookstore / Dinah Price / 826-6411
Trinity University – Events / 999-7011

For the printed poster:
Louanne Rintala – Designer / Jim LaVilla-Havelin, Jesse Castro –
Organizers. Compilers / Printing underwritten by
The Office of Cultural Affairs, City of San Antonio
Thank you! Thank you!

Call or email me if you have any additions, corrections, updates, questions:
Jim LaVilla-Havelin 210/224-1848 (wk) // lavhav@earthlink.net

We have printed 500 copies of a poster with these dates (sans the detail we’ve included in here) which we want to be sure everyone gets, sees, and puts up in prominent places.
The poster will be available after Tuesday March 18, 2008.
Please come pick some up at any of these locations:
Office of Cultural Affairs
The Twig Bookstore
Bihl Haus Arts (only on the weekend)
or from Jim LaVilla-Havelin at the Southwest School of Art & Craft

The Office of Cultural Affairs website – SAHearts – has a cultural calendar – and each organization represented in this poetry calendar should post your events on the website’s calendar. (it links also to the Convention & Visitors Bureau site) The link to input info is right at the top of the page:
http://www.sahearts.com/SAAArtsCalendar/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Keep raulsalinas and Trinidad Sanchez in your hearts, minds, and words!

Message from Martha

The following message is from Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers officer, Martha Curcio:

Era Fiesta en Luminaria. Turistas, locales, artistas, cantantes, caminando juntos, unidos en alegría, sostenida por el recuerdo y el espíritu vivo y presente de nuestros queridos poetas, escritores y artistas. Algunos de ellos se han adelantado, pero se sentía su presencia correteando juguetona, susurrando al oído de nuestras musas, aconsejándoles que nos lleven de la mano, para que se escuche la voz de nuestros corazones latir al compás de los que vibran y saben que es posible volver realidad nuestros sueños y tener un mundo mejor.

Gracias a todos esos artistas, escritores y poetas, que aún sin conocerlos han tocado nuestras vidas. Gracias especialmente a Trinidad Sanchez Jr. que con su alegría y determinación, inspiro y sigue inspirando a muchas personas.
Viva San Antonio!

Gemini Ink First Friday

Gemini Ink
First Friday Reading
When: Friday, April 04 2008, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
What: Celebrate National Poetry Month with readings by poets Susan Briante and Farid Matuk and nonfiction writer and NPR commentator Marion Winik.
Where: Gemini Ink 513, S. Presa
For more information: Call 210.734.9673, or visit www.geminiink.org

Event is free and open to the public.

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center Events

Esperanza Peace & Justice Center

922 San Pedro

Mujeres Presentes:

////////////////////////////

Betita Martinez:

500 Years of Chicana Women's History

March 19 at 7 p.m.

Copies of book will be available for signing!

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Poetry Night:

Let These Words Be My Weapon

March 20 at 7 p.m.

Local poets/writers speak out against war and violence

Poetry Workshop: Wednesday

Here's another photo from the March 8 event at Viva Bookstore! According to Sandy Garcia (L), this photo has Janie Alonso, Martha, Gabby, and Josie Mixon in it. The girl next to Janie is named Laura Marie and is the daughter of Virginia Valenzuela. She sang for us at this event. This girl can sing. She has a voice that would blow you away. Her CD is very soothing and easy to listen to. She is true talent.

The following invitation is from Jim Brandenburg, editor of "The Poet Magazine."

We would like to invite you for our special event at Barnes and Noble Fiesta Trails this Wednesday (March 19). We will have a small circle of poets from 6 to 7 PM. This is a feedback session on your work. Bring four or five copies of a piece that you would like to receive some feedback on. From 7 to 9 PM we are featuring the work of Carol Hoorman, who will display some of her paintings and explain the symbolism behind her new series of enigmatic cowgirls, "21st Century Cowgirl," and Mary Virginia Pittman Waller (known as MVP), wildlife photographer and scientific conversation researcher, who will display her photographs from Kenya, Africa, and from the Arctic Circle. MVP also spearheads The Wounded Warrior Project. Join us for a very special evening at Barnes and Noble.

Luminaria Update

Poet Marian Haddad sends us the following messages:

FRIEND AND FAM:

I'm sure you've heard, on Texas Public Radio and additional media venues, about the Luminaria downtown-event this Saturday.

There is no entry fee. There will be cash bars available and food vendors throughout the entire performance area which will be in varied areas downtown. There will be artists from nearly every genre imaginable performing or reading. SO MUCH GOING ON, you will WANT TO BE THERE.

In an inside venue, inside the Hyatt Conference Center (not the Hyatt Hotel) . . . [the Hyatt Conference Center is located between Losoya and Alamo Streets. The entry into that stage area and auditorium/performance space is on HOUSTON STREET, so you will be on Houston St (BETWEEN LOSOYA AND ALAMO) if you are interested in hearing the poetry readings and many musical performances:

The schedule for this stage stands as:

6:00-6:40 MUSIC MOMBASA CODE (DADA WORLD)
6:40-7:00 POETS MARIAN HADDAD/BEVERLY MONESTIER
7:00-7:40 MUSIC MWENDO DRUMMERS (AFRO-BRAZILLIAN)
7:40-8:00 POETS BRYCE MILLIGAN/CARMEN TAFOLLA
8:00-8:50 MUSIC ERIC RIVAS 11:11 (JAZZ)
8:50-9:00 POET BEN JUDSON
9:00-9:50 MUSIC ERIC RIVAS 11:11 (JAZZ)
9:50-10:00 POET TREY MOORE
10:00-11:00 MUSIC HYPER BUBBLE (ELECTRO POP)
11:00-12:00 MUSIC N'BLACK OASIS (INDUSTRIAL SPINNING)


MESSAGE FROM TEXAS PUBLIC RADIO!

Texas Public Radio’s KSTX 89.1 FM is partnering with KRTU 91.7 FM and KSYM 90.1 FM for an evening of live music, poetry and visual art in support of Luminaria, a city-funded, community-backed initiative celebrating San Antonio's world-class artistic heritage on Saturday, March 15.

This combined effort of the city's public radio stations, to be held at the Hyatt Conference Center on Houston Street, between Losoya and Alamo, will feature live music that reflects the voice of each station. Texas Public Radio will highlight world music from the Mwendo Drummers and Mombasa Code, followed by Eric Rivas 11:11 from Trinity University's KRTU and the band Hyper Bubble and N'Black Oasis industrial spins from San Antonio College's KSYM. In between the musical acts, local poets, including Marian Haddad, Bryce Milligan and Carmen Tafolla, will read their work.

Occurring concurrently with these live performances will be a visual art exhibit by nationally and internationally recognized artists Gary Sweeney, Chuck Ramirez and Katie Pell, who, in addition to showing her work, will unveil the latest in TPR's artist-designed T-shirt series.

Luminarias

I received the message below from Regina Chavez y Sanchez and P.C. McKinnon:

Hello Friends.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR POET/WRITER FRIENDS.

I'm working with a great committee on the Luminarias event - a poets/writers section we're calling The Writers Block. http://www.luminariasa.com/articles/category/general-info/page/2 Here's the scoop:

Our block of time is this Saturday, March 15, from 6 p.m.-12 midnight at/near the intersection of Broadway and Houston Streets Downtown.

We're organizing around three stages.

Recuerdos - A stage devoted to our poetry ancestors and friends who have passed on. Imagine this - an stage with an altar including papel picado, recuerdos, an image of La Virgen, blown up images of the poets/writers, and video loops of our legendary friends projected onto a screen, or heard from CSs. A music stand and a silent microphone will be symbolically be placed on the stage. A few poets/writers mentioned to be honored are: Gloria Anzaldua, Trinidad Sanchez Jr., raulrsalinas, Sterling Houston, Ricardo Sanchez, Jose Montalvo, and others. NEEDS: DVDs/CDs of the poets being honored. Memorabilia and other altar items (NO ORIGINALS). We need people to help load, unload, and set up. Donations of flowers, papel picado, etc. are needed, as well. Call or e-mail Victoria Garcia at 836-7648 victoria.s.garcia@sanantonio.gov.

Performance - A stage for poets to continuously read their work. A row of luminarias (albeit electric) will be lined up behind the stage to coincide with the Recuerdos stage. The idea is to begin each hour (about 15 minutes) by recognizing dearly departed poets/writers. The hours will be filled out by poets signing up to read open mic. Readers should understand that they will be reading to a street festival audience with a lot of potential activity. NEEDS: Performers. Please fill in the attached form and send it form and fax it to Victoria Garcia, FAX 228-0263.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS E-MAIL WIDELY TO POETS/WRITERS YOU THINK MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN PERFORMING AND/OR HONORING A DECEASED POET/WRITER.

Interactive Stage - An area where workshops/ongoing lessons/mini-courses will occur and people will be able to write poetry. NEEDS: People to give the lessons, workshops, whatever comes to mind - think of something fun/strange/crazy. E-mail me to pitch your ideas.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Santiago

Monday's Meeting

Thank you to everyone who made it to Monday's meeting featuring Jackie Mendez and Josie Mixon! The two authors brought to our attention their unique perspectives on writing and their motivation for writing. I hope everyone was able to come away with something they can use in the future.

Above you will see a photo of our Society's event organizer, Sandy Garcia, at the Women’s Art Show Celebrating "The Art of Being a Woman With Music, Art and Poetry" that was held on Saturday at Viva Bookstore. Along with being a writer, Sandy is also an artist. The art work in the photo is hers!

Earlier this afternoon I received an email from Geraldo Rivera regarding the book review I wrote on his book which appeared in Sunday's Express-News. I have to admit, it was quite a thrill to receive it!

Book Review

I have received some comments regarding my review of Geraldo Rivera's new book in yesterday's Express-News. In case you missed it, here it is: HIS PANIC

On Poetry

The following article is by Jose Cabarallo. In it, he offers his advice to writing poetry.

Para gusto los colores.

Como para gustos se hicieron los colores así mismo son los poemas. Los estilos y formas se usan para clasificar los poemas ejemplos son; concretos, románticos, creacionistas, urbanos y si seguimos buscando, más patas le encontraremos. Cada aspirante a poeta debe definir su gusto y enfatizar en sus escritos su propio estilo, debe ser real y que fluya naturalmente de su conciencia poética.

Podemos ser poetas románticos y sentir el deseo de explorar otra metodología, pues bien hazlo pero recordando reglas establecidas por las escuelas poéticas ya definidas. Si no puedes someterte a las licencias poéticas establecidas cientos de años atrás haz como yo considérate poeta urbano moderno.

La poesía moderna urbana no es limitada por reglas, no es como en la poesía clásica donde los poemas son simétricos y exigen rima y retórica definida entre las terminaciones de los versos. No hay nada malo en tratar de usar rima y métrica poética si no te importa la terminación de tus versos, el problema radica en que tu vocabulario debe se muy amplio y diversificado, de lo contrario todo tu poema acabaran igual , ejemplo canción, pasión, amor, dolor , yo se que los jóvenes poetas modernos pueden ser mas espontáneos y diversos, esto se obtiene leyendo y practicando versos especialmente los asimétricos...

Cuando hagamos un poema léelo en voz alta y míralo gramaticalmente, cuidado con la (y) ies ,los tu los yo (se le dice muletillas) puedes ser personal pero no te identifiques tanto con tu poema que ya no pueda ser usado por nadie mas.

Piensa a quien va dirigido tu poema, tus palabras son suaves o toscas, eres tan personal en tu poema que lo único que te falto fue el numero de teléfonico, acuérdete el poema debe ser recibido por todos... Cuidado cuando tu poema tenga la tendencia a ser largo y monótono, reduciéndolo solo a expresar redundancia de sentimientos y visiones personales.

En la poesía antigua, el ritmo se conseguía en cada verso repitiendo el mismo sonido al principio de tres palabras y en la poesía occidental, se consideraba que había verso si existía una repetición (rima) al final de cada verso y cierto ritmo fijo en la acentuación de determinadas sílabas.

Aquí doy de ejemplos y sin limitaciones a dos grandes poetas: uno de la escuela creacionista Vicente Huidobro, y el otro de la romántica realista, Enrique Gonzalez Martinez ambos juegan un papel fundamental en la historia de la poesia, todos sus escritos tornaron y desarrollaron el mundo del la poesia llenandolo de visiones nuevas. Todo se resume en que escribieron poemas en un mundo antiguo rompiendo las reglas establecidas en su tiempo, estos son clasificados como poetas de realidad creada.

Todos los géneros y estilos de escritura poética con el tiempo llegan a hacer aceptados poco a poco por los críticos y por los lectores, pues como ya establecí para gusto se hicieron los colores...

Yo no soy fanático de ningún poeta por asi decir, leo a muchos y me encantan algunos poemas de Marti,Vallejo, Neruda, Felipe León y así por el estilo, pero no me aferro a ellos pues todo pasa de moda y lo que hoy es muy aceptable mañana es obsoleto.

Lo que quiero decir que aun así hay temas inmortales; universales por así decirlo, como el amor, la familia y el sufrimiento humano. Esto nunca pasa de moda, cuando exhibimos al mundo un poema nuevo lleno de originalidad y lejos de las reglas establecidas proporcionamos una herramienta de expresión singular y difícil de igualar.

Como poetas debemos hacer obras sencillas que apelen al lector por su sinceridad, enfatizando nuestros deseos de buscar cambios sociales y emocionales creando conciencia desatando este mundo dominado por la avaricia, la monotonía y el sufrimiento. A quien le importa si dicen que los poetas vivimos en un mundo inalcanzable paralelo a la realidad.

Como poeta desborda tus ideas sin comprometer tu moral, no cambies tu estilo solo mejora tu ortografía y composición, maneja las palabras con dulzura, evita las redundancias poéticas, incita a tus lectores a realizar un cambio profundo; que empiecen a ver el mundo a través de tus ojos poéticos. Usa para tu engrandecimiento personal los versos, acuérdate tus palabras son la concepción de un mundo irreal.

Todas estas características y otras mas se pueden ligar creando tu propio estilo poético, solo se tu mismo, aunque no te rijas por ninguna regla anteriormente utilizada.

Tus ideas deben ser plantadas en cada nuevo poema para que alcances tu potencial. Así no tendrás que imitar a Neruda, Vallejos o cualquiera sea su héroe poético. Tu poema entones podrá plantear de manera perfecta tus realidades, tu ideas seran la muestra de tus propias técnicas vanguardistas, introduce al mundo tus poemas, tus ideas juegan el papel central, escribe plasma se original no vulgar, deja volar la imaginación se tu mismo... suerte hermanos poetas... Por José Caraballlo a los poetas jóvenes.

Monday's Meeting

Please make time to attend our monthly meeting this Monday, March 10, at the Barnes and Noble, San Pedro Crossing at 7:30 p.m. As usual, the meeting is free and open to the public--invite everyone you know to attend!

This meeting will feature Jacqueline Mendez, who will be speaking on the following topics: Finding you inner Muse; Reject Rejections; and Resources for Writers. She will also be reading to us from her recently published work.

Also on tap to appear at the meeting and speak to us is one of San Antonio's most active promoters of poetry: Josie Mixon! Josie is also a strong advocate for Women's rights and social issues, and she will spend a few minutes speaking to us about poetry, specifically The Poet Magazine.

Don't forget, next month's meeting is our much anticipated "Cinco Minutos with You!" I'm looking for 10 members to read up to 5 minutes (five minutes max, please!) of their work in progress. Email and let me know if you would like to participate.

Also, don't forget:

Women’s Art Show Celebrating
The Art of Being a Woman
With Music, Art and PoetryMarch 08, 2008
From 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Viva Bookstore8407 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
210-826-1143

Featuring local artists: Janie Alonso, Mary Lou Barrera, Maria Gabriela Madrid, Martha Curcio, Sylvie Rodgers, Carolyn Sanchez, Sandra Garcia, Dolores Zapata Murff, Liliana Lovisa, Deborah Keller-Rihn, Loretta Lotz, Joyce Stache, Wendy J. St. Christopher, Isela Tavera, Paulette Pilsner, Cynthia Huddleston, Anel I. Flores and Josie Mixon

Music by Laura Marie

For more information contact Josie at gdmrngbtfl@yahoo.com

Hispanics win big at Book Critics Circle Awards

Dominican-American Junot Diaz took the top fiction prize for "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," and Edwidge Danticat of Haiti won in the autobiography category for "Brother, I'm Dying" at the National Book Critics Circle Awards in New York last night.

For more, please click on MSNBC.

Request for Conjunto Stories

My colleague, Juan Tejeda, is putting together this year's 27th annual Tejano Conjunto Festival which will be held May 7-10, here in San Antonio.

Juan tells me he is looking for literature regarding Conjunto to place in the event's program. If you have an article, short story, essay, or poem on Conjunto, please send it to Juan for consideration. Tell him I sent you!

Send your item as an attachment to Juan at juantejeda@sbcglobal.net

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Event

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center presents

SASS!
(San Antonio Second Sundays)
Sunday, March 9th @ 7 p.m.

featuring

The Encuentros de Mujeres Writers Group
From Our Lady of the Lake University

hosted by
GRITO
(Grisel and Toro)

SASS is a poetry and performance series with open mic
Held the second Sunday of every month at the Guadalupe Theater
Come hear the words of these amazing women and
Bring a piece of your own to read/perform/sing

1301 Guadalupe Street
(210) 271-3151

$5 suggested donation

Writing Contest

Once again, the fabulous Marcela Landres has sent us notices on writing opportunities that may be of interest to our Society members.

Here are a few:

TIN HOUSE SUMMER WRITERS WORKSHOP Scholarship Application Deadline: March 15 Workshop Dates: July 13 -20 The workshop features seminars, readings, meetings with agents and editors, and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Participating authors include Dorothy Allison, Steve Almond, and Colson Whitehead, among others. For more information, visit http://www.tinhouse.com/workshop/

ESSAY PRIZE Deadline: March 17The Arts & Letters Journal of Contemporary Culture offers publication and a $1000 prize. For more information, visit http://al.gcsu.edu/

ALTA NATIONAL TRANSLATION AWARD Deadline: March 31 A prize of $2,500 is given to a translator whose work has made a valuable contribution to literary translation in the previous year. Publishers may submit book-length translations of poetry, fiction, drama, and creative nonfiction. For more information, visit http://www.utdallas.edu/alta/

CHAPBOOK CONTEST Deadline: April 1 Diagram Journal offers a prize of $1000, publication by New Michigan Press, and 25 author copies for a chapbook-length collection of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or mixed-genre work. For more information, visit
http://thediagram.com/contest.html

KEROUAC WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Deadline: April 30 The Kerouac Project offers residencies at the historic home of Jack Kerouac to writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. For more information, visithttp://kerouacproject.org/

Please take a moment to view Marcela's website at: http://www.marcelalandres.com/