WAUKESHA – On Wednesday, April 21, The Poetry People, a group of local Wisconsin poets, will celebrate National Poetry Month (April) in the best way they know. They will read their writings at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha at 7:30 p.m. in the student lounge in the Commons, 1500 N. University Dr., Waukesha.
The presentation is part of the Visions & Expressions series sponsored by the campus University Convocations Committee and is open to the public at no charge.
The Poetry People met in a poetry workshop taught at UW-Waukesha by Phil Zweifel, associate professor of English and associate dean, and formed a performance troupe. Since April, 1997, they have appeared occasionally at venues in Waukesha, Oconomowoc, and Brookfield.
Each member brings a different life story to poetry-writing. Many are members of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, and all are eager to share their joy of poetry with an audience.
Ten of the 14 affiliated poets expect to read at the performance April 21, and another poet in their group, who will not be reading, will introduce them. They are:
Paula D. Anderson, Wales, has had her work appear in many literary magazines, such as Plainsongs, Fox Cry Review, Free Verse, and the Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. She is the author of Electrified Hair: Epigrammatic Poetry and a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
Barbara Bache-Wiig, Waukesha, retired from speech/language pathology to writing poems. She enjoys combining words, language, and people. Her poems are short, deep, and frequently ironic. She is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
Clark Bowerman, Waukesha, has been intrigued by the beauty of the English language since he was a boy, A 1997 poetry writing class opened the well of inspiration. His poetry describes his experiences and the rhythm of life around him.
Nancy Gregersen, Waukesha, dabbles in a variety of creative endeavors, from photography and drawing to poetry-writing. She reflects on nature and the joys and conundrums of life and has produced one chapbook, Alive, Awake, Aware, Amused.
Ramon Klitzke, Waukesha, a Chicago native transplanted to Wisconsin to teach law at Marquette University is now retired. He writes free verse, often focusing on an unusual character or on nature, particularly that which he finds near his cabin near Rhinelander. He is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
Robert Kokan, Ottawa, identifies with the poets of the 1950’s beat generation, exploring shadows, corners, dark alleyways, and dreams. He prefers to travel the path less trodden.
Janet Leahy teaches elementary school in Milwaukee, but her writing helps her to hold on to the precious moments and to the feelings they engender.
Katy Phillips, Waukesha, started writing poetry four years ago after forty years of teaching. She has published in Free Verse, the Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar, Hummingbird, and the Door County publication, Siftings. She also travels and investigates her Celtic heritage. She is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
Betty Irene Priebe, Waukesha, applies her experience gained over many years in the visual arts to writing poetry. She has published in Free Verse, Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar, and Chrysanthemum and is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
Ann Strong, Pewaukee, is a spiritual poet. Her free verse style speaks of love, nature, and the people who touch her heart. She has been published in Chrysanthemum and The Windy Hill Review.
Moderating the group will be one of their own, Maryam Dachniwskyj, Pewaukee, who lists poetry among life’s necessities, next to coffee and banana bread. She faithfully follows the advice of writer Anne Lamott, to “Tell the truth as you understand it.” She also is a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
UW-Waukesha has the largest enrollment among the 13 freshman-sophomore University of Wisconsin Colleges campuses. For information about programs, admission, or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at (262) 521-5200 or visit the Web at waukesha.uwc.edu. |
