Stopping by Grange on snowy afternoon for poetry

The new Poetry at the Grange program got off to a great start despite the wintry weather on Thursday, Feb. 13. Nine poetry enthusiasts and poet-curious participants convened in the Grange’s cozy upper chambers, utilizing that historic space and stage for the first time in many years.

Amy Allen, Shelburne’s Poet Laureate, inaugurated the program by describing her trajectory into writing and poetry and providing insights into the challenging world of publishing. The poems brought out the complexity of experiences related to the sometimes wrenching aspects of family relations.

Follow-up poems provided by and read by the participants were surprisingly connected in a poignant show of synchronicity.

Poetry at the Grange will continue throughout the year, every second Thursday, 1-2:30 p.m., at the Grange Hall in East Charlotte. Each month a local poet will be invited to share about themselves and recite several poems. Participants are then invited to recite their own poetry, read poetry of their choosing or just listen.

Prizes will be offered to those who can recite their poems from memory. All Charlotters and residents from neighboring communities are invited to attend.

On March 13, the guest poet will be Bethany Breitland. Born in northern Indiana, her people are cult members, truckers, doctors, child-mothers and business tycoons. She has lived, studied and taught on the West Coast, in the South and New England.

Breitland earned her undergrad degree from Pepperdine University and her Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College. As an educator and activist, she has worked for over 20 years for women’s rights and the LGBTQ community. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and a recipient of various poetry prizes.