Poetry Heaven

For a few days in early October, the 7th -10th, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and surrounding venues in Newark, New Jersey will be transformed into the country’s largest poetry festival. With 4 poet laureates joining more than 30 other distinguished poets from around the world, the Geraldine R.Dodge Poetry Festival provides a unique opportunity for poetry lovers and poetry ”likers” to deepen their experience of poetry. In addition to readings by poets such as Galway Kinnell, Billy Collins, Kay Ryan, Rita Dove, Mark Strand, Amiri Baraka, Martin Espada and Bob Hicok, there will also be poet-led “conversations” exploring the different aspects of poetry and the life of a poet. Rounding out the experience will be events that feature internationally known musicians and storytellers.

A few years ago, I attended this festival with my teenage son. He was reluctant to go – I bargained, he relented, off we went. Arriving mid-morning, we split up and attended different readings and conversations throughout the day and then circled back at the end for the Poetry Sampler on the main stage. I was amazed that at the end of this long day, he was eager to hear more poetry and that we were both so thoroughly enjoying some of the same works. We returned home that evening with few new books of poetry, some great shared memories and a sense of having participated in something rare and beautiful.


I copied down and saved the Festival introduction from that program as a reminder of that day. Here is part of it:

"And pleasure is what I hope you find, wherever you turn, as you begin to relax into the sea of words and images that will wash over you here. Leave all ordinary ideas of control back on the shore. Enjoy the constantly changing array of emotions and thoughts you encounter. Trust this ocean to support you as you float and paddle among friends. Trust it to support you as you drift among the enchanting and oddly familiar scenes below the surface. We have tried to do everything we could so that you might find swimming to be as natural as breathing. It feels good to be home."
Jim Haba

Making meaningful connections lies at the heart of creativity and The Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival excels at this! Don’t miss it!
By Barbara Reuther - Director of Arts in Education