Tag: writing

UPDATE: Poetry Reading/Display at the Trout Museum of Art
The Trout Museum of Art in Appleton, WI is having a big exhibition – A Creative Place – before they move to their new space. And Appleton Poet Laureate Cathryn Cofell worked with them to incorporate poetry into their exhibit as well. I’m really pleased to say that I will have a poem as part of the exhibit, so I believe you should be able to see it on the wall there while the exhibit runs, Jan. 24 – May 18.

But if you want to hear those of us who wrote ekphrastic poems inspired by the art in the collection as well as see the artworks or even write your own, you’re in luck, because there’s also going to be a reading on April 4 from 1-3pm in the museum galleries! The event is listed on their Facebook page here. And it’s not just a reading – it’s a whole interactive event!
- Welcome & View of the Exhibit – 20 minutes
- Introduction & Reading – 55 minutes
- Interactive Session – 20 minutes of writing and viewing
  - Poets will be available to talk about their work near the artwork
  - Guests will be encouraged to explore the museum further
  - Guests will be invited to write their own poem inspired by the artwork (booklets and pencils provided)
- Guest Reading: Guests Share Poems – 15 minutes
- Closing Remarks – 5 minutes
My poem was inspired by Paul Donhauser’s Untitled (Abstract with Orange), which you can see here – but nothing beats seeing things in person. Plus, there will be opportunities to wander the exhibits and maybe be inspired to create something of your own, whether it’s a sketch or a poem or who knows what! As Rumi said, “Let the beauty we love be what we do. / There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
March 7, 2025

poem, Poems, poet, poetry, writing
2025 Woodland Pattern Poetry Marathon, Jan. 25 & 26 – In-Person AND Livestreamed!

EDIT: Now that this event has passed, the entire thing is available to watch on YouTube! Saturday’s stream is available here and Sunday’s stream is available here. You can skip right to my reading here!

Once again, I’m lucky enough to have the chance to participate in the Woodland Pattern Poetry Marathon, 10am-10pm on Sat & Sun, Jan 25 & 26! The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets hour will be from 3-4pm on Saturday, so I’ll be reading at some point – live and in-person – during that hour!

“After four years of unforgettable online Marathons, we are overjoyed to announce our first-ever hybrid Poetry Marathon. As implied, this year’s Marathon will combine the best aspects of previous in-person and virtual iterations, bringing back the (figurative) electricity of live, in-person performances while continuing to hold space for poets from the far reaches of our national and international communities.

The event will take place in Milwaukee—at Saint Kate, the Arts Hotel—over the course of two days and 24 hours, and will feature not only hundreds of poets from our city, region, and beyond, but also live musical performances, screenings of moving-image works, and various surprises. Performances will take place before a live audience, and will also be livestreamed via Crowdcast.”

I’m very excited – this is the first time I’ve had the chance to participate in-person! As always, more information on their website here: https://woodlandpattern.org/poetry-marathon

November 24, 2024

poem, Poems, poet, poetry, Upcoming, writing
WFOP 2025 Calendar Reading; Milwaukee, Sat. Nov 9, 2024

Come hear poetry from the 2025 WFOP Calendar! All are welcome to Milwaukee’s Central Library Community Room beginning at 2:00 PM. Contributing poets are asked to read their poem from the calendar, plus one other short poem if they’d like. Light refreshments will be provided.

I’m planning on being there (the Milwaukee Central Branch is beautiful, and who can turn down the combination of free refreshments and poetry?). I hope some of you can check it out as well! It will be in the Community Room from 2:00-3:30, and calendars will be there for sale.

More information about the 2025 Calendar, as well as my poem that appears in it and how to get a copy of the calendar yourself, can be found here.

November 23, 2024

poem, Poems, poet, poetry, writing
Poetry Unlocked Featured Readers – Anneliese Finke and Ed Werstein, October 2024

Ed Werstein (long-time but recently retired Vice President of our region of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, which includes both Milwaukee and Sheboygan) is going to be one of the featured readers at Poetry Unlocked in Appleton, WI in October. And then, somehow, so am I!

Monday, October 14, at 6:30pm at Acoca Cafe and Roastery in Appleton, there will be a reading by each of we two featured readers, followed by an open mic. This is a monthly event there, so I’m quite honored to be asked to come and be a part of it! And honestly, I love things like this where they combine one or two featured readers with the opportunity for an open mic. It usually gets a good variety of voices out there.

EDIT: Now that it’s passed, please enjoy the photos of me, blue Detroit Lions hair and all, reading poems to a very kind audience and gradually realizing that I wrote about 80% of my poems involving bones in some way… Also heard some really excellent work during the open mic.

October 1, 2024

poem, Poems, poet, poetry, writing
Reading with Rescue Kittens! 6/18/23, 1-2pm

This is a thing they do periodically, with local authors and either kittens or puppies, to help them socialize – how could I say no? As you can see, one lil’ guy was a big fan of my poetry (or just my shoulder). Description from WordHaven BookHouse, our local bookstore:

“WordHaven is partnering with Sheboygan County Humane Society to share some quality time with humans, adoptable pets, and books!

A representative from the Humane Society will be here with applications if you find a love match with one of the adoptable pets in attendance at this event.

Free Event (Donations for the Humane Society Accepted)

This month, Local Author- Anneliese Finke – will be reading to kitties!”

June 5, 2023

cats, kittens, poem, Poems, poet, poetry, writing