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Words are spoken
(& written of course!)
Salena J. D.
May 13, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Happy Tuesday!
This week's edition is extra special as I'll be performing as a featured poet at In the Beginning: Words Were Spoken (2nd Edition) tomorrow night. I’m so looking forward to seeing some of y’all IRL!
As always, this newsletter is packed with plenty of ways to connect with our vibrant community — whether you can make it to in-person events or prefer to engage from home.
Pour yourself something delicious and let’s dive in…
⭐️ Top Shelf Pour: In the Beginning…
Join Author Lori Kirkland & Amaziyah The Great as they host a special evening dedicated to the power and beauty of spoken word poetry.
What makes this event so special is the incredible lineup of local poets, including both the hosts, Jill Miller, Othannah Tomasina, Jaybird Walker, Mr. Orange Live, Maddie Ruszala, Fresco G.P., Monica D. Vance, GBRL, and yes—yours truly! I’m truly honored I get to share the stage with such talented voices from our community.
Whether you're new to the poetry scene or a regular at local events, this gathering promises to be an evening of inspiration, connection, and powerful words. It's exactly the kind of community-centered poetry experience that inspired me to start The Poetry Pour in the first place.
I'd love to put a face to the names I’ve become acquainted with online so please come say hello if you attend!
Can't make it in person? No worries! The event will also be streamed online, so you can tune in from anywhere.
🏠️ Brew-It at Home: Virtual Poetry Events Calendar
For those weeks when life gets hectic and you can't make it to in-person events (we've all been there!), I'm excited to share a resource that I recently discovered: Talicha J's comprehensive online poetry events calendar.
What makes this calendar special is how it focuses specifically on virtual and online poetry events—perfect for those nights when you want to connect with poetry but want to stay in your sweatpants. As someone who spent years wanting to engage with the poetry community but struggling to make it to physical events, I deeply appreciate having options that work with unpredictable schedules and energy levels.
Talicha's calendar uses a helpful key system, making it easy to identify free events, LGBTQIA-focused gatherings, and more. I especially love how she marks her personally recommended events with a 📌 symbol.
With this amazing tool in your toolbox, you can make more time for poetry, even when the weeks get overwhelming. Personally, I want to start adding a “poetry night in” to my Sunday reset/self-care menu: for me, that would look like combining a free online event from Talicha’s calendar, then spending 20 minutes with one of the poetry collections on my book shelf I have yet to close-read — the perfect way to brew poetry at home when life demands flexibility or my social battery is running low!
🗳️ Spill the Tea: Writing It Down
This weekend, I brought my poetry journal over to the PVD pedestrian bridge to soak up a bit of Vitamin D before the sun went down. As I sat there, flipping through old free-writes & first drafts, I realized: I’ve had this poetry journal for 6 years & I’m only just now reaching the last few pages. It got me thinking about all the different places I put my poems (& how I need to write more often 🙃) & now I’m curious…
Where do YOU write most? |
📤️ Pour Your Heart Out: Calling All Poetry Educators
This week's opportunity is perfect for those of you who not only write poetry but love to teach it! LitArts RI (who I featured last week) is currently accepting proposals for their Fall 2025 Writing Workshops & the deadline is just one week away!
If you've ever considered leading a poetry workshop, this is your chance to share your unique perspective and skills with our local community. LitArts selects proposals based on alignment with their mission, diversity of offerings, community needs, and the strength of your proposal. The best part? They offer $100 per workshop hour, and no MFA or extensive publication history is required — making this an accessible opportunity for poets at various stages of their journey.
Even if teaching isn't your thing, consider sharing this opportunity with a writer friend who might be perfect for it—sometimes the most meaningful connections happen when we help each other find the right opportunities!
🏘️ Pour-trait of a Neighbor: Meet Craig, A.K.A Amaziyah
 Craig A. Kirkland's debut poetry collection "Don't Cry" offers 102 powerful poems that journey through personal experiences, social commentary, and celebrations of love. As Amaziyah The Great, Craig brings his unique voice from Spanish Town, Jamaica to Providence, delivering inspirational messages that both challenge and uplift readers. This heartfelt collection, dedicated to his children and parents, invites you to glimpse inside the mind of one of our community's most passionate poetic voices. | This week, I'm honored to spotlight Craig A. Kirkland, also known as Amaziyah the Great. Craig isn't just a poet — he's a griot, a storyteller, a keeper of history, and a champion for the local poetry community. The first time I saw him perform was at Pawtucket Poetry's 5th anniversary event in January 2025. As a newcomer, I was welcomed with open arms & even encouraged to share during the open mic. That night marked the beginning of my poetry rebirth & was the first time I truly felt a part of the local poetry community. Craig uses his poetry & platform to uplift & connect poets from every corner & clique. He is committed to connecting our community through powerful words, inspiring action, & persistent promotion to make sure the power of poetry is shared widespread. |
📆 On Tap This Week
Disclaimer: *All events are subject to change without notice. Please check event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Tuesday, 5/13
Wednesday, 5/14
Thursday, 5/15
No local in-person events (that I'm aware of!)
Friday, 5/16
Saturday, 5/17
Sunday, 5/18
No local in-person events (that I'm aware of!)
Monday, 5/19
No local in-person events (that I'm aware of!)
If you're hosting something soon, connect with me on IG or via email to let me know so I can help you spread the word!
I so appreciate your time, attention, & support. I am also incredibly grateful for your patience as I work to configure a comprehensive calendar of local poetry events that I’m hoping will ensure that PVD’s poetic renaissance continues to thrive & grow!
Till next time,
Salena J.D ~ your resident pourtender & fellow poet
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