Sandburg teacher Guelcher publishes 3 poems

Sandburg High School English teacher Kathryn Guelcher recently had three pieces of poetry published in Lost Coast Review literary magazine. They can be found online at http://www.lostcoastreview.com/three-poems-by-kathryn-guelche/ and will be available in print next month.

Asked about writing poetry, Kathryn Guelcher shared the following:

“The summer before I entered fifth grade, my father, a high school English teacher in the city, gave me a spiral notebook and suggested that I keep a journal. I quickly discovered the power and magic behind the act of writing. Since that time, I have scarcely been without a journal-- which for years, was always a spiral.

Reading poetry is something that I have always loved-- yet I do not love all types of poetry equally just as I do not love all types of music equally. A few years ago, colleagues Kristin Spooner, Charlie Tarjan and myself began a writing circle (triangle?) that we maintain today. We send each other our own poems for editing and commentary as well as poems of others we admire. Without them, none of my publications would be possible

The publishing process is a massive undertaking that feels like a layered secret world with oceans of depth and uncertainty-- especially at first. One editor I worked with from Memoir Journal said that getting published is a little like hoping to get struck by lightning. It requires a willingness to receive rejection after rejection and not give up.

I am so thrilled about the newest poems published in Lost Coast Review. Though I generally don’t love “concrete” poetry, the first one there in the shape of the Sears Tower is particularly close to my heart. It is about facing the literal fears mentioned there, sure, but writing it helped me really realize that resilience is a learned skill, not an inborn one. My hope, of course, is that it resonates with others. Additionally, what I love about “Golden Moment” (which has been a favorite among responders) is that students and colleagues have guessed among three different members of my department. This speaks not only to the rapid change in attitude happening in society, but also of the kind of colleagues I am lucky enough to work with.

Generally, I like the challenge of writing poetry-- figuring out how to say a lot in a small space. Ideally, I love when poetry (both what I read and what I write) blends the humorous and the heart-felt. I have not mastered the style yet. Overall, reading and writing poetry has taught me how better to listen, observe, and edit.

Finally, I have been so thrilled to begin the Visiting Writer Series with colleague Tom Maguire, thanks to D230 Foundation Grants. Last year’s visiting writers Kathleen Rooney and George Bilgere are exactly the kinds of writers from whom I draw inspiration for my students, my teaching career, and my own writing. This fall, we are beyond thrilled to welcome Stuart Dybek.

I can be found on Twitter: @KathrynGuelcher where I follow a number of fabulous writers and literary magazines.”