Local Celebration of National Poetry Month Demonstrates Poetry's Vital Place in our Diverse Community

April is the 15th annual National Poetry Month, one of the largest literary celebrations in the world. Throughout the nation, schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, readers and poets will participate in a month-long festival of poetry. And on the 15th of April, at 10:00 at The Elephant Tea Room in Pawtuxet Village, the Poets of West Bay in Warwick are teaming up with the Ocean State Poets of Rhode Island to host a lively, half-hour presentation, demonstrating poetry’s vital place in our diverse community.
Poetry’s place in our community is vital? Really?
Yes! Here in Rhode Island, poetry truly is playing an important role in the lives of the people who gather every Thursday, at 2:00 pm as part of their weekly poetry meetings at West Bay Residential Services. They meet face to face to share the challenges and the benefits of turning emotions and ideas into creative expression.
They have been writing and collecting their poems, every week, for 5 years. They are now in the process of writing a book to tell the inspiring story of their creative collaboration and growth. The book, Thursdays at 2:00, will also feature some of their favorite poems and will help to raise funds for ongoing creative sessions.
The Thursdays at 2:00, Project began out of a need to find meaningful alternative cost-free day options, after a loss of significant funding during the recession resulted in a tight budget. During a brainstorming session, James Boucher, a gentleman who receives services at West Bay and one of West Bay’s Board of Directors, suggested they try writing poetry together. In 1996, VSA arts Rhode Island awarded the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Prize to James for his poem, “I Put Pen to Paper.” Nobody else in the group knew anything about poetry, but they agreed to try his suggestion.
Not even James expected that Thursday’s at 2:00 would become a highlight of the week for many of the individuals supported through West Bay. Poetry has become an ongoing part of their lives, and for some, a part of their identity.
“I love it,” says Gloria, a novice poet. “It’s fun! It helps me…” She pauses to consider the exact word she wants.
James pitches in, “It helps you participate?”
“Yes!”
That is how it works on Thursday’s at 2:00. People collaborate to express a thought, an emotion, and a vision. It is like a choir—a chorus of harmonizing voices—all contributing their unique parts to make beautiful music.
James explains, “If someone is having a bad day, they’ll voice it, and we find a way to turn it around. Poetry helps us with that. People are able to express themselves and be listened to, find support and understanding. Someone in the group jumps in and other people jump in [to add words to the poem] and it starts a chain reaction of positive talk.”
Gloria adds, “I help!”
James affirms, “We help each other, right Gloria?”
With all this talk about self-expression, emotions, support and collaboration, you might assume these gatherings resemble a group therapy session. They do not. They look more like a well-orchestrated party game, in which everyone wins. The members in this collective making of poetry on Thursdays at 2:00 experience the benefits of self-esteem and joy, artistic and entrepreneurial achievement, and collaborative, respectful relationships.
All are invited to attend this fun, uplifting, half-hour program, which will feature novice poets James Boucher, Gloria Bray, Melissa Angilly and Day Support Supervisor Susan Raposa from West Bay Residential Services, along with Ocean State Poets, Carol Anderheggen, Bill Carpenter and Helen D’Ordine. Local author and editor at Rose Hall Media Company, Tracy Lee Karner, will M.C the event.
Come discover the joys and rewards—the life-affirming vitality—of poetry in our community!

A Rhode Island National Poetry Month Celebration
featuring West Bay and Ocean State Poets
hosted by Rose Hall Media Company
at The Elephant Tea Room in Pawtuxet Village
2170 Broad Street, Cranston, RI 02905
Wednesday, April 15 10:00 am.