The Virgin Learning to Read by Julia Griffin The mother smiles, one finger poised to guideHer daughter’s eyes along a page of wood. The child’s small hands hold up the book: a good Pupil. We cannot see the text inside. How kindly those old sculptors understood: – Behold a girl, her parents’ care and pride,Endowed with a humanity deniedTo … Read More
Gronnets by Julia Griffin My mother’s mother’s father looked like Einstein:So Grandma said, and photos bear it out.Sadly, the likeness stopped there, though no doubtHe had his strengths: finding his prospects fenced inBy dangerous Europe, fearing to be pounced on,He sailed for Liberty, alone, a scoutFor wife and son. They joined him, in aboutFive years: … Read More
It is with excitement and joy that we announce the winner of the 2022 Kim Bridgford Memorial Sonnet Contest: Individual Sonnet winner “The Virgin Learning to Read” by Julia Griffin, and Sonnet Crown winner “Gronnets” by Julia Griffin. Julia Griffin was awarded both $500 prizes and was invited to read the pieces in May at Poetry by the Sea 2022. As we announce the winning … Read More
Pictured above, the technical rehearsal which went off without a hitch on Monday May 17th. Here’s how to watch the PBTS Spring Celebration on Wednesday, May 26. At 5 pm: visit the PBTS Facebook page, where a link to YouTube will take you to the event. visit the PBTS Facebook event page, where a link … Read More
Please join us for the Poetry by the Sea online Spring Celebration, to be held in place of the canceled 2021 in-person conference. Our aim is to bring our community together in celebration of the life, works, and vision of our Founder and Director, Kim Bridgford. The event will include readings and a panel discussion of … Read More
It is with excitement and joy that we announce the winners of the 2021 Kim Bridgford Memorial Sonnet Contest: “An Aging Poet Explains” by David Southward and “The Messenger” by Susan Delaney Spear. They each will be awarded a prize of $500 and are invited to read the pieces at our online event in May, the Poetry by the Sea 2021 Celebration and Awards … Read More
The Messenger by Susan Delaney Spear 1.This, she recalls. Mommy piles her Along with friends into the tan Dodge Dart,the ride, smooth on asphalt, and the dustthe car stirs on the lane down to the farm.It is her fifth birthday. Dark purple grapes decorate the trellis. Old Shep’s growlscares her slack-kneed, back among adultscircled up … Read More
An Aging Poet Explains by David Southward The problem is that people are like trees.Although they think and speak and walk around,they’re growths of buried systems no one sees—whose roots, like an inverted broccoli crown,anchor them to the soils of home and school.While summer wraps their limbs in gathered light,this hidden half digests a springtime … Read More
Shane Warren was accepted to the Student Volunteer Program for Poetry by the Sea 2020. If you’ve been to the conference, you’ll know how hard the volunteers work and that they are always a cheerful, friendly presence. Of course, this year’s conference didn’t happen, and then, in a further demonstration of 2020’s cruelty, Shane suffered … Read More
This two hour event featured Katie Schneider, Anna M. Evans, Molly Mellinger, Nicole Caruso Garcia, Annabelle Moseley, Laura Marie Marciano, Sally Nacker, April Booker, Brittany Hill, Holly Brigham, Wendy Sloan, Colin Halloran, Barbara Crooker, and Julie Kane. Poetry by the Sea would like to thank FUMFA for organizing the tribute and for giving kind permission … Read More
