TAMMY ROBACKER: THE LAST POEM-A-TACOMA >>>

As National Poetry Month comes to an end, let’s not close the chapter on poetry. As I post this final Poem-A-Tacoma blog topic, I want to be sure and share some of the resources and upcoming events the South Sound offers to keep poets and writers productive and entertained.

Upcoming lit events and poetry readings

P.S. Keep Writing
A new workshop group called P.S. Keep Writing! is forming to help writers keep producing new material. The Tacoma Public Library Main Branch’s Olympic Room has been reserved for Puget Sound Keep Writing! on the second and fourth Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. beginning June 11 and 25. This group will be especially helpful to those embarking upon a large body of work such as a book, as it provides a bi-monthly deadline, and an audience to give helpful feedback. Most importantly, the group will strive to get people to keep writing. Folks interested in joining or to read group guidelines, please email: bonnie@pskeepwriting.com.

In Tahoma’s Shadow Readings
Two In Tahoma’s Shadow poetry anthology readings are scheduled for the month of May. The first reading at which poets collected in the anthology are invited to read takes place Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at King’s Books, 218 St. Helen’s Ave. in Tacoma. A second reading from contributing poets is scheduled for the following Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S.

Puget Sound Poetry Connection
The City of Tacoma and Puget Sound Poetry Connection present The Distinguished Writer Series Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Kings Books, 218 St. Helens. Featuring Poet Jeff Lair. Open mic follows featured reader. Host: Connie Walle.

King’s Book Store Literary Events
Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. Banned Book Club meets at Tempest Lounge, 913 MLK Way, Tacoma. Join this perverse book group reading books that have been banned or challenged. The next selection is My Father's Scar by Michael Cart. Come join the discussion. BBC meets the third Tuesday of every month at Tempest Lounge â€" a 21 and older venue. Call 253.272.4904 or e-mail sweet pea for more information.

Olympia Poetry Network
Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. Olympia Poetry Network invites you to a free poetry reading by Jenifer Lawrence at Traditions Fair Trade Café in Olympia. Open mic to follow.

Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m., poet and teacher, Allen Braden will lead the Paul Gillie Memorial Poetry Workshop sponsored by the OPN. This free workshop takes place at the Downtown Olympia Library, 313 8th Ave. S.E., Olympia.

River and Sound Review
Pierce County’s organization, River and Sound Review, will be performing a live production Thursday, May 7 at the Richard Hugo House in Seattle. They welcome best-selling novelist Stephanie Kallos (whose book Broken For You was a Today Show Book Club Selection), essayist and poet Anne McDuffie, and guest musician, Patrick Bradshaw. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to support future productions of RSR. 

In closing, I also leave you with one of my own labors of love â€" a poem dedicated to readers and all the fantastic poets, authors, students, organizations, businesses and poetry groups that keep Tacoma writing.

I WANT THIS POEM TO BE
by Tammy Robacker

I want this poem to be
found by you
like it’s been folded
so carefully in form
it is origami. A pointy
pure white dove
flown straight for you.

I want this poem to be
discovered by you                                                                                   
like it always existed.
But others just missed it.
Like it was winking
up in the milky way
for so long, for utter eons
even if the whole atmosphere
of it is already burned out
by the time it reaches you
it will still light up the world.

I want this poem to be
bloomed by you
like a fresh-born lily.
Like a stargazer waits bud-shut
in the hush hours of morning.
But it chooses now to open.
Like the petals knew all along
when and how to flourish. Since
your hand finally holds it.

Poem-A-Tacoma was sponsored by Embellish Multispace Salon in downtown Tacoma. Thank you Embellish!

TAMMY ROBACKER is a poet and writer living, breathing, typing and spitting words in Tacoma. She owns a freelance writing and marketing communications company called Pearle Publications. Her poetry has appeared in Plazm, Women's Work, The Wild Goose Poetry Review, and the Allegheny Review. A recent recipient of the 2009/10 TAIP grant, she will be publishing her first book of poetry, The Vicissitudes, through the generous support of this funding made possible by the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission.