Poem & Prompt Social Club

WELCOME

Welcome to the info page for the Poem & Prompt Social Club. As Tompkins County Poet Laureate, Christine Kitano will host monthly meetings throughout 2021-2022 (on Zoom for the foreseeable future) for discussion and generative prompts. Readings in 2022 will be selected from the Best American Poetry 2021 anthology, guest edited by Tracy K. Smith. Readings in 2021 will be selected from the Best American Poetry 2020 anthology, guest edited by Paisley Rekdal. Reading and discussion will be geared toward adult beginners but all levels are welcome.

Thank you to David Lehman for providing the club with complimentary copies of the Best American Poetry anthologies. Books were distributed at Odyssey Bookstore in Ithaca, NY. 

2022 MEETING DATES

Sunday, April 17, 4:00pm EDT
Poem for discussion: "Abecedarian for ESL in West Lafayette, Indiana" by Su Cho, p, 27 in Best American Poetry 2021

Sunday, February 13, 4:00pm EST
Poem for discussion: "Love" by Alex Dimitrov, p. 49 in Best American Poetry 2021

Sunday, January 16, 4:00pm EST
Poem for discussion: "This Is a Love Poem to Trees" by Hannah Marshall, p. 107 in Best American Poetry 2021

2021 MEETING DATES

Sunday, November 14, 4:00 pm EST
End-of-year celebration! Bring a poem to share--either yours or someone else's.
Register for Zoom link: here

Sunday, October 24, 4:00pm EDT
Poem for discussion: "On Faith" by Shara Lessley, p. 101 in anthology, link here
Register for Zoom link: here

Sunday, September 19, 4:00pm EDT
Poem for discussion: "Orange" by William Brewer, p. 21 in anthology, link here
Register for Zoom link: here

Sunday, August 22, 4:00p EDT
Poem for discussion: "Bear" by Steven Kleinman, p. 93 in anthology, link here
Register for Zoom link: here

Sunday, July 11, 4:00pm EDT
Poem for discussion: "In a Time of Peace" by Ilya Kaminsky, p. 83 in anthology, link here
Register for Zoom link: here

Sunday, June 27, 4:00pm EDT
Poem for discussion: "Saving the Children" by Julia Alvarez, p. 1 in anthology, link here
Register for Zoom link: here

Sunday, May 16, 3:00pm EDT
Poem for discussion: "Good Mother" by Rachel Eliza Griffiths", p. 66 in anthology, link here

POEM & PROMPT SOCIAL CLUB FAQ'S

1) What is the purpose of this club?

The purpose of this club is to continue fostering the already vibrant literary community in Tompkins County. By creating a structured space for reading and writing poems, the club aims to make poetry more accessible to members of the Tompkins County community, especially those without access to academic resources. 

2) How do I join? 

Just show up to our Zoom meetings! To get on the email list for updates and Zoom links, sign up here.

3) When does the club meet?

Our first meeting will launch at the Spring Writes Literary Festival on Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 3:00-4:00pm on Zoom. No prior preparation or experience needed--just come by! Meeting dates and "assignments" will be announced month-to-month after the launch and posted here. 

3) Do I have to come to every meeting?

No! This is meant to be casual, social, and fun. 

4) Do I have to live in Tompkins County? 

All are welcome for our Zoom meetings. If we do get to meet in person at some point, meetings will most likely be held in Ithaca, NY.