ALSO JUST FOR YOU!

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Residents of Chicago and those who may be in the vicinity at this time:
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The GUILD LITERARY COMPLEX presents the 21st Annual GWENDOLYN BROOKS open mic and reading award held at the Chopin Theatre on Wednesday, 7/23 at 7 PM.

Writers across the state of Illinois submitted their poems to the GUILD in June. Twenty (20) of these poems were selected and will be presented. The audience will decide the winner of a $500 prize.

Come join the fun and hear some great poetry read Out loud, the way it should be heard!

For details on this event click on poetryfoundation.org

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WHO WAS GWENDOLYN BROOKS? 
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"Gwendie," as she was known by very close friends was a poetess.

Although she was born in Kansas, she was a life-long  native of Chicago.

                               June 7, 1917 - December 3, 2000

She won the prestigious PULITZER PRIZE for POETRY in 1950 for her 2nd book of poetry, "Annie Allen," becoming the first Black person to win that honor.

She was appointed Poet Laureate of Illinois in 1968 and United States Poet Laureate in 1985.

For details on her life Google Search her name.

POETRY CHALLENGE 11

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CAN YOU HANDLE IT?
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Write a poem that describes something you are looking forward to experiencing.
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TAKING CHALLENGE 10

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THE DOCTOR IS IN
(A Poem for Maya Angelou)


without knowing you
taught me the
meaning of love and
understanding of myself
in all things
to no longer be
afraid to lift my
voice and  rise
above the friction                      

of life relegated
to the 2nd class
citizenship lane of
life sentenced to
the iron bars of
a caged-in soul
which now sings
praises to you daily
for healing me for
making me well
enough to lift
my voice
to sing
to rise

MORE JUST FOR YOU

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Join POETS HOUSE for their 22nd Annual Showcase, which is a free exhibit featuring all of the new poetry books and poetry-related texts published in the U.S. in a single year from over 700 commercial presses.

The showcase will be on view during library hours through August 16th.

POETS HOUSE is located at 10 River Terrace in New York City. For more info click on  poetshouse.org

SPEAKING OF WHICH, The Poet Outlaw himself (me) will be attending a weekend workshop at POETS HOUSE on Saturday, 7/26 and Sunday 7/27.

Prompts for Poets Weekend Workshop will be led by Valerie Fox and Lynn Levin, authors of the book  Poems for the Writing: Prompts for Poets.

The workshop will explore several of the unique prompts in their book and will include some in-class writing and sharing.

The Poet Outlaw will blog live from this event, as well as the Showcase, so stay tuned.

POETIC BIRTHDAY

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BORN ON THIS DAY
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                                             1936

June Jordan, poetess, journalist, essayist, activist and teacher, was one of the most widely published and highly-acclaimed writers of her generation. She authored more than 25 major works of poetry, fiction and essays, as well as numerous children's books.

**Details of her life and times can be found by  googling her name and reading all the related entries.

POETRY CHALLENGE 10

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CAN YOU HANDLE IT?
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Write a poem paying tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou.
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JUST FOR YOU

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Join the POETRY FOUNDATION LIBRARY'S, Book Club Sessions on either Saturday, July 12th at 2 pm, or Friday, July 18th, at 12:30 pm, when all levels of experience are welcome to discuss Maya Angelou's  "The Complete Collected Poems."

Space is limited to 15 participants, so register early, and in advance by emailing library@poetryfoundation.org. 

The library is located at 6l West Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois.