Thomas Cannon Oshkosh Poet Laureate
I was ready for the opportunity. I kept writing and submitting and getting published once in a while
I used social media for marketing.
I took the opportunities of open mics, helping with Lakefly, and doing programs at the library. (Jeffrey does the same).
Truthfully- Mayor Palmeri got inspired by Amanda Gorman’s speech- goal- to help heal the divide in our society. Put together a selection committee
The common council approved the proposal
The public library funds the stipend and hosts the email address.
Jeffrey- North Fond du Lac Poet Laureate
1.North Fond du Lac Library Board starts research into the poet laureate position in June of 2022. Members talked with poet laureates from around the state of Wisconsin. It is found that there are many ways to create a poet laureate position, can be named by a municipality, county by a public library. Can be a paid or unpaid position.
2.Volunteers put posters all around town and spread the word on social media.
3.The library board put together an application for the position and decided it was a volunteer position lasting 2 years. Board member Sheri Freiberg developed a scoring system for applicants. Contenders applied between 1/1 and 2/14 2023. The board voted on the applications 2/27/23.
4.Named North Fond du Lac Poet Laureate by the North Fond du Lac(Spillman) Public Library Board 3/1/2023
Maybe though this can lead you to the next slide about your motivation
Revision-
Why do we write a poetry?
We want our message to exist in someone else’s mind and or our own mind.
If we want it to take up that space, it needs to be worthwhile
If it is not, then it will not.
Probably because it is too generic
That’s an opportunity squandered
Benefits of Writing Poetry
Think better- poems are puzzles to get the right word and the right rhythm
Teaches you language – You have to know the meanings of words and what is the exact right word to use-
Benefits of Poetry (Tom)
Practice Mindfulness
Learn How to Savor the Moment
By Elizabeth Scott, MS https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-savor-the-moment-3144633
Focus on the moment
Focus on the details
Focus on the sensations
Perfect for poetry- Poetry is describing things in detail. Take note of all the senses.
Relive a moment as you write the poem, then relieve it as you tell it to someone.
Benefits of Writing Poetry (Tom)
Explore your thoughts- including your subconscious ones
Express Gratitude- Often poems are about the special things in our lives
We explore them, put them in the forefront of our minds, and share them though poetry
Share your feelings the way you choose- This makes some poetry into mystery
Tell our side of a story- Make ourselves the hero of it.
Even if you are not just open a vein and bleed type writer.
How Does Revision find your voice?
https://youtu.be/OOUZ78EHJI0?t=10
Does our poetry journey begin with heartbreak? (Mind did)
We start with woe is me! My heart is broke. Cliches ensue.
Editing makes you step back and see your feelings and your message in a new light.
Editing add your unique perspective.
Show your emotions in an image instead of saying generic words.
You use the techniques you are drawn to
How Does Revision find your voice?
Poetry is healing. It doesn’t matter if you write a good poem or not. However, the longer you spend healing, the better you will be.
You and your poem grows together
Revision is a process to become better acquainted with the poem.
Revisit and re-invent our language, image, music, rhythm, and rhyme -Sage Cohen
A way to see new possibilities for the poem. –Margaret Atwood. A way to say something that has never been expressed
Add techniques to make it stronger. Take out the things that make it weaker.
Make it truer to what you want to say
Jeff’s Favorite Literary Devices
Enjambment- the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next.
Anaphora- the repetition of words or phrases in a group of sentences, clauses, or poetic lines.
Caesura- a break or pause in the middle of a line of verse. It can be marked as || in the middle of the line, although generally it is not marked at all – it’s simply part of the way the reader or singer pronounces the line.
Imagery- visually descriptive or figurative language
Why just write a poem when you can write a better one/ write in your true voice?
Say something someone else has never said.
People don’t snag a diamond out of the cave wall. They must be cut and polished.
Cut and polish your poetry so others want to see it. So that it is unique.
Happy poems- spend extra time recreating that time.- relive it
uSad poems- uncover everything- think of it as a cavity. Don’t leave the infection behind
uMake your pain into something beautiful
uSeparate your thoughts from yourself. By focusing on the words, you look Separate your thoughts from yourself. By focusing on the words, you look outward. How can I help someone else with this?
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uKeep in touch with Thomas Cannon
uWebsite: www.thomascannonauthor.com
uTwitter: @Tcbcannon
uInstagram: @Tcbcannon and @Oshkosh_Poet
uFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcbcannon/ and https://www.facebook.com/tcbcannon/TaoofApathy.
uYouTube: @thomascannonauthor.com
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uKeep in touch with Jeffrey McAndrew
uWebsite: jeffreymcandrew.wordpress.com
uTwitter: @numinous2019
uFacebook: North Fond du Lac Poet Laureate: https://www.facebook.com/groups/890256642191264
Thomas Cannon Author 