Summer 2009
Home Poet pages Museletter Events Conferences Calendar Publications Links Markets Contests Laureate About Us Suggestions Join Next	Printable .pdf of current issue Museletter Archives President's Message       Yesterday (April 30th) on NPR, Martin Espada stated that McCarthyism pretty much killed political poetry in the U.S. He went on to explain that while there are still poets writing political verse, there are no large publishers carrying their voices to the masses, and that small presses don’t have the distribution to do so.       Whatever you may think of Espada’s politics, his concern about the silencing of dissident voices is undoubtedly valid. Without dissent, the body politic becomes a tyrant and civilization stagnates. Unfortunately, as Randolph Bourne explains in “War Is the Health of the State” (a Google search for that essay is well worth your while), we humans have a natural inclination to submerge our individual identities in groups, particularly in times of crisis–and there’s always a crisis somewhere. This makes me think that community pride should always be suspect. For one thing, it’s just too easy. For another, we all know “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”       That caution noted, I must admit that there are certainly reasons to feel pride in the community of Wisconsin arts, and particularly in the WFOP. The organization accomplishes quite a lot in support of poetry. Let me mention just a few things your dues help to achieve.       First, there are many member benefits. Did you know that as a member you can have your own page on the WFOP Web site? Further, you can include announcements in the weekly email update and the quarterly Museletter mailing. Of course, those two publications also provide you with poetry news regarding your region. Your dues also fund the annual Triad contest. In addition, the WFOP helps to sponsor other poetry happenings, from contributing to the state’s Poet Laureate fund (and filling a seat on the PL Commission), to supporting this year’s first Lorine Niedecker Wisconsin Poetry Festival. Last year, the WFOP contributed $1000 to help Madison’s slam poetry team travel to a national slam competition. This year, we’ve donated a like amount to fund continuation of Free Verse magazine, and we’ve made a $100 contribution to support the School of Arts in Rhinelander (SOAR). I’d also mention that while conference fees pay the bulk of our spring and fall conference expenses, your dues help to defray the cost of speakers and allow us to provide free passes to members who might otherwise be unable to attend those conferences.       These are just a few of the benefits your dues help to provide. Thank you.       I’d like to mention now a few other ways you can help to support the organization. Certainly you can donate financially to support WFOP efforts, if you like; the new Web store (wfop.org/store) has options for contributing to particular programs, or you can send a check by mail. More importantly, however, we can always use volunteers at events–contact your regional VP for details. (You can find the VPs listed at the bottom of this page.) In addition, simply promoting the mission of the organization helps, so mention the WFOP to your friends and colleagues. Show them the “poetic license” you received as a member, and consider sponsoring a friend. (WFOP members can sponsor a new member for only $20).       Another great way to help is to purchase old calendars (they’re available at quite a discount) and ask to leave them in waiting rooms at doctors’ offices or in coffee houses. We also welcome you to donate your own poetry chapbooks for sale on the WFOP site (which additionally promotes your poetry, of course).       Finally, whenever possible, join us at one of the two yearly conferences. Taking part in the fellowship at those events, reading your poetry in the Friday night open-mic session and the Saturday Roll Call, and attending the general business meeting, all help to strengthen the organization.       Today Britain has installed a new Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, a triple dark horse candidate in that she’s the first female, openly bisexual, and Scottish person to the post. Apparently she considered turning down the appointment, to avoid feeling constrained by the politics of the position. Instead, she chose to take on the challenge of remaining edgy even under the increased public scrutiny. As poets, that is the mission to which we’re all called—to be a voice to the public, reminding our civilization of things it might otherwise trample, whether that be the posies or the dispossessed. Thank you for the role you play in that mission, and for your membership in the WFOP. Sincerely, Les

What's Happening in Your Region?
Central-Fox Valley Region

Bill Gillard, Central-Fox Valley Regional VP
1478 Midway Road
Menasha, WI 54952-1224
bill.gillard@uwc.edu

       Cathryn Cofell’s poem “What to Give Her” was selected for the John Lehman Poetry Award from Wisconsin People & Ideas. The poem was published in the spring issue of the magazine with "B-Movie Victims." A selection of five poems published in 2008 were also selected as an Honorable Mention for the 2008 Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers. She was a volunteer for Fox Cities Bookfest, hosting a Café Conversation on the poetry of Simon Armitage and was emcee at the festival’s open mic.

East Region

Janet Leahy, East Regional Co-VP 13480 W. Fountain Drive New Berlin, WI 53151-3968 leahyja@earthlink.net

Carolyn Vargo, East Regional Co-VP 6147 West Stack Circle Milwaukee, WI 53219-3054 vargocj@execpc.com

     Threaded Metaphors: Text & Textiles, Part 3: On the Edge. An all-new exhibit of the work of fiber artists inspired by poetry and poets inspired by fiber art opened at Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, with a free reception from 5:30-8:30 p.m. WFOP poets CJ Muchhala, Helen Padway, Mara Ptacek, Margaret Rozga, Carolyn Vargo, and Phyllis Wax read their new ekphrastic poems between 6-7 p.m. Artists Mary Ellen Heus, Judith Zoelzer Levine, Elizabeth Lewis, Margaret Magill, Connie Tresch, and Pat Zalewski spoke informally about their pieces and the creative process involved in responding to poetry through art. This was the third exciting collaboration in the Threaded Metaphors series. The 12 poems, 10 quilted pieces and 2 weavings are shown adjacent to the pieces that inspired them, a true collaboration between object and text, inspiration and creativity, each interwoven with the other. Don’t miss it! The exhibit runs through July 26, 2009. Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission is $5.00 adults, $3.00 seniors, veterans & students. The exhibit is free to members of the Allis Museum, active military personnel and children. For more information, call (414) 278-8295 or log on to cavtmuseums.org.
      Thomas J. Erickson’s poem, “Ghazal for a Crow”, was accepted for publication in the 2009 edition of The Los Angeles Review.
      Charles P. Ries has had his interview with four small press editors that first appeared in Free Verse also accepted for publication in Poetry Dispatch, Gloom Cupboard, Working Writers, Creativity Connection, and Ibbetson Street. His review of Bruce Dethlefsen’s new book of poetry, Breather, has appeared or been accepted for publication in Gloom Cupboard, Ibbetson Press, Word Riot, Pen Himalaya, Outsider Writers, Creativity Connection, ESC!, Small Press Review, Quill and Parchment, The World Audience Review, Notes From the Underground, Axe Factory, Poetry Dispatch, and The Wisconsin River Journal. His poetry has been accepted for publication in Gloom Cupboard’s forthcoming print edition, as well as Canary, Heavy Bear Three, Concrete Meat, and Radiant Turnstile. His 2003 electronic chapbook, I’d Rather Be Mexican, has been accepted for print publication by Cervena Barva Press. He also was the Master of Ceremony for the First Annual Barbara Bache-Wiig Poetry Month Reading in Waukesha, as well as a live reading at the Bad Genie Rock Lounge in Milwaukee.
      John Campbell had poems published in the annual anthology of Goose River Press, Waldoboro, Maine. A poem of his entitled, “Finders Keepers” that won $25 in a Free Verse contest a few months ago will be in the 2009 anthology which comes out around Christmastime.

Mid-Central Region

Joan Johannes, Mid-Central Regional VP
800 Ver Bunker Avenue
Port Edwards, WI 54469
joanjeff@wctc.net

      Poets from the Mid-Central Region attending the Spring Conference were Linda Aschbrenner, Bruce Dethlefsen, Lincoln Hartford, Joan Wiese Johannes, Jeffrey Johannes, Lucy Rose Johns, Linda Lee Konichek, and Michael Kriesel.
       Michael Kriesel was awarded the first place WFOP Muse Prize and trophy for his poem “Hidden Snow.”
       Linda Aschbrenner received a lifetime membership to WFOP in appreciation for her support of poetry by founding, editing, and publishing Free Verse, Issues 1 through 100.
       Bruce Dethlefsen read from his new book, Breather, at McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids on April 9th. He will also be featured at the Original Voice series on July 2nd at the Coloma Hotel.
       Barbara Cranford conducted a poetry workshop in Hancock in May. Poets included in the anthology Write Away! edited by Barb Cranford read at the Thimbleberry book store in Marshfield on May 29nd, and will read at the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, June 11th, at 7 p.m. Current WFOP poets included in the anthology are Linda Aschbrenner, Barb Cranford, Julie Eger, Phil Hansotia, Mary Lou Judy, Linda Lee Konichek, Lou Roach, Kris Rued-Clark, and Sue Twiggs.
       Joan Wiese Johannes and Jeffrey Johannes were the featured readers on April 2nd at the Coloma Hotel in Coloma, and on April 30th at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay.
       Beverly Scott and Michael Kriesel have poems featured in the advertising flier for the 2010 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar.

Northeast Region

Sarah Rose Thomas, Northeast Regional VP
970 School Place
Green Bay, WI 54303
psychopsychosarah@yahoo.com

      The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County has initiated the Dickinson Poetry Series on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at 10341 Water Street in Ephraim. Each evening will feature one poet followed by an open mic. Summer readings will feature Cynthia B. Johnson (read May 13th), Hanne Gault (June 10th), David Clowers (July 7th), Tom Toerpe (August 12th). Readings are open to the public. Check uufdc.org for additional information.
      Kathryn Gahl’s poem and essay appear in A Call to Nursing, a humanities anthology published by Kaplan (2009). She participated in a reading at the Windhover Center of the Arts, Fond du Lac, on Thursday, May 7th. Gahl, a recent poetry finalist at the journals Lumina and Chatauqua, was also a finalist in the James Richey Short Story Contest. Her recently released Life Drawing Class (The Cottage Corollary, 2009) weaves published poems with original watercolors. It is available through the WFOP on-line store.
      Michael Kriesel’s sestina “Hidden Snow” won the 2009 WFOP Muse Prize at the Spring conference in Oconomowoc April 25th. His article on the Wisconsin Justified Poem appears in the current issues of Rosebud, Wisconsin People & Ideas, Chiron Review, Small Press Review, and Free Verse. His poem “Over The Rainbow” was a finalist in North American Review’s 2009 Hearst Competition, and appears in the April issue. He has poems in recent or forthcoming issues of Rosebud, Wisconsin People & Ideas, Free Verse, Nerve Cowboy, and Chiron Review.
      Barbara Larsen, Estella Lauter, and Sharon Auberle were featured as poets who have either recently published or are working on new books at the April 18th Poetry Month reading at the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Library. These poets joined others as featured readers during the May 17th service at the Unitarian Church in Sister Bay.
       The Wallace Poetry group sponsored the 10th annual Poetry/ Art show at the Meadows Gallery, Scandia Village, in Sister Bay during the month of May. The theme was “Journeys.” There was a tea and reading of the poems by the participants on May 20th. WFOP members involved are: Joan Traver Apple, Sharon Auberle, Anita Beckstrom, Loraine Brink, Hanne Gault, Phil Hansotia, Barbara Larsen, Estella Lauter, June Nirschl, and Judy Roy.

Northwest Region

Jan Chronister, Northwest Regional VP
3931 S. County Road O
Maple, WI 54854
janchronister@yahoo.com

      The annual Seeley Poetry Slam will take place on Saturday, July 11th (in Seeley, Wisconsin). This event has cash prizes, one of which is sponsored by WFOP. It is part of the Namekagon Arts Festival. For more information, please contact Jan Chronister at janchronister@yahoo.com.
      Jan Chronister has had poems accepted for publication in Talking Stick Volume 18, Heart, and will have a poem on a postcard in the latest series produced by Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf, Lines in the Sand. Jan is teaching a Poetry Tuneup class through WITC-Ashland beginning June 22nd. More information is available at witc.edu.

submitted by Jan Chronister, Northwest Regional VP

South Region

Frank Konieska, South Regional VP
3633 Honey Creek Rd.
Burlington, WI 53105
konieska@tds.net

South-Central Region

James Roberts, South-Central Regional VP
324 Kedzie Street #30
Madison, WI 53704
jrob52162@aol.com

       As my old compadre, the late actor Ben Johnson always used to say: “this has been one downright ‘high-lacious’ spell.” So much going on, so little time. Nevertheless, here’s the round-up for all you poetry cowpokes. Giddyup, little dogies... And if I missed some stray critters, let me know.
       James P. Roberts was the featured reader at the Edgar Allan Poe Bicentennial celebration at the Village Booksmith in Baraboo on January 9th. He read “The Cask of Amontillado” and also brought some Amontillado to share with the audience (bricks and mortar were optional).
       Lincoln Hartford read pieces celebrating the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial and was joined by jazz/gospel singer J. P. Olson on February 6th at the Village Booksmith in Baraboo.
       On February 12th there was a reading at Avol’s Bookstore in Madison featuring Mark Kraushaar, winner of The Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry for Falling Brick Kills Local Man, and WFOP stalwarts Richard Roe and Richard Merelman.
       On Friday, February 13th was held the 15th Annual Love & Lust Poetry and Song, featuring Andrea Potos, Katrin Talbot, and others, along with the women’s acapella group, Ancestra, at A Room of One’s Own Bookstore in Madison.
       Robin Chapman continues to stay busy. She read poems of love and mathematics from recent anthologies at the Chaos and Complex Systems Seminar, University of Wisconsin–Madison on February 17th, appeared on WORT’s Radio Literature program on February 26th and read from her latest book Abundance on February 27th at A Room of One’s Own in Madison where she was joined by Jesse Lee Kercheval reading fiction from The Alice Stories.
       Katrin Talbot continues to mix her poetry with music and photography in conjunction with Sundance Cinemas and Edenfred. On February 26th she read poetry at a reception held at Bistro 608 and later the same evening joined Paul Rowe, baritone, presenting an evening of song, including Georges Enescu’s 7 Chansons de Clement Marot, a beautiful song cycle based on love poems of Marot’s from the 1500s, with a photoessay by Katrin at Mills Concert Hall, UW-Madison.
       Friday, March 6th was a very special night: “Poems for the Wicked.” Members of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, F.J. Bergmann, C.X. Dillhunt, Ronnie Hess, Catherine Jagoe, Mark Kliewer, Richard Merelman, Gillian Nevers, Adam Gregory Pergament, James P. Roberts, Eve Robillard, Richard Roe, Angela Rydell, Shoshauna Shy, Sandy Stark, Richard Swanson, Katrin Talbot, Jeanne Tomasko, Timothy Walsh, Linda Woito, Laurel Yourke, and Susan Elbe (reading for the late Judith Strasser) read original poems that delved into themes depicted in Something Wicked This Way Comes, on view in the main galleries of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison.
       On March 12th there was a reading by John Lehman, joined by members of the Prairie Fire Poetry Quartet—Robin Chapman, Richard Roe, and Shoshauna Shy—in a program titled “Stage Left” to celebrate the launch of his new book titled Acting Lessons at Avol’s Bookstore in Madison.
       David Scheler read on Friday, March 13th (ooh, scary!) at the Village Booksmith in Baraboo. He was joined by Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Marilyn Taylor.
       March 22nd featured a poetry reading by Bruce Dethlefsen, author of Breather, and Robin Chapman, author of Abundance, at Avol’s in Madison.
       March 24th saw a poetry reading by Jan Chronister, author of Target Practice, Jeanie Tomasko, and Steve Tomasko at Avol’s in Madison.
       April 26th featured a poetry reading by Madison Poet Laureate Fabu and The Hibiscus Collective at Avol’s Bookstore.
       April 30th and May 1st saw WFOP members James P. Roberts, Mark Lilleleht, Josephine Zell, F.J. Bergmann, Judith Zukerman, Katrin Talbot, and Palmer Haynes read poetry and participate in group sessions at the Mount Horeb Middle School Poetry Cafe. Thanks to Tracey Gross for continuing this splendid program.
       Alice D’Alessio won a first prize in the Earth’s Daughters chapbook contest. Her book will be out later in 2009.

Submitted by James P. Roberts, South-Central Regional VP

      Shoshauna Shy read at the Windhover Center for the Arts in Fond du Lac with Ron Czerwien, at Avol’s with the Prairie Fire Poetry Quartet to celebrate John Lehman’s book launch, and at Room of One’s Own for the launch of Eating Her Wedding Dress: Poems About Clothing, released by Ragged Sky Press. She also was part of a presentation with the Prairie Fire Poetry Quartet at the Minhas Craft Brewery in Monroe. Poems selected for the latest Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf project on the theme “Lines in the Sand” are now in production on postcards and will be available this summer.
      Ronnie Hess has poems forthcoming in Poetica, Albatross, Tipton Poetry Journal, and Poetry Jumps off the Shelf.
      Sara Parrell was an invited reader at Womanmade Gallery in Chicago on May 17th from 2-4 p.m. for the opening of the “Celebrating the Body” exhibit.

West-Central Region

Sandra Lindow, West-Central Regional VP
320 W. Tyler Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
lindowleaf@yahoo.com

       Robins are back and the Chippewa Valley is dizzy with daffodils.
       March 12th, Dina St. Louis held a reading of Zebra, her new poetry collection.
       March 22nd, Bill Wiese participated in the White Pine Spring Equinox Open Mic at the Raw Deal in Menomonie.
       March 25th, twenty-five sets of Chippewa Valley artists and poets celebrated the beginning of the fourth Vision and Word collaborative project. Dina St. Louis, Candace Hennekens, and Yvette Flaten participated in the Eau Claire Regional Arts Series Jazz at Five series at the State Theater in Eau Claire.
       During spring break, Sandra Lindow moderated a poetry panel and read poetry at the International Conference of the Fantastic in the Arts in Orlando, Florida. Memorial Day she will be reading poetry at WisCon Science Fiction Convention in Madison. July 2nd she will be giving a poetry workshop at CONvergence in Minneapolis. Two of her speculative poems, “Of Lycanthropy and Lilacs” and “The Hedge Witch’s Upgrade” will be published in upcoming issues of Asimov’s.
       Bruce Taylor’s poem, “The Artist,” based on the original Korean of Han Yongwun, was published in The Ecco Anthology of International Poetry, edited by Ilya Kaminsky and Susan Harris, Words Without Borders, March 2009.
       The spring issue of UW–LaCrosse’s literary journal, Steam Ticket, published David Blackey’s poem, “What To Do When Geese Attack.”

submitted by Sandra Lindow, West-Central Regional VP

See print Museletter or .pdf for Fiscal Third Quarter Financial Report Museletter Advertising Rates Books for Sale in Poetry Publications section..................... $5.00 per listing (This price is not discounted to Members. Discount is built into the one free listing per book, per year) Business Card ....... $25.00 Quarter Page ........ $50.00 Half Page.............. $100.00 Prices are for camera-ready advertisements. Specialty designs or advertisement setups at a price to be determined. Contact Museletter editor if interested in purchasing advertisements. Door County Retreat for Rent South Nest Three bedroom, two bath house near Cana Island. A quiet, restful, woodland retreat located in the boreal forest just off County Q. Woodburning fireplace, convenient location for all of northern Door County. 8734 E. Moonlight Bay Drive, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202-0340. (920) 839-2191 or mrsticket@dcwis.com Rates: $50/night/room or $125/whole house/night.

"Fellowship" T-Shirts, Sweatshirts & Mugs Available Sport your Fellowship membership proudly, and support us as well! The WFOP logo now graces T-shirts and coffee mugs. The "T" is a basic-white model, silkscreened front and back in black. L and XL for $10; XXL costs $11. The mug, at $5, is white ceramic with fired-on black printing. To purchase, contact membership chair Gillian Nevers at (608) 255-5080 or nevers@wisc.edu. Wisconsin Poets' Calendar B.J. Best and Charles Nevsimal, 2010 co-editors Calendar Info Page Order Form Conference Rotation Schedule Spring 2009 April 24-25 South Fall 2009 November 13-15 East-Milwaukee Spring 2010 April 23-24 Northeast Fall 2010 November 5-6 Central-Fox Valley