Join the Neopoet online poetry workshop and community to improve as a writer, meet fellow poets, and showcase your work. Sign up, submit your poetry, and get started.
Background
I've been reading and writing poems for 50 years; Neopoet seems like a great way connect with other poets and enjoy the sharing. For a pen name I choose that of Eumolpus, the poet in The Satryicon by Petronius during the time of Nero; an age very similar now!
I am also a musician on nylon string guitar and I use a a combination of classical, samba, and jazz playing at readings, which makes a unique poetry experience.
I speak French well, and some Spanish (enough to enjoy translation) Poetry is the closest thing i have to religion.
I am also a musician on nylon string guitar and I use a a combination of classical, samba, and jazz playing at readings, which makes a unique poetry experience.
I speak French well, and some Spanish (enough to enjoy translation) Poetry is the closest thing i have to religion.
Qualities
I have a considerable experience and background of reading and writing poetry which comes with age. I understand the muse that drives people to write, and the different influences used by poets.
Diplomacy
I am currently finishing up the process of becoming a Poetry Therapist, which requires deep listening and careful sensitive criticism. My comments on the poems are aimed at the level I perceive the poet to be writing in.
Leadership
I am currently head of the DC Poetry Workshop and am a good facilitator that helps structure and guide the conversation about presented works. I also ran a very large textile business for 40 years with 250 employees, and I was considered a strong and compassionate leader.
Availability
as above...
Future Direction
There are some spectacular poems being presented on NeoPoet, and some very amateur ones as well. There are not enough new voices, too often we are reading the same poets. I would suggest a poet only post one poem a week, the best they've got to offer for that week. That would be 50 poems a year, quite enough. So for me the largest challenge is to continually get more poets from around the world to participate. Perhaps we can also spotlight a particular poet of the week, one who is universally accepted as a great and major voice either today or from the past. This way we could introduce to some of the Neopoets voices they might not be aware of. I am often surprised how so many of today's poets are not familiar with so much of the tenants of "great" poetry. This is also due to the lack of literature being taught in schools.
Alternative Role
I am retired with some time on my hands. I am open to a variety of tasks, and would love to help out.