Who was there? Coffee with the Poets filled the room

Wednesday was Coffee with the Poets day in Hayesville, NC at Cafe Touche.

Mary Mike Keller, one of the Writers Circle faculty, along with a long time friend, Glenda Barrett, each read their original work for a packed house.

This event is sponsored by Netwest and has been running since 2007. Over the years we enjoyed local poets and writers as well as guests who traveled many miles to read here.

I am excited that two of my students, Nadine Justice and Barb Gabriel read at open mic and their work was evidently appreciated by the warm applause each received.

We gave a door prize yesterday - a copy of The Best of Poetry Hickory, an anthology of poets who read in 2011 at Poetry Hickory held at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse in Hickory, NC. This event is led by Scott Owens, poet and NCWN rep for that area.

The winner of the book was none other than Nancy Simpson, mentor to many of us and teacher of poetry.


Robert S. King, FutureCycle Press, and Dot James, journalist, writer and poet



Mary Mike Keller reading her poetry and a spooky essay

Glenda Barrett, poetry book, When the Sap Rises, Finishing Line press



Nancy Simpson visits with Carolyn Johnson and Joan Howardl



COFFEE WITH THE POETS WILL FEATURE POET MARY MICHELLE KELLER

All practicing poets within driving distance are invited to join our monthly celebration of poetry August 12, 2009 on the square in Hayesville, NC at Phillips and Lloyd Book Store. 10:30 a.m. Arrive early to get a seat and to sign up for the open mic reading.

The featured poet is Mary Michelle Keller of Young Harris, Georgia. There will be an open mic reading where each attending poet can read a poem. Welcome. Do come.

Coffee and delicious desserts are provided by Phillips and Lloyd for a small price.

Mary Michelle Keller is a long time member of N.C. Writers Network West. She serves as the publicity chairman and has been hosting Coffee With the Poets.

She says about her writing: "Words are like small blue eggs that I incubate and hope of giving them life that can touch and be felt."

Keller's poems have been published in The Mountain Lynx, Freeing Johan III and IV, and Lights in the Mountains. Her poem "As The Deer" is forthcoming from Winding Path Publishing, Netwest's new anthology titled ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalchian Mountains.