WHAT IS THE POETRY POD PROJECT?

philosophies, deconstruction of obsolete paradigms—all the seemingly unrelated disciplines and genres resolve in the domain of poetry. These expressions are but shadows and mirror images of one another, waltzing and break-dancing to Monk and Mozart. Poetry with a capital P is a universe with hands; it is large enough to hold our collective mind, my mind. Every carnal morsel begins with the breath of thought, and ceases with the final whisper of a crumb falling like a poem ending. Poetry insinuates the ultimate exhalation, is the pause between words and worlds. It is the making of infinity longer into the eternal silent poem. Thank you, Flint for allowing me to serve you with honor. This Annual Poet Laureate Report is a small snap shot of some of my work during this past year. I hope you enjoy the read. Inside you will find:

“Everywhere Poets” was a special edition of my column, in The Flint Courier News, “Tea Time with the Poet Laureate where an emerging literary artists was featured.

I am particularly excited about the work with The “New” McCree Theatre “Pathways of Preparation: Entering The Wonderful World of

Words,

” a story telling career guide for those interested in the writing profession.

I meditated, and prayed, reconfigured my award winning pedagogy to adjust to the extreme circumstances of the pandemic. It worked! “Poetry Paints: Ekphrastic Writing” programming was executed in collaboration with The Mott Warsh Collection, Director and Curator, Stephanie James and Freeman Elementary School, Principal, Anna Johnson. “Poetry Paints” was abundantly successful. Expansion inquiries extend to not only other schools, in Flint, but across the state to Grand Rapids, Michigan!