National Poetry Month shines light on the recluse

Published 12:56 pm Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Crab Creek Review comes to Kingston.

The Crab Creek Review, a quarter-century-old journal of poetry and short fiction, has come to Kingston.

A pair of North Kitsap residents, and poets, Kelli Russell Agodon and Annette Spaulding-Convy have taken the volunteer editorial reins from former editor Natasha Moni, effectively “placing” the longtime Seattle-area journal’s operation in Kingston. Which, given the wealth of writers scattered throughout the woods of North Kitsap, isn’t all too surprising. But it’s fittingly ironic given that it’s a population (not to mention a publication) that you might not ever have known existed, except during National Poetry Month.

There is so much irony already ever-present in poetry.

While the poems are often emotionally exhibitionist, the poet is often reclusive and reserved. The deepest expressions are woven into the most brief of stanzas. And while you couldn’t really make much of a monetary-driven living off poetry, for some poetry is life.

Never are all of these ironies better exemplified or emphasized than during this month — National Poetry Month. Each year in April, book stores and libraries nationwide ditch out on prose to celebrate the National Month of the Poem with poetry-driven events and readings and combinations thereof.

In the North End of Kitsap, the list of poetry events is intense.

On Bainbridge one day this month, you could technically spend almost the entire day divulging in poetry by attending three different National Poetry Month events, starting at 1 p.m. (See sidebar.)

One of those events is the Crab Creek Review reading at Eagle Harbor Books, around 3 p.m. April 19, where they’ll be celebrating the editorial “move” to Kingston as well as the journal’s 25-year history and the new spring/summer edition.

“(Crab Creek) was one of the first journals I submitted to,” Agodon said, adding, “one of the first journals I was rejected from.”

Both she and Spaulding-Convy remember Crab Creek from their early days of writing, as one of the leading literary journals in an already intensely literary region. Having taken on editorship of the Northwest-centric (though nationwide reaching journal) Agodon and Spaulding-Convy have found just how many writers there are in these woods.

“You can’t throw a stick without hitting one,” Agodon joked.

I asked them why it is that the Northwest seems to harbor such a high concentration of writers and poets that only tend to come out for workshops and readings and National Poetry Month.

“Coming from California, personally, the weather was a big influence for me,” Spaulding-Convy said. “I’m more self-reflective here than I was there. It’s a very self-reflective environment, I think.”

“And you’re forced to stay inside and write,” Agodon added.

Whatever the cause may be, each year there are throngs of free, poetry-driven events scattered across northern Kitsap (from the Poulsbohemian to the Island) in April. And now, North Kitsap is home to Crab Creek as well.

For more on Crab Creek, visit www.crabcreekreview.org.

LOCAL NATIONAL POETRY MONTH EVENTS

APRIL 11

Poulsbohemian Armchair Poetry Readings

One of the Peninsula’s longest-sustaining regular poetry readings, featuring David Hecker, Paul Hunter and Michael Grant at 7 p.m. April 11, followed per usual by an open mic, 19003 Front St. in Poulsbo.

APRIL 14

Third Annual Bainbridge Island Poetry Slam

An island-ized rendition of urban spoken word battles, local poets match wits and words at 7:30 p.m. April 14 at the BPA Playhouse, 200 Madison Ave. Bainbridge. Free drink for contestants. $5 suggested donation. Sign up at (206) 842-8569 or kthorne@bainbridgeperformingarts.org.

APRIL 13, 18, 19 & 28

David Wagoner’s ‘First Class’

A one-act play by poet and University of Washington Professor Emeritus David Wagoner, portraying his teacher and mentor the legendary poet Theodore Roethke. Island Theatre presents at 6:30 p.m. April 13 at the Poulsbo Library; 7:30 p.m. April 18 and 19 at the Bainbridge Library and 7 p.m. April 28 at the Port Orchard Library. All free. Info: www.krl.org, www.islandtheatre.org

APRIL 19

The Annual San Carlos Reading

Legendary quarter-century old once-a-year literary affair at the San Carlos Restaurant at 279 Madison Ave. on Bainbridge. Emceed by local legend Bob McAllister 1-4 p.m. April 19. Free.

Crab Creek Review Reading

Celebrating the newest issue of the Northwest-based, poetry-emphatic literary journal at 3 p.m. April 19 at Eagle Harbor Books, 151 Winslow Way on Bainbridge. Free. Info: www.crabcreekreview.org.

APRIL 26

Sakai Student Poets

Poems read by students of local poet Nancy Rekow and Sakai Intermediate School at 2 p.m. April 26 at the Bainbridge Library. Free. Info: www.krl.org.

APRIL 28

Celebrating Northwest poet Gary Snyder

A reading in honor of legendary Northwest poet Gary Snyder at 7 p.m. April 28 at the Bainbridge Library. Free Info: www.krl.org.

APRIL 30

Island Limerick Contest

The second annual all-call limerick contest with entries all featuring Bainbridge place names, read by the authors at 7:30 p.m. April 30 at Eagle Harbor Books. Free.

EVERY TUESDAY AT 7 PM Barnes and Noble at the Kitsap Mall will host an open mic for local kids to read their poems. Free.

ALL MONTH LONG Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo welcomes poetry featuring Poulsbo Place names for a community display.