Poetry & Coffee: BETWEEN THE SILENCE OF ALMOST INFINITE POSSIBILITY
saturday, august 28, 2021
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
Bring a poem that illuminates silence. Or that speaks to what speaks when no one is speaking. Bring a poem that is about the in between of moments. Bring a poem that gets into some small crack in life that only poets pay attention to. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome. **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrc-uoqTgvHtLhdlqiJTOEO1khA_iLSW9_
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
PAST POETRY & COFFEE:
Poetry & Coffee: FOUND POETRY
wednesday, june 30, 2021
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
Bring a poem that you know is a Found Poem in the strictest sense, that is, a poem like William Carlos Williams’s “This is just to say”–a note for his wife that he broke into lines and turned into a poem. Or bring a poem that you’ve literally found: a photocopy of a poem stuffed between pages in a second-hand book or a photo of a poem you’ve seen on the train or bus. Bring a poem that you found unexpectedly, perhaps in a film or cartoon. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome. **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcofu-przwqHNOC61hTjD1whhmDdJ0-54YF
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: TRANSLATION
tuesday, may 25, 2021
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
La poesia tradotta. Un poème traduit. Das Gedicht. 역시. переведенное стихотворение. Bring a Poem in Translation. In the most literal sense, a poem not written in a language you understand, but translated into you one that you do. Bring a poem that talks about translation, or a poem that translates for us as we read. Bring a poem that translates a concept or an idea into something more easily understood, or a poem that renders something simple into something unintelligible. Bring a poem that you find untranslatable. Bring a poem that you’ve translated (into English) from another language you speak. Interpret the theme as broadly as you like, just remember that the poem you bring shouldn’t be your own (though a poem that you’ve translated is okay). Bring the original and the translation [if it’s short, perhaps there’s time to hear both!] There is no wrong poem. All are welcome **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rde6trT8rHNIZ3vrehRiGxxn1aX0d_ay1
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: POEMS FROM YOUR LIFE POETRY COLLECTION
friday, april 30, 2021
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
At every Poetry & Coffee, new participants receive a personalized binder for their own “Life Poetry Collection.” The idea originated with the poet Robert Pinsky who said, “One should be conscious of one’s own sources of inspiration. Everybody should gather their favorite poems together as an exercise in self-knowledge.” The “Life Poetry Collection” is a lifelong project and, essentially, if you handed your collection to someone they would have a sense of who you are and what is important to you by reading the poems it contains.
In honor of National Poetry Month, you are invited to share one poem from your Life Poetry Collection. Choose a poem that says “this is the poem that I am” or “this poem is about what is important in my life” or “this is the poem I have taped to my wall” or, simply, “this is my favorite poem.” There is no wrong poem; all are welcome!
**The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpde6trzMpE90A2d0y3sW2UXREi4vpA9ay
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: WTF
wednesday, march 31, 2021
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
This month’s Poetry & Coffee is for the brave and crazy! We are celebrating poems that you read over and over and just never understood. Poems that made you say… WTF?! Maybe that means everyone else loved it but you just never did. Maybe it means that there were lines in it that you found baffling or opaque. Maybe it’s a poem that got lots of recognition but you could never understand why. Maybe it’s a poem that you just could not find one thing in to identify with. Maybe it’s a poem that you find extremely difficult to read closely and would benefit from a group reading of it. Bring a WTF poem! Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome!
**The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlf-urqDotGdVuM5wy6coWC_VPQrIQZuqe
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: SEX!
tuesday, february 23, 2021
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
Bring a poem of passion, of desire, of unrequited love – or lust! A poem that’s a little sexy, a little daring, or maybe one that “sings the body electric.” A poem about the birds, the bees, the flowers, and the trees. Any and all strange and wonderful Valentines are welcome. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome.
**The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsce2rqzwrHdNziJj1PNinifw2fgRt0niv
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: PERSISTENCE
friday, january 29, 2021
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
Bring any poem that you feel is about persistence. Maybe it’s about people persisting. Maybe it’s about nature persisting. Maybe it’s about an event in history. Maybe it’s about current events. Maybe it’s about trying, or courage, or tenacity, or what’s right, or what’s wrong. Maybe it’s a poem about persistence in life or a poem about persistence in love. Bring any poem that speaks to you in some way about persistence. Interpret it broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome.
**The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMof-yqqj0oG9ZbUZhF0sMJOpIzeK8j2mOv
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: SEASONS
friday, december 4, 2020
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
Bring any poem that you feel is about seasons. Maybe it’s about actual seasons – summer, fall, winter, spring. Maybe it’s a poem about a season of life. Maybe it’s the passage of time. Maybe it’s about how human beings have seasons. Maybe it’s a poem about transitions. Bring any poem that speaks to you in some way about seasons. Interpret it broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome.
**The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udO-hrjkvHta1qwhZJoGJaDki9A71sroO
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: JOY
friday, september 25, 2020
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm EST
Bring any poem of JOY you wish you talk about. Maybe it’s about joy. Maybe it’s a poem that makes you feel joyful. Maybe it’s a poem about how joy is complicated. Or simple. Maybe it’s a poem by a poet named Joy. Bring any poem that speaks to you in some way about joy. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome.
**The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udO-hrjkvHta1qwhZJoGJaDki9A71sroO
After you register, Zoom will provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. Save that link! You can also click the “add to calendar” option and it will put it in your calendar with the link. I will resend the confirmation emails 30 minutes before the meeting, just in case.
Poetry & Coffee: UNMASKED
friday, august 28, 2020
A Zoom discussion
7pm-10pm
We have not had a Poetry & Coffee in quite some time!
It is good to be back. I hope you will join us.
Bring any poem you wish you talk about. Maybe it’s a poem that you feel speaks to this moment. Maybe it’s the poem that has been your life raft the last few months. Maybe it’s your favorite poem. Maybe it’s even the poem that you always wish you understood but have no idea what it means. (Those are often favorites for discussion!) Bring any poem that speaks to you in some way. (Or maybe remains masked – and we will unmask it!) There is no wrong poem. All are welcome. **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This is a free event. Please register here and you will receive the Zoom information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclc-mhrD8tHdN28k957dfMhXvqRAxN48-Q
Poetry & Coffee usually meets over food and drinks and that’s a very important part of our dynamic. We are informal, we break bread together, there is more intimacy in sharing food and poetry than in just having a discussion in a formal setting. Since we cannot share a meal together at this time, I encourage you to have food and drinks of your own as we talk together via Zoom.
Poetry & Coffee: THE POEM THAT SAVED ME
saturday, march 30, 2019
Bay Shore, NY
6pm-9pm
This event is in a private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and you will be provided with the address and directions.
Bring the poem that saved you. Do you have a poem that was a life raft for you? Lifted you out of a dark time? Gave you the wisdom you needed in a moment? Made you laugh when you had nothing to smile about? Understood you when it felt like no one did? Or maybe it literally saved your life. Bring a poem that has saved you in some way. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4109902
EVERY WAR HAS TWO LOSERS:
A film on poetry and peace &
a fundraiser to benefit veterans
“Here’s how to count the people ready to do right: One. One. One. …” – William Stafford
Please join us for dinner and a viewing of the film “Every War Has Two Losers” (32 minutes), followed by a discussion of poetry by William Stafford.
Reserve your ticket and make donations here.
“Every War Has Two Losers” is a “poet’s meditation on peace” and is based on the journals of poet William Stafford. Stafford was a conscientious objector in World War Two. Facing war, Stafford chose peace. He challenged deeply held beliefs: Why do we believe war is inevitable? Can you win a war? Stafford was confined to civilian service camps during the war and in the camps he began a lifetime of writing as a witness to alternative ways to reconcile human conflicts. For all those who think ‘peacemaking’ is naive or wishful, Stafford offers powerful arguments that the most pragmatic thing we can do – and how to do it – is to seek alternatives to war.
If you wish, bring a poem by William Stafford and make copies for the group. Bring the one that most speaks to you. A reading and discussion of the poems will following the viewing of the film.
This event is a dinner my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and I will provide you with the address and directions.
There is never a charge to attend Poetry & Coffee. However, this month we will be collecting $10 (plus 1.34 for Brown Paper Ticket fees) for every ticket reserved and the money will be donated to the Military Resilience Foundation**.
We will also be collecting donations of NEW socks for “Johnny Sox.” They deliver new socks to homeless veterans and the homeless in Suffolk County. Buy your own or purchase on this registry and have them sent directly to the venue: https://smile.amazon.com/baby-reg/valerieg-keane-september-2018-middlevillage/O90AGGIFPQXL
**The Military Resilience Foundation (MRF) was formed to proactively engage service members, veterans, and military family members in community-based activities with the goal of fostering connection, support, and mutual understanding both for those who served and our larger civilian population. Since January of 2014, Military Resilience Foundation has served over 1,300 military members, veterans, and military family members in the area of behavioral health and wellness. MRF has helped to improve overall quality of life and sustainability for veterans experiencing issues related to identity, PTS, homelessness, emotional imbalance, and other transitional struggles. MRF programs are all entirely inclusive, and serve veterans of all generations, branches, and discharge statuses. MRF seeks to reduce the risk of suicide among those who serve or have served through positive engagement and relational experiences. MRF delivers a full spectrum of care for military members/veterans through this model of preventative services, combined with intermediary needs assistance, as well as critical-care interventions when appropriate. https://www.milresilience.com
You are invited to join the Poetry & Coffee team for Book Trivia Night on Friday, November 9th at 7pm!
You don’t have to be good at trivia. You just have to like having fun, winning prizes, eating good food, drinking good drinks, and being with fantastic people to support the literary journal of Queens!
Click here to join our team.
Follow the link above and click on “tickets.” Use password: stanza
Poetry & Trail Mix: POETRY HIKE
saturday, september 29, 2018
YOU MUST HAVE PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED AT LEAST ONE POETRY & COFFEE EVENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS HIKE.
A short hike through beautiful Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Pound Ridge, NY with in-woods poetry readings and writing prompts for writers and non-writers alike. There will also be periods of silent hiking and walking meditation.
Free transportation to and from the reservation. Tickets are limited to 4 people, unless we have another volunteer who will drive additional people. Please contact poetryandcoffeenyc@gmail.com if you wish to volunteer as an additional driver.
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3598497
Poetry & Coffee: POEMS THAT MAKE GOOD TROUBLE
monday, september 24, 2018
Middle Village, NY 11379
6pm-9pm
This event is a dinner my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and you will be provided with the address and directions.
Rep. John Lewis said, “Sometimes you have to get in the way. You have to make some noise by speaking up and speaking out against injustice and inaction.” He encourages us to “get in trouble – good trouble, necessary trouble.” Bring a poem that MAKES GOOD TROUBLE. Racism, social injustice, and willful ignorance are right in our own backyard. Bring a poem that speaks out against it. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3598520
Poetry & Coffee: END OF SUMMER POEMS
friday, august 31, 2018
BBQ and discussion in Middle Village, Queens
This event is a dinner in my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and I will provide you with the address and directions.
Bring a poem about summer or a poem that speaks to the summer you had. Maybe it’s a poem about summer weather, or the garden, or summer food. Maybe it’s a poem about a place you traveled to or what New York is like in summer. Maybe it’s a poem about something you experienced or things you have been thinking about or what the country is going through. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3597502
Poetry & Coffee: REMEMBERING NEW YORK
saturday, may 26, 2018
BBQ and discussion in Middle Village, Queens
This event is a dinner in my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and I will provide you with the address and directions.
Bring a poem about New York City. It can be about the city itself, the people in the city, a place in NYC, a historic event, the flavor of NYC, or it can be a poem that just has a mention of New York in it. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3425724
Poetry & Coffee: I AM THIS POEM
saturday, april 28, 2018
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Avenue
Astoria, NY 11105
11am-2pm
In honor of National Poetry Month, you are invited to come share a poem that, in some way, represents YOU. Choose a poem that says “this is the poem that I am” or “this poem is about what is important in my life” or “this is the poem I have taped to my wall” or, simply, “this is my favorite poem.” There is no wrong poem; all are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Our hope is that you will leave with new poems to add to your own collections and with a deep sense of how poetry is a catalyst for inspiration and connection with the human experience.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://qedastoria.com/products/poetry-coffee-1
Poetry & Coffee: POEM AS MEDITATION
friday, march 30, 2018
Dinner and discussion in Middle Village, Queens
This event is a dinner in my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and I will provide you with the address and directions.
Bring a poem that is, to you, a meditation. Meditation can be awareness. Meditation can be looking at the truth without judgment. Meditation can be listening. Meditation can be silence. Meditation can be clarity. Meditation can be to contemplate something deeply. Bring a poem that is meditation. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3367414
Poetry & Coffee: REFLECT & RENEW
friday, december 29, 2017
Dinner and discussion in Middle Village, Queens
This event is a dinner in my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and I will provide you with the address and directions.
Bring a poem about 2017. Bring a poem about 2018. Bring a poem about where we’ve been and/or where you’d like to see us go. Bring a poem about your own personal experience this year and/or what your personal hopes are for the coming one. Bring a poem about our challenges, our hopes, our community, our losses, our celebrations. Bring a poem about looking back and/or looking ahead. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3198075
Poetry & Coffee: WOMEN & POETRY
tuesday, november 28, 2017
Dinner and discussion in Middle Village, Queens
This event is a dinner in my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you. Please reserve a ticket and I will provide you with the address and directions.
Bring a poem about a woman. Or many women. Or ALL women. A poem about being a woman. About violence/abuse against women. Oppression of women. About womanhood. Coming into womanhood. The feminine. Feminism. Any poem that is WOMAN! Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
POST-THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: In gratitude, Poetry & Coffee will be collecting non-perishable food items on November 28th at the event. Please bring any non-perishable food items you wish to donate. We will be donating them to the Community Alliance Initiative food pantry in Ridgewood, NY.
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3172490
Join the Poetry & Coffee team for Book Trivia Night on November 15th!
You don’t have to be good at trivia. You just have to like having fun, winning prizes, eating good food, drinking good drinks, and being with fantastic people to support the literary journal of Queens!
Poetry & Coffee: saturday, october 28, 2017
POETRY OF THE MOMENT
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd Avenue
Astoria, NY 11105
11am-2pm
Bring a poem that you feel is “of the moment.” It can be a poem that you feel represents the current political moment, the societal moment, or this current moment in our collective humanity. Or it can be a poem that you feel represents your own current moment and what is going on in your own heart and mind. Please interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome. **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: sunday, may 28, 2017
POETRY OF THE MOMENT
Poetry discussion & BBQ
Middle Village, Queens
5pm-9pm
Bring a poem that you feel is “of the moment.” It can be a poem that you feel represents the current political moment, the societal moment, or this current moment in our collective humanity. Or it can be a poem that you feel represents your own current moment and what is going on in your own heart and mind. Please interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome. **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
This event is a BBQ at my private home. Food and beverages will be prepared for you.
Please reserve a ticket and we will provide you with the address and directions.
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: saturday, april 15, 2017
POETRY OF PROTEST
Q.E.D., Astoria, NY
12noon-3pm
Bring a protest poem. Bring a poem that spoke out and changed the world. Bring a poem that said no, said yes, said, “I object!” Bring a poem about socio-political issues. Bring a poem that addresses our history or comments on current events. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome.
**The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: tuesday, march 28, 2017
FEMINIST POETRY
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a feminist poem or bring a poem written by a feminist. Please interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome. **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: thursday, january 26, 2017
POLITICAL POETRY
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a political poem. Bring a poem that speaks to social injustice and conscience. Poems that speak to war, to nations, to the State. Patriotic poetry. A poem of witness, a poem of testimony and memory. A poem of overcoming adversity, or of survival and endurance. Please interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome. **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: monday, december 19, 2016
BEGINNINGS
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a poem in the theme of beginnings, cycles, or new life. Please interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
COAT DRIVE: In gratitude, Poetry & Coffee will be collecting new or gently used (freshly laundered, please) coats on December 19th at the event. The donations will be made to the New York Cares Coat Drive. Don’t have a coat to donate? Text COAT to 41444. Just $20 buys a coat for a New Yorker in need.
Poetry & Coffee: monday, november 21, 2016
POEMS OF THANK YOU
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a poem in the theme of “thank you.” There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
FOOD DRIVE: In gratitude, Poetry & Coffee will be collecting non-perishable food items on November 21st at the event. Please bring any non-perishable food items you wish to donate. We will be donating them to the Community Alliance Initiative food pantry in Ridgewood, NY.
Poetry & Coffee: monday, october 24, 2016
POEMS ABOUT ANIMALS
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a poem about an animal or animals. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: monday, september 26, 2016
BACK TO SCHOOL: Poems you never understood- but want to!
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
This month’s Poetry & Coffee is for the brave and crazy! It’s back-to-school time and we are celebrating poems that you read over and over and just never understood. Maybe that means everyone else loved it but you just never did. Maybe it means that there were lines in it that you found baffling or opaque. Maybe it’s a poem that got lots of recognition but you could never understand why. Maybe it’s a poem that you just could not find one thing in to identify with. Maybe it’s a poem that you find extremely difficult to read closely and would benefit from a group reading of it. Bring a poem that you never understood! Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: sunday, august 14, 2016
Potluck Picnic and Poems about Food
Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, NY
1pm-sunset*
*until we discuss all the poems and eat all the food or the sun goes down, whichever comes first!
Bring a poem about FOOD! Bring a poem about greens or beans or nectarines. Bring a poem about eating, dining, or breaking bread. Bring a poem about people who don’t have enough food to eat or people who struggle with food in some way. Bring a poem about feeding people, feeding the world, feeding your own soul. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Reserve your ticket here.
(Rain date sunday, august 21)
Poetry & Coffee: july 25 2016
Poems about Peace
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a poem about peace. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome!
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: june 27 2016
MEN!: Poetry about men
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a poem about a man. Or many men. Or ALL men. A poem about being a man. Manhood. Coming into manhood. The masculine. Masculinity. Any poem that is MAN! Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome!
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: monday, may 23 2016 @ 6pm
FUNNY POETRY
Communitea, LIC
Bring a poem that makes you laugh! There are so many deeply funny, well-crafted poems out there and we don’t read nearly enough of them. Come dispel the myth that poetry is dry, boring, and deadly serious. Gather around the table and have a poem and a laugh! Bring any poem you wish. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Our hope is that you will leave with new poems to add to your own collections and with a deep sense of how poetry is a catalyst for inspiration and connection with the human experience.
Tickets are free but you must have one to attend: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2552084
Poetry & Coffee: april 18 2016
THE POEMS THAT I AM: Poems from your life poetry collection
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
At every Poetry & Coffee, new participants receive a personalized binder for their own “Life Poetry Collection.” The idea originated with the poet Robert Pinsky who said, “One should be conscious of one’s own sources of inspiration. Everybody should gather their favorite poems together as an exercise in self-knowledge.” The “Life Poetry Collection” is a lifelong project and, essentially, if you handed your collection to someone they would have a sense of who you are and what is important to you by reading the poems it contains.
In honor of National Poetry Month, you are invited to come share one poem from your Life Poetry Collection. Choose a poem that says “this is the poem that I am” or “this poem is about what is important in my life” or “this is the poem I have taped to my wall” or, simply, “this is my favorite poem.” There is no wrong poem; all are welcome! **The only rule is that the poem cannot be your own work.**
Our hope is that you will leave with new poems to add to your own collections and with a deep sense of how poetry is a catalyst for inspiration and connection with the human experience.
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: march 21 2016 | WOMAN!
Communitea, Long Island City, NY
6-9pm
Bring a poem about a woman. Or many women. Or ALL women. A poem about being a woman. Womanhood. Coming into womanhood. The feminine. Feminism. Any poem that is WOMAN! Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome!
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee: february 21 2016 |
LOVE AND OTHER EUPHEMISMS
Omonia Cafe, Astoria, NY
5-8pm
Bring a poem of passion, of desire, of unrequited love – or lust! A poem that’s a little sexy, a little daring, or maybe one that “sings the body electric.” A poem about the birds, the bees, the flowers, and the trees. Feel free to interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong choice of poem. Any and all strange and wonderful Valentines are welcome. (And, please, don’t forget about limericks!)
Reserve your ticket here.
Special Poetry & Coffee discussion of the book-length poem “Memorial: A Version of Homer’s Iliad” by Alice Oswald. This event will be held at Astoria Bookshop in Astoria, NY. Tickets are free but you must have one to attend. Participants are required to read the book-length poem prior to discussion. The book may be purchased at Astoria Bookshop or ordered online. If purchasing in-store, please call ahead to confirm they have a copy available for you. If purchasing online, please allow approximately 5 days for delivery.
POSTPONED: new date TBA
Past events:
Poetry & Coffee | GRATITUDE. GIVING. FOOD!
sunday, november 22nd 2015
POETRY & COFFEE IS TURNING TWO this month and celebrating with gratitude, giving, and food! Bring a poem that is about giving and generosity. Bring a poem about gratitude or one that just makes you feel thankful to be here. Or bring a poem about food, glorious food! There is no such thing as bringing the “wrong” poem. All poems are the right ones.
FOOD DRIVE: In gratitude, Poetry & Coffee will be collecting non-perishable food items on November 22nd at the event. Please bring any non-perishable food items you wish to donate. We will be donating them to the Community Alliance Initiative food pantry in Ridgewood, NY.
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Coffee | HAUNTED POETRY
saturday, october 24th 2015
HAUNTED POEMS IN THE PARK IN AUTUMN Bring a “haunted poem.” It can be a scary or ghostly or spooky poem. It can be a creepy or unnerving poem. It can be a poem about a place that is haunted, a person that is haunted by someone or something, or a poem that has haunted you and followed you for years. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no such thing as bringing the “wrong” poem. All poems are the right ones.
Hot soup, fresh bread, apple cider, and dessert will be served!
Reserve your ticket here.
Poetry & Apple Picking | saturday, september 26th 2015
A beautiful trip up to Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights, NY for apple picking, cold apple cider, hot cider doughnuts, and a some nourish-your-soul autumn poetry.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO DRIVE.
Free transportation to and from the farm. Tickets are limited to 4 people, unless we have another volunteer who will drive additional people. Please contact poetryandcoffeenyc@gmail.com if you wish to volunteer as an additional driver.
Reserve your ticket: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2261282
9am: Meetup at location in Astoria, NY.
10:15am: Arrive at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm.
10:30am-12:30pm: Apple picking & poetry!
12:30pm: Lunch and doughnuts and apple cider.**
2pm: A visit to the country market at the farm.
2:30pm: Depart Wilkens Farm.
4pm: Arrive back in Astoria at subway station.
More information to follow when you reserve your ticket.
Apples are approximately $20 for a half-bushel. There is no obligation to buy any.
**The bakery at the farm has hot dogs, popcorn, hot or cold apple cider, coffee, water, fresh-made doughnuts, and other baked goods. If you do not wish to have a hot dog for lunch, please bring your own lunch.
~~This is a fruit orchard. There are bees. They will not bother you if you do not bother them but, if you are allergic to bees please come prepared with appropriate medical interventions. If you detest bees mightily, this may not be the trip for you. Participation in this trip is at your own risk.
There is no rain date for this event. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled and ticket holders will be notified by phone by 7am on the day of the event.
More information on the farm and what apples will be in season at http://wilkensfarm.com/
Poetry & Coffee: sunday, september 13 2015 |
GRATITUDE
Brunch at de Mole restaurant, Astoria
Bring the poem that says “thank you.” A poem that is about gratitude. A poem that reminds you to have gratitude. Or one that just makes you feel thankful to be here. Interpret the theme broadly. There is no wrong poem. All are welcome!
Two types of tickets:
Read Poem / Discussion – You bring a poem to read to the group and bring photocopies to share. You also participate in the discussion.
Discussion Only – You participate in the discussion of the poems. You can also just listen, if you wish.
Reserve your ticket: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2261577
Poetry & Trail Mix | POETRY HIKE
saturday, september 5 2015
A short hike through beautiful Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Pound Ridge, NY with in-woods poetry readings and writing prompts for writers and non-writers alike. There will also be periods of silent hiking and walking meditation.
Transportation provided to and from the reservation. There is no charge for this event.
For more information and to reserve your ticket, please go to:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2109975
Poetry & Coffee: thursday, august 20 2015 |
THE POEM THAT SAVED ME
Omonia Cafe, Astoria
Bring the poem that saved you. Do you have a poem that was a life raft for you? Lifted you out of a dark time? Gave you the wisdom you needed in a moment? Made you laugh when you had nothing to smile about? Understood you when it felt like no one did? Or maybe it literally saved your life. Bring a poem that has “saved you” in some way.
Two types of tickets:
Read Poem / Discussion – You bring a poem to read to the group and bring photocopies to share. You also participate in the discussion.
Discussion Only – You participate in the discussion of the poems. You can also just listen, if you wish.
Reserve your ticket: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2100519
Poetry & Trail Mix | POETRY HIKE
saturday, august 8 2015
A short hike through beautiful Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Pound Ridge, NY with in-woods poetry readings and writing prompts for writers and non-writers alike. There will also be periods of silent hiking and walking meditation.
Transportation provided to and from the reservation. There is no charge for this event.
For more information and to reserve your ticket, please go to:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2109975
Please join us at the Queens Lit Fest!
Special presentation by Poetry & Coffee at
1:10 pm on August 1st.
August 1 & 2, 2015 @ LIC Bar in Long Island City, NY
Poetry & Coffee: july 30 2015 | ARS POETICA: Poems about poetry
Omonia Cafe, Astoria
Bring a poem that is about poetry. It can be in praise of poetry, or about what’s wrong with poetry, about what’s right with poetry, about how poetry works, the craft, the art, the effect that poetry has on the human soul – any poem that is about poetry in some way.
Two types of tickets:
Read Poem / Discussion – You bring a poem to read to the group and bring photocopies to share. You also participate in the discussion.
Discussion Only – You participate in the discussion of the poems. You can also just listen, if you wish.
Reserve your ticket: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1857095
sunday, june 28th, 2015 | Unconventional Love Poems
Bring a poem that is NOT a romantic love poem. Bring a poem that is anti-love, about love of oneself, is lusty, is bitter, is hilarious, is about reasons not to love, is naughty, is bizarre, is outlandish – ANYTHING but a conventional love poem.
Free tickets here: Brown Paper Tickets
Poetry & Coffee 