Recent Poet Populist Events

Poetry Reading at First Mondays @ CAC Gallery, December 7, 2009

Cambridge Poet Populist Jean-Dany Joachim

Jean-Dany Joachim grew up among poets in his native Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Jean-Dany wrote his first poem at age 14. His writing found its voice in the never-ending, complex reality of his country. After moving to the United States nearly two decades ago, he began writing in English, while at the same time exploring poetry in other languages. Jean-Dany has translated poetry from and into: Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, and English. As the creator and producer of the City Night Reading Series, he brings together poets, writers, performers and lovers of literature for the celebration of the art of word in the Boston and NYC areas. Jean-Dany was a 2007 finalist for the first Cambridge Poet Populist. He is the author of Chen Plenn – Leta, and his work has appeared in anthologies and numerous literary magazines. Jean-Dany’s mantra is: La vie est belle! Read Jean-Dany Joachim's biographical information and poetry

Hear Jean-Dany Joachim read samples of his poetry.

:: Learn about the finalists: Cambridge Chronicle: For second year, Cambridge to vote on official poet, 5/7/09

Finalists
The following Cambridge poets were also nominated for Cambridge Poet Populist and selected as finalists by the Poet Populist Advisory Committee.

Mary Buchinger Bodwell’s first poetry publication was released in 2002, and she won her first Cambridge Poetry Award in 2004. She is a member of the New England Poetry Club and leads a monthly writing workshop at Harvard’s Yenching Library. Outside of New England, her work has been published internationally in Upstairs at Duroc (France) and Versal (Netherlands). Her collection Roomful of Sparrows was a semi-finalist in 2008’s New Women’s Voices Series. Last March she read at the Library of Congress, and in 2007 at the Versal V Reception in Amsterdam. Originally from Michigan, Buchinger has spent the past 20 years in the greater Boston area working with linguistics and communications. She holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics and is currently an associate professor of English and Communication Studies at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Read Mary Buchinger Bodwell's Bio and Poetry

Hear Mary Buchinger Bodwell read samples of her poetry.

Timothy Mason has been actively performing poetry and promoting folk music since the mid 1980s. Born in the Midwest, Mr. Mason moved around North America when he was younger but has been a resident of New England for nearly three decades. His poetry is written to be performed aloud, coinciding with his strong background in folk music. He has collaborated with musicians numerous times, including prize-winning guitarist Geoff Bartley to record “Saddam’s Insane” which aired on NPR’s HEAT show at the onset of the first Gulf War. Mr. Mason’s most recent work, Feral Voices published in February 2009, is a 94 page collection of poetry giving a non-human voice and sensibility to the 21st century experience on our shared planet. His first book was released in 1997 and since then he has been active combining poetry and music into a dynamic creations, including a performance at last year’s Ottawa Folk Festival along with multiple CDs. Read Timothy Mason's CV and poetry. More information at www.timothydmason.com

Hear Timothy Mason read samples of his poetry.

Marilène Phipps-Kettlewell is a poet, painter, and short story writer born and raised in Haiti. She was first recognized in 1993 when she won the Grolier prize for poetry. Her collection Crossroads and Unholy Water won the 1999 Crab Orchard Poetry Prize and was also a finalist for the Walt Whitman prize from the Academy of American Poets. Phipps-Kettlewell’s work has also been published in England in 2007 under the title New Caribbean Poetry. She has held fellowships at the Guggenheim Foundation, the Bunting Institute, Harvard University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research, and the Center for the Study of World Religions among others. Her short stories have been featured in Best American Short Stories 2003 and listed in Best American Short Stories 2001. Read Marilène Phipps-Kettlewell's CV and poetry. More information at www.marilenephipps.com

Hear Marilène Phipps-Kettlewell read samples of her poetry.

Information
Phone: (617) 349-4380
E-mail: poetpopulist@cambridgema.gov

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Cambridge Poet Populist 2007-2009
Peter Payack: Cambridge's first Poet Populist!

Learn about Peter Payack's initiative's as Poet Populist here
:: Download 300 dpi press photos

Contribute to a Community Poem

We are looking for uplifting themes of city life, peace, love, community spirit, the past, present, and future of Cambridge. All citizens, school groups, neighborhood centers, senior centers, and youth groups are encouraged to submit two couplets
(a pair of rhymed lines). Poet Populist Peter Payack will arrange the couplets in a “City Poem” to be presented at the end of the year as a gift to the people of Cambridge from the people of Cambridge.

Please send to poetpopulist@cambridgema.gov
1. two couplets (rhymed lines)
2. your name
3. affiliation to Cambridge
Deadline: Monday, May 11, 2009


The Cambridge Poet Populist is an official position for a local poet, chosen by the people to represent poetry for the City of Cambridge. The Poet Populist will facilitate the creation and appreciation of poetry throughout the city for all residents of Cambridge. The Poet Populist will maintain a schedule of public appearances throughout his/her one-year term in the position. This program is sponsored by the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Arts Council, and the Cambridge Public Library.