New poetry collection considers wildness

Lawrence writer Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg will read from her new book of poetry, “Animals in the House,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Raven Bookstore, 6 E. Seventh St.

Mirriam-Goldberg, who recently won a Phoenix Award for Literary Arts, teaches writing workshops and coordinates the transformative language arts program at Goddard College in Vermont. The certified poetry therapist has been published in more than 60 literary journals and is author of “Write Where You Are: How to Use Writing to Make Sense of Your Life” and a collection of poems called “Lot’s Wife.”

“Animals in the House,” which Mirriam-Goldberg says took 16 years to write, considers what’s wild within and around humans.

“I’m interested in what happens when you peel back the layers of culture. Who are we underneath all that?” she says. “I think we connect with what’s wild in us through our dreams, intense emotions and experiences, sometimes just stillness and quiet, certainly through our desires and our fears.”

Event honors supporter of poetry readings

A poetry reading this afternoon honors a former Kansas University English professor who sponsored readings at English department conferences.

George’s Poetry Hour, named for George Wedge, who was a longtime editor of Cottonwood Magazine and Press, will be at 4 p.m. at Aimee’s Coffeehouse, 1025-A Mass.

For many years, beginning in the early ’80s, George’s Poetry Hour was an annual poetry reading he organized at the KU English department’s now-defunct October conference. Wedge taught courses in modern English grammar, literature of addiction and creative writing, among others.

Today’s reading, organized by KU English faculty Brian Daldorph and Phil Wedge, son of George Wedge, will feature Rockhurst University English professor Patricia Cleary-Miller, Washburn University English professor Amy Fleury and KU English professor Deb Unferth.

Lawrence writers honored at author’s club convention

Barbara Curry, Lawrence, was presented with a Service Award at the recent Kansas Authors Club Centennial Convention in Topeka for her continued work and support of the District 2 Kansas Authors Club. She also placed third in the poetry division of the annual literary contest with her poem, “Accessible for Joy.”

Diane Palka, Baldwin, took second and third place in Poetry: Japanese Forms. G. Wayne Parks, Lawrence, received honorable mention in the Song Lyrics category. And Nedra Rogers, Lawrence, won first place in Poetry About a Kansas Author for her poem “Looking for Langston.”