Poet Amber Decker
The talent that shows up at Morgantown Poets often knocks my stockings off. Take our December event last night, for example. I'd never heard poet Amber Decker of Martinsburg, West Virginia. But she took the podium with a rare combination of poetic skill: a courageous-personal, unique and deeply mystical voice that didn't just capture my attention, but also got the attention of an ensemble of talented people who regularly attend the monthly community literary event at Monongalia Arts Center (MAC). Don't understand what I mean when I say "rare combination" that takes you on a journey with strong story and imagery? Then check out one of Amber's poems, "Because I Love You," which appears online in the December 2012 edition of Specter Magazine. I offer that link just so you can get your feet wet. There's much more to know about Amber's work. Check out Amber's blog at http://roughverse.wordpress.com. Plus, here's an excerpt from the excellent write-up Morgantown Poets' organizer/author Scott Emerson put together to publicize Thursday's event:
"Amber Decker's first full-length collection of poems, Sweet Relish (2002), was published by a small press in California when she was just nineteen. Her most recent book of poems is Lost Girls (2010).
Amber’s poetry has been showcased in many publications both in the U.S. and abroad, including Exquisite Corpse, Zygote In My Coffee, Arsenic Lobster, Contemporary American Voices and others. In 2011, she placed first in the 14th annual Poetry Superhighway poetry contest and was invited to serve as one of three judges during the contest’s 15th year. She has been nominated twice for Best of the Net and once for the Pushcart Prize. Currently, Amber is an undergraduate student majoring in English literature and a proud member of West Virginia Writers, Inc."
I was fortunate to pick up a copy of "Amber Decker and Friends," which I'm very much looking forward to reading this winter.
It was also a great holiday gift to share the event with Robbie Newcome and several other folks who joined us at Morgantown Poets for the first time.
When we first began Morgantown Poets back around 2008, December could be a tough time, attendance-wise, due to weather/holidays. Not so anymore. That's thanks to the great work of host Scott Emerson in organizing/promoting the event. In fact, December is now turning out to be one of our best months of the year! (That's an f.y.i.: If the roads are clear, don't miss a December event, folks!)
Remember: "Voices are like snowflakes." We're thankful for the many talented voices joining us, including those who are back in West Virginia during the holiday season, such as poet Joe Limer. Joe also plans to share his incredible spoken word poetry at Third Eye Cabaret in Charleston, Dec. 27. Check out the Facebook event, "The One, The Only Joe Limer will be in Charleston!"
Also taking the "stage" at Morgantown Poets Thursday were the creative voices of Buddy Guthrie, Rayna Momen, Joan Beard, Glenn Gallagher, Mark Husk, Daniel McTaggart, Diane Tarantini, and a poet from Waynesburg (I'll add his name in here once I confirm). I enjoyed hanging out with Jessica Murphy, Timothy Nelms and several other folks attending. It's great to have a wonderful audience, and the open part of the event is always open to anyone who wants to share something he/she wrote and/or to share the work of a favorite author.
To wrap up this blog post like a sparkling holiday gift (with a dash of seasonal cheer), I shall borrow a line from "The Most Interesting Man in the World" ad campaign:
"I don't always take photographs at Morgantown Poets events, but when I do, I prefer to take many photographs of Morgantown Poets."
Enjoy!
(And if I ran out of time to take your picture this time, then be sure you grab me at the next MPs' event 7 p.m. Thursday, January 17, at the MAC.)
It was also a great holiday gift to share the event with Robbie Newcome and several other folks who joined us at Morgantown Poets for the first time.
When we first began Morgantown Poets back around 2008, December could be a tough time, attendance-wise, due to weather/holidays. Not so anymore. That's thanks to the great work of host Scott Emerson in organizing/promoting the event. In fact, December is now turning out to be one of our best months of the year! (That's an f.y.i.: If the roads are clear, don't miss a December event, folks!)
Remember: "Voices are like snowflakes." We're thankful for the many talented voices joining us, including those who are back in West Virginia during the holiday season, such as poet Joe Limer. Joe also plans to share his incredible spoken word poetry at Third Eye Cabaret in Charleston, Dec. 27. Check out the Facebook event, "The One, The Only Joe Limer will be in Charleston!"
Also taking the "stage" at Morgantown Poets Thursday were the creative voices of Buddy Guthrie, Rayna Momen, Joan Beard, Glenn Gallagher, Mark Husk, Daniel McTaggart, Diane Tarantini, and a poet from Waynesburg (I'll add his name in here once I confirm). I enjoyed hanging out with Jessica Murphy, Timothy Nelms and several other folks attending. It's great to have a wonderful audience, and the open part of the event is always open to anyone who wants to share something he/she wrote and/or to share the work of a favorite author.
To wrap up this blog post like a sparkling holiday gift (with a dash of seasonal cheer), I shall borrow a line from "The Most Interesting Man in the World" ad campaign:
"I don't always take photographs at Morgantown Poets events, but when I do, I prefer to take many photographs of Morgantown Poets."
Enjoy!
(And if I ran out of time to take your picture this time, then be sure you grab me at the next MPs' event 7 p.m. Thursday, January 17, at the MAC.)
Left to right: Dan McTaggart, Scott Emerson, Diane Tarantini, Jessica Murphy, Joe Limer and Mark Husk @ after-party Black Bear Burritos
 Scott Emerson (left) and Timothy Nelms  Mark Husk (left) & Joe Limer  Rayna Momen (right) & me  with Dan McTaggart (right) |  Joe Limer (left) & Scott Emerson  with Glenn Gallagher (left)  with Daleen Berry (left)  me & Mark Husk (right) "Vogue" |
