Wintonbury Poetry Series (Virtual)

For its March reading, Wintonbury Poetry Series is pleased to have Jim Kelleher and Melissa Dione McEwen read.

Jim Kelleher has been a carpenter and teacher and poet in many schools, most recently Torrington Middle School and Oliver Wolcott Tech, and Northwestern Community College and WCSU. He has an MFA in Poetry and CT certifications in Language Arts and Tech Ed. Jim believes “think global, act local”. He’s tried to practice poetry wherever he was and
wherever that is. He’s published eight books and individual poems in newspapers and magazines. Also in friends’ mailboxes. His life was a free verse poem and he’s writing the final stanzas by doing readings, workshops, and poetry discussion groups. Call him. His personal interests include walking woods and swimming at the Y, spending summers on Cape Breton Island with his partner Queenie Troy, watching the UConn women’s team, trading stocks, banging nails, and attending music and poetry events. He has lived his dreams and is playing out his schedule, happily. Except for King Trump et al. Lucky Jim.

Melissa Dione McEwen is a poet from Hartford, Connecticut, whose work explores connection, place, and social resilience, often exploring themes of identity, survival, and community. Her poems have appeared in Connecticut Literary Anthology, Connecticut River Review, Rattle, and others, and have been nominated for various literary awards. Her chapbook This is No Place to Raise a Baby was published in 2023 by dancing girl press & studio. Melissa was also featured in Miranda July’s video series F.A.M.I.L.Y., part of the Miranda July: New Society exhibition at Osservatorio Fondazione Prada in 2024, which allowed her to explore creative expression outside of poetry.

We will have an Open Mic after the featured poet's readings.

Teens are welcome to read at the Open Mic!

   The Wintonbury Poetry Series and Open Mic are hosted by Sitara Gnanaguru. Questions? Call Mara at 860-243-9721 or email her at mwhitman@libraryconnection.info.