A Gathering Of The Literati

A Celebration Of Poetry and Poets

Over 100 poets and poetry enthusiasts came to enjoy poetry and hear from poets who have contributed to Washington, D.C.’s literary experience.  The theme for the March 24th event –A Splendid Wake 7- was Spirituality Meets Social Justice. Prince George’s County Poet Laureate, J. Joy “Sistah Joy” Matthews Alford, known for her messages of spirituality and social justice, told of her journey through narrative and poetry.

Held at George Washington University, the event also included recognition of Spirit First Meditation Poetry Contest winners; Jacqueline Jules and inaugural Annapolis Poet Laureate, Temple Cone; introduced by Diana Woods, editor and chief administrator for the annual contest.  A significant component of A Splendid Wake is the posthumous recognition of poets who contributed to the Washington literary community.  David Jellema presented a poem and musical presentation in memory of his father, Rod Jellema; Tara Curry presented a personal reflection and poem in memory of her father, Martin Galvin; and Ross Taylor offered remarks and read a poem in memory of Hugh Walthall.  Other participants in the program included Martin Murray, who spoke on Walt Whitman’s life in Washington, D.C. during the Civil War and Reconstruction era; Flautist, Ian Sydney March, who presented a closing poem for the occasion and  Poet and Master of Ceremonies, Henry Crawford.

A Splendid Wake is a project that documents poets, poetry movements and literary organizations that have contributed to the literary experience in the Washington, D.C. area from 1900 to the present.  A podcast of this literary event will be available on the organization’s blog, along with additional information about A Splendid Wake.  For more information visit blog, A Splendid Wake Up, at http://splendidwake.blogspot.com .

College or graduate school students that would like to work out an internship may contact Joanna Howard at asplendidwake@gmail.com.