The Wheelhouse to host CU Poetry “Crows on a Line” book release

BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com

Poetry is and always has been something seen, something felt, something observed in a way that sometimes seems quite literal, but with a surprising twist that only a poet can bring to life.

The CU Poetry groups’ first anthology, “Crows on a Line” is no different.

“There is a wide range of styles and themes in the book,” St. Joseph’s Jim O’Brien, who writes under the alias James Escher, said. “Additionally, many of the poets supplied notes about their poem’s inspiration or source.”

Champaign-Urbana’s only open poetry group came to exist in June of 2013 as a way for local poets to get feedback on poems they are revising.

“As I say in the book’s introduction, we are an open group in a transient town, so we have had many members pass through our group,” O’Brien said. “I am very proud that we have been able to maintain that position.”

Currently, CU Poetry has about 40 active members while about 15 to 20 are present at their Tuesday night workshops at the Iron Post.

“We are committed to building community and strong individual voices through the power and practice of poetry, meeting once a week in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, to workshop our poems and poems in progress with the goal of the publication in mind,” O’Brien wrote on Amazon.

Twenty-two poets who are currently part of the group contributed to “Crows on a Line,” O’Brien said.

The poets have been sharing their works and stories with groups around Champaign-Urbana before the holidays and will have their final reading on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Wheelhouse in St. Joseph.

“Not all but many of the contributors will be on hand to read from the book and additional poems,” he said. “We will start just after 7 p.m. and take turns reading with a few breaks peppered in.”

“Crows on a Line” was made possible by a generous donation from an out-of-state supporter in memory of her mother, to whom the book is dedicated.

Books can be purchased at The Wheelhouse on Thursday, by emailing  cupoetry@gmail.com to request a local copy or by visiting Amazon.

O’Brien will also have available information on joining CU Poetry on Thursday night.