Originally posted on November 22, 2010 at 2:20 PM
The Denton Poets’ Assembly just celebrated 5 years! Yay! Happy anniversary, DPA!
I must say, I’m not one for mushy stuff. But when I moved from Austin to Denton to live with hub-a-dub, I hated it. I love hub-a-dub, but I hated Denton with a passion. When people would say conversational things like, “So, how are you liking it here so far?” I felt like reaching out and strangling them with my bare hands as I stomped on their feet and spit on the ground shouting, “I HATE IT HERE, DAMN IT. CURSES TO YOU ALL!” Okay, so maybe that’s a bit much, but I would shrug and say, “I’m still getting used to it.” Truth was, I didn’t think I’d ever be ‘used to it.’
That is, until I stumbled upon the Denton Poets’ Assembly. From the first time I went three years ago, I knew it was a group I wanted to be a part of. No matter that I was about 35 years younger than the average age or that my poetry was about vastly different things than most, they welcomed me with true enthusiasm and acceptance. It was going to that meeting each month that first made me feel like there was something in this town for me – that I might someday want to call this home.
Not only that, but it was DPA who encouraged me to start submitting my work to contests and publications. It was J. Paul Holcomb, the group’s mentor, who inspired me to start learning and writing in traditional poetic forms in any real way. It was a few special ladies who invited me into their small critique group and encouraged my confidence and pursuit of this passion I have. I count all of the members of DPA among my friends, and several of them among my closest. Thank you, Denton Poets’ Assembly, for all you’ve done for me. How ever did I get so lucky?
So it’s with true enthusiasm that I tell you all now about our newest fundraiser, which is easier and cooler than any fundraiser I’ve ever heard of. You shop on Amazon.com, yes? You plan on buying Christmas gifts there this year, yes? Well, perhaps you could add one extra click to that process. If you first go through our website and click to Amazon that way (just click the banner at the top of the page), between 4 and 15% of what you buy during that shopping trip will go to our organization. That money supports cool things like the Merging Visions Exhibit we participate in each year. Gift cards, books, home wares, DVDs, etc. all count, and once you click on our link it’s just like shopping on Amazon regularly, no extra cost to you. That’s it, seriously – no extra work. One click. We’d be much obliged.
This blog has been long enough, so I’ll bid you all farewell, good poetry, and happy shopping. (Tell your friends!)
Share this:
