Renee Van Lee
poet/writer
I fell in love with poetry in the late 70's after I saw its power. I was a fifth grader a Richard E. Byrd School located in Cabrini Green and my teacher Mrs. Giacomazzi read a poem to the class called the 'Ballad Of Birmingham' by award winning poet Dudley Randall and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. I ran home from school into the arms of my mother with tears in my eyes and a love for poetry embedded deeply within my heart. Throughout
the years, I have maintained that a poem is first conceived in the heart and then travels to the mind and that is why poetry touches so many people. It is that same belief that has made me one of the founding mothers of The North Austin Library Poetry Group located at 5724 W. North Ave. along with Patrice Morrison, Ida Barnes and Syreeta Williams. Librarian and gracious host Shirley Yee inducted me into the group and made a dream come true for me when I attended a poetry gathering 2 years ago. The atmosphere is very welcoming.
Poets from all over the city and surrounding suburbs gather every 2 months to enlighten, unburden, uplift and inform the audience. Poets network by exchanging phone numbers, web sites and information about future poetry gatherings. There is a raffle after the recital and Chipotle Mexican Restaurant located in the Brickyard Mall prepares a free meal for poets and their guests.
I have seen poets from 8 to almost 80 years old perform. I have seen poets recite poetry while playing a guitar, I have seen poets sing, and perform free verse.
While the 2008 election debates were under way, I saw poets step up to the podium and foretell President Obama's victory. After the
Inauguration, I saw poets come to the podium and proclaim that there is a statuesque and classy First Lady in the White House and her name is 'Michelle.'
I saw a very young poet recite and mesmerize the
audience with 'The Raven' by Edgar Alan Poe. I am amazed at how many
poets recite their poetry without the aid of paper placed in front of
them. Once a young man moved me beyond words when he approached the
podium with such passion and eloquently delivered a poem about losing the love of his life in a tragic accident. That Saturday afternoon I saw his heart and it made me feel like I was in 5th grade all over again.
Since I have been with the North Austin Branch Poetry
Group I've been stopped in the grocery store and in the street by people who say, 'you're that poetry lady'. I must say, I don't mind that moniker one bit. On that note, I would like to add that The North Austin Branch Public Library will be hosting a 'Poetry Open Mic' event on Saturday, Jan. 16. at 2:00 pm. The next poetry recital featuring the founding mothers of poetry will be held Saturday, Feb. 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Visit http://www.cabrinigreen.webs.com see ya in da hood!
the years, I have maintained that a poem is first conceived in the heart and then travels to the mind and that is why poetry touches so many people. It is that same belief that has made me one of the founding mothers of The North Austin Library Poetry Group located at 5724 W. North Ave. along with Patrice Morrison, Ida Barnes and Syreeta Williams. Librarian and gracious host Shirley Yee inducted me into the group and made a dream come true for me when I attended a poetry gathering 2 years ago. The atmosphere is very welcoming.
Poets from all over the city and surrounding suburbs gather every 2 months to enlighten, unburden, uplift and inform the audience. Poets network by exchanging phone numbers, web sites and information about future poetry gatherings. There is a raffle after the recital and Chipotle Mexican Restaurant located in the Brickyard Mall prepares a free meal for poets and their guests.
I have seen poets from 8 to almost 80 years old perform. I have seen poets recite poetry while playing a guitar, I have seen poets sing, and perform free verse.
While the 2008 election debates were under way, I saw poets step up to the podium and foretell President Obama's victory. After the
Inauguration, I saw poets come to the podium and proclaim that there is a statuesque and classy First Lady in the White House and her name is 'Michelle.'
I saw a very young poet recite and mesmerize the
audience with 'The Raven' by Edgar Alan Poe. I am amazed at how many
poets recite their poetry without the aid of paper placed in front of
them. Once a young man moved me beyond words when he approached the
podium with such passion and eloquently delivered a poem about losing the love of his life in a tragic accident. That Saturday afternoon I saw his heart and it made me feel like I was in 5th grade all over again.
Since I have been with the North Austin Branch Poetry
Group I've been stopped in the grocery store and in the street by people who say, 'you're that poetry lady'. I must say, I don't mind that moniker one bit. On that note, I would like to add that The North Austin Branch Public Library will be hosting a 'Poetry Open Mic' event on Saturday, Jan. 16. at 2:00 pm. The next poetry recital featuring the founding mothers of poetry will be held Saturday, Feb. 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Visit http://www.cabrinigreen.webs.com see ya in da hood!
