The Ground and Sky Poetry Series – a program of the not for profit Education Training Center – has been held in both Buffalo and Rochester since 2015. According to founder and executive director, Joel David Lesses, the series is based on Maj Ragain, northeast Ohio’s poetic giant, and his ‘no mic, no list, no podium’ format.
As part of the series, a book launch is being planned for the release of Journeys of Sacred Community: A Collection Anthology of Ground and Sky Poetry, which features the works of thirteen poets – five poets are from Buffalo, five are from Rochester, one is from Houston, TX, and one is from Florida. The book (Manjushri Press*) features six poems from each of the poets, along with their respective biographies, and an anthology, edited by Lesses. The following poets’ works are included in the book: Nathan Stolte, Carol Mikoda, Christopher Snyder, Bettie Castor, Samuel Floyd, Elaine Cervantes, Chris Barbera, Kristina Koutsoudas, Scott W. Williams, Jenny Stanberry, David White, and Lisa Carley. The book includes a ‘Prologue,’ an ‘About Ground and Sky Poetry Series,’ and an ‘Epilogue.’’
The book launch, to be held at Caffé Aroma on Wednesday June 12, starting at 9:00pm, will feature readings from a number of the contributing poets, along with an interactive format. The event is sponsored by Talking Leaves Bookstore, and is a part of Caffé Aroma’s Open Mic Series.
“Join us in celebrating building sacred community through poetry.” – Joel David Lesses
Journeys of Sacred Community: A Collection Anthology of Ground and Sky Poetry is available for purchase at Before Your Quiet Eyes Bookstore and can also be purchased in Buffalo at Talking Leaves Bookstore. There are 50 limited Holograph Edition books available.
*Manjushri Press is the book publishing division of Education Training Center, Inc. – the book was co-published with Before Your Quiet Eyes Publications: Holograph Series and Manjushri Press
