I hear the response now: “There’s no such thing!”

But April is National Poetry Month, and I hope you’ll come and help me celebrate it on

April 23, from 12:00-1:30, at Newport 60+ Activity Center at 20 SE 2 nd Street in Newport.

I love poetry.

If you find poetry obscure or confusing, if you think you need a dictionary just to read it, I

have some surprises in store for you. All you need to do is show up prepared to smile

(or laugh).

We’ll spend the first hour looking at some poems that will make you smile, or even

laugh, and talk about some of the things that make a poem a poem. And we’ll spend the

last 20-30 minutes trying a technique that writers use to generate new pieces. If you

have never wanted to write anything—a poem, a memoir, a letter to your children—you

can skip this piece and I won’t even be insulted.

It’s lunch time, so feel free to bring a brown bag. I will furnish dessert.

You will leave knowing some things that you may not have known before, with a sheaf

of poems to amuse your friends, a memory of a lot of smiles, and a free gift.

If you want to try the writing challenge, please bring some paper and something to write

with.

There is no charge for this session, but I would appreciate it if you would register with

the office if you would like to attend. That way I can be sure to have enough dessert and

free gifts.

I really hope to see you there.

Marianne Klekacz

Seating for each class is limited so sign up now! Please go online to:

www.newportoregon.gov/sc and click on the banner “Browse the catalog and register.” For

additional information, call the office at 541-265-9617, or stop by at 20 SE 2nd Street,

Newport.