About Us

Ipswich Poetry Group was founded by Dorothy Laurence in May 2001 to bring poets together in a supportive workshop environment and to introduce the oral tradition of poetry to the Ipswich community. Since then, they have put on numerous readings and performances, including the collaborative Poetical Asylum shows in 2003 and 2004. The poets represent various walks of life, range in age from teens to senior citizens and in experience from beginning to well-established poets. Meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on the third floor of the Ipswich Public Library.

Poets who are interested in joining the IPG are encouraged to attend a few meetings to see if the group is a good fit.

Ipswich Poetry Group Meeting Process

  1. If you plan to read a poem, please bring at least 5-6 copies of your typed poem to share with the group.
  2. When it is your turn, the person to the right of you will read your poem first, then you will read it a second time. Listening to both of these readings helps us to understand the poem, hear the rhythm, sounds, any redundancies, and/or any parts that lack clarity.
  3. After the readings come General Overview comments: critiquers give a brief synopsis of what they think the poet is trying to say, and evaluate whether the poem flows, and comment on any patterns, rhyming, etc.
  4. Next, the entire poem is discussed stanza by stanza. Critiquers comment on clarity, redundancy, grammar, punctuation choices, and spelling.
  5. Finally, the group discusses the title and whether it works for the piece.
  6. It is helpful to the poet if critiquers write their comments on their copy of the poem, so that the she can take them home and use them during revision. Writing down comments also keeps repetition of comments to a minimum while letting the poet know if individual members agree or disagree about a certain point.
  7. The poet does not respond to comments while her poem is being discussed, so it is important that she lists any question she has to ask at the end. Sometimes, if the discussion has become lengthy and we are off track/on track, the poet might want to intervene.
  8. Since we only have an hour an a half, it helps to have your poem ready to hand out when it's your turn.

    However, the poem belongs to the poet. Suggestions are only for our consideration, to use or ignore.




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    Page last modified by: Sarah Vickery
    Date modified: Monday, 30-Apr-2007 22:58:19 EDT