Monday, 16 June 2014

Poets In New Mexico: How They Came To Be

By Ina Hunt


Poetry has developed to a great level over the years. Various institutions and individuals have done so much in developing poetry in this state. Poets in New Mexico have been developing what has been done by poets who preceded them all in the spirit of taking poetry to another level. The most notable in promoting poetry are the New Mexico Poetry Society and the Poetry Loud campaign which is a national movement organized by high school teachers for high school students.

the state society of poetry was founded by Alice Briley in the 1960s and has been very active in nurturing poets since then. It strongly supports the cultural welfare of different groups of people. This support is depicted in all their works. It not only engages in engages in literary but also educational activities. Their disregard for taking sides makes them to also disregard harsh religious, social and political view points. Members are, therefore, banned from participating in political, social and religious campaigns on behalf of the group.

This society has produced a number of good poets. They include Jim Applegate, Jeanette Oestermeyer, Joe Shaffer, Lynn Baldwin and Ann Applegarth among others. This organization has lost many of its founders, but still runs its activities like it has always done. In modern times, there has been a partnership between the society and the Eastern New Mexico University. This partnership has resulted in the organization of poetry competitions for high school students.

The group developed the RGV chapter which has for all this time encouraged upcoming poets. It formed a strong partnership with the New Mexican University. The students reaped the benefits through lectures and advice on poetry. The university began imparting this knowledge into students admitted in poetry classes. This friendship bred scholarships for needy students at the state poetry society.

The poetry loud organization, on the other hand, organizes student competitions for poetic recitations. Later, they arrange for state and national prizes. This is not limited only to this region, it operates throughout the country. Among the prizes are two hundred dollars for first-place winners, five hundred dollars for their school libraries, a hundred dollars for runners-up and two hundred dollars for their schools. All expenses during the trip are also paid for the winner. National competitions have bigger prizes for competitors. A number of good poets have emerged from these competitions.

Among the most influential poets are Dana Levin, Pata Mora and D. H Lawrence who migrated from Britain. Their poems were well received by their readers in this state and the other parts of the world. These are among the first professional poets in this state.

These poets addressed varied themes as dictated by the issues during their times. Among the topics they discussed included the negative effects of industrialization, the French and American Revolutions, effects of modernization and love among others. They were very well received by their readers.

Their styles equally differed as dictated by relevant literary movements in place when the poems were written. The movements included symbolism, romanticism realism and naturalism. Each of these movements greatly impacted on the poems. Each of the movements came with its style.




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