Author Archives: Leslie Schultz

Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle Readings (Leslie Schultz & Katherine Edgren) Now on YouTube

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The Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but offered now through Zoom, offers workshops every second Wednesday and readings by poets every fourth Wednesday. Hosted by Michigan poets David Jibson, Lissa Perrin, and Ed Morin, each reading is followed by an Open Mic opportunity, and all events are free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, I participated in a Crazy Wisdom reading, followed by one with my friend, Michigan poet Katherine Edgren. These two readings are now available on the Crazy Wisdom YouTube Channel (along with a host of others.) If you missed the live event, you can see it NOW. (See below for a list of poems read.)

The next reading, scheduled for February 26, 2025, is with a phenomenal poet, Ron Koertge who has had poems twice in Best American Poetry and grants from the NEA and California Arts Council. His novels for young adults won two P.E.N. awards. An animated film made from his flash fiction, Negative Space, was shortlisted for the 2018 Academy awards. Billy Collins calls his presentations “deliciously smart and entertaining.”

For more information, please visit the Crazy Wisdom blog.

Poems I Read on January 22, 2025

"The Craft of Poetry"
"Ice"
"The Book of Quilts"
"Geranium Lake"
"A Necklace of Fat Pearls"
"Music So Loud We Can't Hear"
"Notes on Design"
"A Gesture of Peace"
"Ichthyography"
"Lady Tashat's Mystery: Sections I & II"
"Self as Portraits"

Reading at The Book Store in Appleton, WI on January 23, 2025 (Leslie Schultz and Susan Jaret McKinstry)

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Appleton, Wisconsin Skyline with Lawrence University in the foreground
Appleton West High School

Once upon a time, I lived in Appleton, WI. It was while I was a student at Appleton West High School that I took my first creative writing class, began reading poetry seriously (thanks to the stacks of the public library). It is also where I published my first poems, in the student-run literary publication, Patterns of Stardust. That was back in the days of construction paper covers, staples, mimeographs, and manual typewriters. (Juvenilia, anyone?) (Sorry, I have glued the pages shut!)

This Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., poet Susan Jaret McKinstry will be reading at a wonderful independent bookstore, The Book Store, located at 801 West College Avenue. This venue offers used and new books and hosts a variety of events, including one for knitters and readers. It opened its doors in 1977, the year I graduated from high school. I am delighted that it has thrived all these years, and even more thrilled to return as an author and to be able to read there with Susan. If you are in the area that evening, please join us!

Happy Reading!!! LESLIE

Event at Write On, Door County–January 25, 2025–Singer-Songwriter Katie Dahl with Poets Susan Jaret McKinstry and Leslie Schultz

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Write On, Door County is a writing center near Juddville, Wisconsin. Poet Susan Jaret McKinstry and I will be appearing there on Saturday, January 25, 2025 (3:00 to 5:00 p.m.) for a melange of song and poetry with singer-song-writer (and Carleton alum!) Katie Dahl –her website is filled with interesting details of her career in the lyrical and musical arts, as well as how to see her shows and purchase her CDs.

Our event is described HERE.

Tim, Susan, and I got to see Katie and her partner, Rich, perform this past August at the Mt. Olivet Retreat Center. I have been playing her CDs ever since. Now I am looking forward to this hybrid event, to hearing Katie again, to getting to know Write On, Door County, this unique space dedicated to the literary arts, and to being on a road trip with Susan!

Trolls! Photos and Poems by Lea Goode-Harris and Leslie Schultz

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Alexa’s Elixir, Detroit Lakes City Park, October 2024

Last fall, Tim and I were guided to some intriguing troll sculptures in the Detroit Lakes area of Northern Minnesota. (Thanks, Tricia and Bob!) These sculptures are the brain children of Danish sculptor and environmental activist, Thomas Dambo. Currently, his troll sculptures–made of reclaimed materials and realized through partnerships with local communities–are standing tall in 17 countries. On Dambo’s website, there is a description of his philosophy and a map of all the current sculptures.

Recently, friend Lea Goode-Harris, an artist, photographer, poet, and labyrinth designer who is based in California, sent me images of the trolls she had traveled to encounter. Suffice to say, our glee knew no bounds. When Lea suggested we each write short poems about these whimsical works and combine our photographs for a shared post on her website, I was pleased to participate. The post went up yesterday.

For more photos and our poems, please visit the Manzanita Sisters website. Hope you will enjoy them!

Leslie

Zoom Reading–January 22, 2025–Leslie Schultz and Kathy Edgren (Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle)

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I am so pleased to be reading via Zoom with my friend and Third Wednesday Magazine colleague, poet Katherine Edgren, in the monthly series. I will be reading first, mostly poems from my new collection, Geranium Lake: Poems on Art and Art-Making; Kathy will be reading both poems from her newest collection, Keeping Out the Noise, as well as some newer work published recently in journals. After the two readings, there will be an Open Mic event–with sign-up starting at 6:45 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)–so consider coming to listen and staying to read your own work or work you love!

Hope to see you there!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81643864740

Meeting ID: 816 4386 4740

OR

Email cwpoetrycircle@gmail.com for Zoom link.

The Readings Series

of The Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle

 Wednesday, January 22, 2025  

7:00 PM – 8:45 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Featured Readers:

Leslie Schultz and Katherine Edgren

                                               Leslie Schultz                                                 Katherine Edgren                        

Katherine Edgren has authored four collections of poetry, the most recent being Keeping Out the Noise. Her work has appeared in Coe Review, Birmingham Poetry Review, Third Wednesday. Before retirement, she headed a department at University of Michigan Health Service and served as a City of Ann Arbor Council Member.

Leslie Schultz has five collections of poetry; Geranium Lake: Poems on Art and Art-Making is her most recent. Her poetry has appeared widely in Poet Lore, Able Muse, and other journals. She also publishes photographs, essays, and fiction, and happily mucks about in a garden plagued by shade and rabbits.

Until further notice, all sessions are virtual and accessible through Zoom. 

Email cwpoetrycircle@gmail.com for Zoom link.

Featured readers are followed by Open Mic reading.  • FREE • All writers welcome  • Readyour own or other favorite poetry. • Sign up begins 6:45 p.m. • Poetry Series readings every fourth Wednesday hosted by David Jibson, Ed Morin & Lissa Perrin.  See our blog at https://cwcircle.poetry.blog/