Have you ever had a Pen Pal? If you don’t know what that is, people actually used to write and exchange letters with one another whether they knew them or not. You could find someone to write to in advertisements in magazines or newspapers. Or, perhaps you did stay in contact this way with someone you actually knew. I used to write letters to my Grandmother and some friends I had in Germany at one time. I lost touch with the friends and my Grandmother passed away many years ago.
Now, we can stay in touch with social media, emails, texts and yes even letters! Over the years, I have critiqued and reviewed the works of many poets with my Poetry Critique Service. I also published a monthly free ezine, The Poetry Market Ezine, for 20 years specifically offering poetry resources just for poets. I have made the acquaintances of a few poets this way keeping in touch with them not with letters but usually via email and sometimes even mail which usually involves exchanging poetry books and the like.
Of course as a Poet you should read the other works of other poets. Usually that’s going to include classic poets and the contemporary famous poets. But, you should also read work of your contemporaries. And by that, I mean fellow poets publishing in the same magazines you are or simply publishing elsewhere. It truly will give your own work a new perspective. I also enjoy finding out what my poet friends are working on and/or reading. It’s quite inspirational and also fun to chat or email with them about it all as well.
Next time you are looking for poems to read, why not try reading the works or touching base with a poet whose name you recognize or maybe one who has published your own work. Or, if you read a poem you like by a fellow poet, shoot them an email and let them know your thoughts.
It’s a super way to connect through poetry. Plus, Poets supporting Poets simply means that poetry will stay alive and carry on!
