30 Days, 30 Poems, 30 Plants

This November, I intend to write 30 poems, each one about a different plant. Why 30 poems in November? It's a fundraiser for the Center for New Americans in Northampton, MA, which provides education and resources to immigrants and refugees. Why plants? Because I love them, I've been writing about them for years, and I enjoy well-defined writing challenges.

A more-than-head-sized head of lettuce
from Mountain View Farm in Easthampton.

Some people like writing in forms (sonnets, villanells, etc.) because the form gives them a parameter within which to explore difficult or unruly topics. The structure of a writing time period has a similar comforting yet challenging effect on me and my creative process.

If you'd like to help this project, please donate (and ogle at a giant head of lettuce) on my fundraising page. And if you'd like to sign up for the challenge yourself, do that here. For locals, there will be a reading on Wednesday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in Stoddard Hall at Smith College.

Many thanks for your support, whether in dollars or in spirit!