Fall 2012

Wild Goose Poetry Review
Fall 2012

100 Thousand Poets for Change 2012 Special Issue

On September 24, 2011, more than 700 poetry events centered on the theme of “change” were held in 95 countries. On September 29, 2012, they did it again. This time more than 800 events were held in 115 countries: Iran, France, Italy, Korea, Brazil, Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago, Egypt, Jamaica, Mexico, India, Ireland, Canada, Greece, and more, as well as 45 of the 50 states of the U.S.

The purpose behind 100 Thousand Poets for Change is to promote meaningful social and political change through a sharing of poetry, music, and ideas. The exact definition of change is left to the discretion of local organizers. This year’s event in my own area (western Piedmont NC) was an intimate gathering of about twenty poets, friends, and interested listeners in the home of Claremont author, Shari Smith, to share poems on tolerance, diversity, peace, and sustainability.

To help these important poems and this vital initiative reach an even broader audience, the fall issue of Wild Goose Poetry Review last year consisted entirely of poems read at some of the 25 events in NC. Again, this year, the fall issue includes only poems read at the various 100 Thousand Poets for Change events held across the state, including the Claremont reading as well as events in Wilmington, Hayesville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and many other NC cities.

These poems are published without the usual bios and commentaries so that readers can focus entirely on the poems and their social and political contexts. As always, of course, comments from readers are welcome. In fact, in the interest of political dialogue, they are encouraged more for this issue than for any other. You are also encouraged to subscribe to the comments or to check back frequently to fully participate in the continuing discussion.

Wild Goose will return to its usual format with the Winter 2013 issue, due out in mid-February. Submissions for that issue are being read now and will continue until the end of January. Follow-up 100 Thousand Poets for Change events have already been scheduled for September 2012 with the official date for next year set for September 28. More information on upcoming and past events can be found at http://www.100thousandpoetsforchange.com/.

Contents
Scott Owens, Defining Wrong
Scott Owens, At the OUTright Youth Meeting
Scott Owens, History Lesson
Anthony Abbott, What Do Men Want
Brenda Smith, The Offering Plate
Brenda Smith, What the Gardener Knows
Brenda Smith, 195
Maren Mitchell, Breath
Helen Losse, Product of War
Addy Robinson McCulloch, Benghazi, September 11, 2012
Janice Townley Moore, Indian Museum
Marsha Mathews, The Giraffe Women
Marsha Mathews, Beaching
Douglas McHargue, Earth Talk
Douglas McHargue, Generic People
Brenda Kay Ledford, Progress
Mary Ricketson, Escape at Fires Creek
Mary Ricketson, Touched by Suicide
Ann Chandonnet, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
Lucy Cole Gratton, Questions
Tony Ricciardelli, The Same
Anthony J. Rankine, Operation Enduring Freedom