The audience was small but appreciative Sunday as the Greene County Historical Society hosted Poetry Out Loud at the museum. Members of the local poetry group, the First United Coven of Greene County, read original poetry. Poetry by a total of 13 Coven members was read, with a poem by the late Diane Foster being read by her granddaughter Nicole Timmons. The first poem of the afternoon was a sonnet written by the late Mar Smith and read by Chris Henning.
Special guest was Dennis Maulsby of Ames, president of the Iowa Poetry Association. Maulsby quoted from a speech by President John F. Kennedy, delivered at Amherst College on Oct. 26, 1963, at an event honoring the American poet Robert Frost, who had died the previous January. “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses,” Kennedy said.
The next event on the Historical Society’s is a cemetery walk and chili feed Sunday, Oct. 5. Tickets are available from Society members. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing work of the Historical Society to preserve the history and heritage of Greene County.
