Poetry as a Bridge…
Bridge #1 … Poetry as a Bridge to new Americans
https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20190628/new-voices-shines-light-on-immigrant-storytelling
Bridge #2 … Poetry as a Bridge to Babies
Bridge #3 … Poetry as a Bridge to Japan
I invited everyone in our community to participate in a project of building a bridge to Japan. My objective was to build our community by developing a more inclusive relationship with our sister city of Nichinan. I intention was to lead us in doing so through a variety of endeavors related to poetry. I asked businesses and organizations in the greater Seacoast area to join us in this year of community building in learning about and celebrating Japan by planning their own related activities for the public and sharing them with us. I told our community, “we have so much to learn by studying another culture. We have so many poems to write. We have so many friends to make. Let’s build this bridge!” Then COVID arrived and my project was altered and morphed in a variety of unplanned ways. Here are some of the highlights.
Check out the Broadside Gallery
Poetry as a Bridge (to Japan): Involving students in the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Project 2020
Quotes from some of the press coverage of Tammi’s Poet Laureateship
From an article written by AP writer Holly Ramer and picked up by news outlets all over the world. “Weekly poems elevate New Hampshire city’s virus newsletters.” The Associated Press, August 6, 2020.
“I think she’s absolutely brilliant,” said (Valerie) Rochon, who leads the Portsmouth chamber of commerce. “I look forward on Monday mornings to getting my week started with the wisdom and beauty that she shares.”
From an article written by Jim Memmott. “Send poems to comfort and inspire during COVID.” Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle, August, 14, 2020. “As many reports suggest, living in a pandemic, as bad and frightening as it might be, can be made just a little easier by poetry.”
From an article written by Alaa Elassur. “A New Hampshire poet is bringing joy to her community’s coronavirus newsletters.” CNN, August 16, 2020. "I think in our community it reminds people that we are all in this together, and the only way to the other side of it is to help each other in whatever way we can," Truax said. "This just happens to be my way."
From an article written by Johhny Diaz. “Amid the Stats and Protocols, Poems Speak to the Soul.” The New York Times, August, 2020. “... said Jenny Doughty, president of the Maine Poets Society. “Offering a way to look at the times through the lens of poetry, to bring a moment of joy or reflection or even to tap into their own creativity, is a psychologically and spiritually healing thing at the best of times, and even more so during a pandemic.”
From an article written by Emily Reilly. “A Poet for difficult times: Portsmouth Poet Tami (sic) Truax lends warmth to cold, hard facts in city’s advisory bulletins.” The Union Leader, October, 2020.
“The poems touched Portsmouth City Councilor Cliff Lazenby, who has grown to be a fan of the Sunday poetry. “It was kind of striking to have this real-time response on this emotional artistic level.” … Lazenby appreciates that that Truax is giving a personal emotion to Portsmouth’s newsletter. “I thought it was just a really in-tune, kind, aware thing to do in the community. The city’s not just about roads and taxes and picking up the garbage. It’s also, ‘Hey, you know, we’re trying to get through this.’
Word spread, and Truax’s poems gained popularity. “The comments I’ve heard were that people really love – not only love it, but look forward to it every week,’ says (Portsmouth Public Information Officer Stephanie) Seacord.”
From an online column written by Ed Goldman. “Tammi J Truax adds verse to the universe.” The Goldman State.com, April 19, 2021.
“She feels very strongly that immersion in poetry— “or any of the arts, for that matter”—can help people deal with grief.”