Hickory – The March 12 Poetry Hickory (the 156th monthly event in the series) will feature readings by 14 NC and SC poets, all of whom were included in the 2018 issue of “Kakalak,” an 11-year-old journal highlighting creative works from the Carolinas.

The reading will be held at 7:00 PM at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse in downtown Hickory and is free and open to the public. Lenoir Rhyne Poetry Professor and Poetry Hickory Founder, Scott Owens, will host the reading along with “Kakalak” Editor, Anne Kaylor.

The poets featured are as follows:

Joyce Compton Brown, Professor Emeritus at Gardner-Webb University and author of 2 collections of poetry.

Les Brown, Professor Emeritus at Gardner-Webb University and former columnist for the “Shelby Star”.

Cherie Cox, Former public defender in Charlotte, NC, and reporter for the “Hickory Daily Record. Winner Charlotte Writers’ Club Poetry Prize.

Beverly Finney, Hickory poet with 4 appearances in “Kakalak,” and publications in several other journals and anthologies. Regular contributor at Art of Poetry and Poetry Hickory.

Anne Waters Green, Hendersonville resident with poems in “Pisgah Review,” “Great Smokies Review,” and twice in “Kakalak.”

Bill Griffin, Physician from Elkin, NC, officer with NC Poetry Society, and award-winning author of 4 collections of poetry.

Karen Luke Jackson, Hendersonville, has work published in numerous journals and anthologies.

Caroline Kenna, Hendersonville, has been a contributor to numerous poetry journals and anthologies.

Terri McCord, Award-winning SC author of 2 collections of poetry with work published in journals across the country.

Alice Osborn, Raleigh based poet and singer-songwriter. Author of 3 collections of poetry.

David Poston, Former Gaston County educator. Author of 3 collections of poetry.

Jane Shlensky, Pushcart nominee from Bahama, NC. Her debut collection of poetry is “Barefoot on Gravel.”

Emily Wilmer, Co-Director of Oasis of Wisdom Institute for Contemplative Stury, Practice and Living, from Alexander, NC.

Nancy Womack, Former Dean of Arts at Isothermal Community College in Spindale. Published in numerous journals and anthologies. For more information, contact Scott Owens (828) 234-4266.