Just as Southeastern Minnesota Poets began Bright Light poetry events in the dark COVID winter to gather expressions of hope and clarity, we are now working to honor the lives of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, and to create space for illumination in our community in an equally somber time. and to create space for illumination in our community in an equally somber time.

As part of this special reading, we’re seeking your poems, reflections, memories, and benedictions. From your work, we will craft a community poem—taking lines from your writing to create a piece that speaks to our cares, concerns, and hopes in this challenging time. We hope responses will also be displayed at the Chateau during the event.

You can submit one piece of up to 200 words to semnp.submit@gmail.com through Monday, February 1. If you’re not sure where to start, we will be posting writing prompts on the SEMNP Facebook page through January.

Hosted by Samuel Hawkins II, Lisa Higgs, Susan McMillan, Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara, Jean Prokott, and Pam Sinicrope