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14 SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE | Fall 2022 Since 1932, Mississippi poets have had a profes- sional organization to assist them in their verse writ- ing. The Mississippi Poetry Society, Inc. began at Belhaven College in Jackson, MS as the Belhaven Poetry Society. Now celebrating its 90 th anniversary, the group has grown stronger in membership size, affiliations, and chapters. From its eleven charter members meeting in Bel- haven in 1932, the society has swelled. The state of Mississippi chartered the group as Mississippi Po- etry Society in 1957. There are now three chapters and a fourth in development. The current branches are North Branch (established in Aberdeen in 1980), South Branch (founded in Biloxi in 1982), and Cen- tral Branch (born in Jackson in 1987) with a Western Branch in the Natchez area in the formative stages. Through membership in the Mississippi Poetry So- ciety, members also connect to the National Feder- ation of State Poetry Societies and the contests, conferences and events sponsored at that level. Who are the members of the Mississippi Poetry So- ciety? Some are professional poets; others are recreational poets – all of them love poetry in its many forms. The poets write everything from haiku to epic saga verse. Song lyricists, children’s poets and pretty much everything you can think of as a form of poetry flows from the pens of the member poets. The Society promotes the members’ poetry in many forms. State-wide competitions accompany the or- ganization’s conferences. Winning poems are pub- lished in an official journal and made available for sale. The Tunica Voice prints state-related contributions from the members in its newspaper. Poetry readings and slams as well as programs in conjunction with National Poetry Month help to draw attention to Mis- sissippi’s poets. In an exciting recent project, recordings of poetry by the author in the poet’s own voice will be collected and stored in Department of Archives and History in Jackson and at the Center for Oral History and Cul- tural Heritage in Hattiesburg. The goal of the project is to make the poetry available in a dimension be- yond the written word so future listeners can appre- ciate a new level of Mississippi poetry. A 90th anniversary anthology is in the works, with every member offered the chance to participate. It will join past commemorative anthologies as a re- flection of the collected work of poets across the state. Communications also include The Magnolia Muse, the society’s newsletter. It highlights branch events, member achievements and opportunities for the members. Through membership in the Mississippi Poetry So- ciety, members also connect to the National Feder- ation of State Poetry Societies and the contests, conferences and other activities sponsored at that level. A state Poet of the Year has been named following a competition each year since 2001. The 2022 Poet of the Year is Ann Carolyn Cates of Southaven who succeeds Brenda Brown Finnegan of Ocean Springs. The Poet of the Year winner receives pub- lication of a chapbook and 25 copies of the book. The organization encourages poets at all levels, in- cluding students. Inviting young people to participate in the annual contests helps to encourage the next generation of poets. More experienced writers can share their knowledge with newcomers and all the members benefit. Each branch holds regular meet- ings which include speakers, readings and critique sessions to help hone members’ skills. Membership is open to aspiring poets and fans of poetry throughout the state. Anyone interested in joining the Mississippi Poetry Society can contact them through the website at www.misspoetry.net © 2022 Mary Beth Magee Author/poet/speaker Mary Beth Magee writes cozy Christian fiction, poetry, children’s books and devo- tions. For more on her writing and training sessions, visit her website at www.LOL4.net By Mary Beth Magee www.LOL4.net Mississippi Poets S