Poets Address Community Issues at Squeaky Wheel Reading

In celebration of National Poetry Month, several poets discuss how their faith influences their writing, reflecting on the intersection of spirituality and creativity. Janet Ruth Heller argues that religion provides essential community support and personal growth, while Jane Zwart shares her process of capturing poetic inspiration in her notebook, emphasizing hope and creativity as reflections of divine creation. A recent poetry reading event highlighted the diverse voices in contemporary poetry, with Joel Park addressing political themes in his work, including local social issues and personal grief, illustrating the power of poetry to engage with pressing societal matters. Additionally, a poem presented at the event called for justice and moral clarity in confronting hatred, underscoring the historical lessons of exclusion and the need for empathy towards marginalized groups. Together, these pieces reflect a vibrant poetic community committed to addressing both personal and societal challenges through their art.