I got the new issue of Pasque Petals–the South Dakota State Poetry Society’s journal–last week. I hadn’t seen an issue in over 10 years and recalled it as a publish-anything publication for poetry society members.

But the new issue shows some signs of renewed life. It’s still a publication that caters to its members, which I guess is not  a big deal–they are the ones paying to keep the journal going. However, I was happily surprised to find quality poems by Andy Thorstenson of Hot Springs and Linda Hasselstrom of Hermosa. Both are excellent poets who deserve recognition.

Pasque Petals’ new editor, Francie Davis, has been attending readings in the area, encouraging poets to subscribe and submit to the journal so she has an abundance of work to choose from. She figures it can only get better if she has more poets sending their work. It appears that her efforts have been successful already. It’s good to see someone trying to find the best poetry the state has to offer.

I attended the Poets Coffeehouse at the Rapid City Public Library on Friday night and was pleased to meet the new editor of Pasque Petals, Francie Davis.

Pasque Petals is the South Dakota State Poetry Society’s publication, which heretofore has been quarterly. Davis announced that it has become a semiannual (that’s twice a year to you and me). She also asked for poets to submit work for her to consider.

I had poems appear in Pasque Petals about 10 years ago. I believe the policy then was if you submitted, you got published. Davis sounds like she intends to raise that bar a little bit, but that can’t happen if she doesn’t get a quantity that allows her to be choosy.

I would love to see Pasque Petals get an editorial makeover to attract the best poets the state has, and Davis certainly seems to be open to making whatever changes are necessary.

So, South Dakota poets, how about polishing up your best work and giving Davis something to work with? Her e-mail is buckerette@hotmail.com for more information.

]]> http://ericedits.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/new-editor-at-pasque-petals/feed/ 0 ericedits http://ericedits.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/inauguration-poetry/ http://ericedits.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/inauguration-poetry/#comments Wed, 21 Jan 2009 02:25:30 +0000 ericedits http://ericedits.wordpress.com/?p=320 ]]>

To honor this day and our new president, a few links to inauguration poetry:

Elizabeth Alexander, “Praise Song for the Day.”

Derek Walcott: “Forty Acres: A Poem for Barack Obama”

Frank Bidart: “Inauguration Day”

Maya Angelou: “On the Pulse of Morning”

Robert Frost: “Dedication” and “The Gift Outright”