David Kirby and Barbara Hamby. PHOTO BY MARY SCHENKEL

Devotees of poetry and literature convened for the 12th annual Poetry and BBQ, ‘Tying the Knot, When Poets Marry,’ featuring married couples James Davis May and Chelsea Rathburn, and David Kirby and Barbara Hamby.

The fundraiser, to benefit the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation, was held at the at the Richardson Center on the Indian River State College Mueller campus, within site of the historic Florida “cracker” style house where the 20th century poet resided with husband Schuyler B. Jackson.

Susan Lovelace, vice president of programming, noted that the foundation now has nearly 90 participants in seven adult writing groups, inviting anyone interested to join them.

Current groups, which meet at various times, days and locations, include the Night Writers, Pole Barn Poets, Pen Points, Porch Poets, Poets Corner, Tuesday Writers and Write Life.

This year’s local poets, who bravely read their poems to the appreciative audience, were Jacque Jacobs, ‘Inhale Exhale’; Ann Kenna, ‘Seeing Red’; Craig Pahl, ‘Meet Me at the Garden’; Susan Denison, ‘Chrome’; Kyle Potvin, ‘This is How She Weeps’; Fay Picardi, ‘The Scrub Jay Sits her Nest’; Christine Light, ‘Don’t Want to Know’; Mark Hinkley, ‘Shattered’; Jean Selander Miller, ‘My Heart is a Fancy Place’; Jackie Grady, ‘Aunt’; and Crystal Bujol, ‘205 Over 83.’

Acknowledging that the event was taking place on Earth Day, Sean Sexton, Indian River County Poet Laureate, read a poem by Laura Riding Jackson, titled “Earth.” And, in accordance with the theme, read a poem of his own about his 44-year marriage to Sharon Sexton, “And Now Our Aged House.”

“We’re in our 30th anniversary of this organization, which is an amazing thing,” said Sexton. To celebrate, Billy Collins, who served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003, will speak at a fundraiser on Nov. 2 at the Community Church of Vero Beach. Plans are also in the works for a luncheon with the poet.

After a brief intermission, where folks stretched their legs, perused silent-auction items, and purchased books by the poets, raffle tickets, and hand-crafted ceramics, folks made their way back inside to hear from the featured poets. Later, guests enjoyed music and BBQ lunch on the outdoor patio.

Introducing the featured poets, Sexton said that Chelsea Rathburn, appointed Poet Laureate of Georgia in 2019, has authored three full-length poetry collections. Her husband James Davis May, assistant professor of English at Mercer University, is the author of two poetry collections.

Barbara Hanby, who teaches at Florida State University and is a Distinguished University Scholar there, is the author of seven books of poems. Her husband, David Kirby, has authored numerous books, is the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of English at Florida State University, and is the recipient of the Florida Humanities Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Writing.

“Chelsea and Jim and Barbara and I have known each other for a long time.

“We’re kind of like a bad band with four lead singers. And you know that any self-respecting band would get together at least two weeks early and rehearse. So, we’re not that kind of band,” quipped Kirby, before the two couples proceeded to enthrall the audience with their moving poetry, interspersed with humorous stories of their lives together.

The nonprofit Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation focuses on the proliferation of poetry and the written word through teen and adult writing groups and workshops. For more information, visit lauraridingjackson.org.

Photos by Mary Schenkel