Eric McHenry of Topeka was today’s guest poet for Poetry on the Porch – at the William Allen White State Historic Site in Emporia.

McHenry teaches poetry at Washburn University in Topeka.

He read from “Potscrubber Lullabies,” his first book of poetry for which he won the Kate Tufts Discovery Award, as well as from his brand new book of poetry for children, “Mommy, Daddy, Evan, Sage.” Great stuff. Many lines made me and the others laugh – his rhymes are as clever as Shel Silverstein’s poetry.

Kevin Rabas, who teaches poetry at Emporia State University, lined up the poets for today’s event. He also read a couple of his own pieces. He is the author of two books of poetry, “Bird’s Horn,” and “Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano,” and a book of short fiction released this year, “Spider Face.”

 

Leonard Biggs of Madison read two poems.

Phil Dillon also read a couple poems. Dillon writes a column, “Right Turn,” for the Emporia Gazette.

A couple of ESU students read their work and Eric McHenry’s father read a poem from “Potscrubber Lullabies.”

At the beginning of the event, Kevin Rabas started a group poem on a piece of paper. It was passed around the room and audience members added a line or two. Here, Kevin reads that poem.

 

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