Once a month, a group of people from Hicksville and surrounding communities gather in the basement of the Hicksville Public Library united by one thing: a love of poetry.
The group is led by Hicksville’s Mary Healey, who has been hosting poetry events for several years. She started the Hicksville group in August and since then it has grown to become a robust gathering that averages about 35 to 40 people each meeting.
“I thought this would be a nice venue because Hicksville’s a nice hub of an area where people can come from all around to perform and hear poetry,” said Healey. “It’s very comfortable and friendly, so people don’t feel constricted.”
Each meeting has one or two featured poets, who read their work for about 20 minutes. At January’s meeting, attendees got to hear the works of Steven Schmidt and Sue Allen. The two poets, who hail from North Bellmore, read several of their pieces, which were well received by the supportive, appreciative audience.
“You’re just sharing yourself. Even though I get nervous, it’s about the work, not me,” said Allen. “You gradually build up confidence and it’s about the work and creative process.”
Attendees gather to hear poetry, as well as share their own. After the featured poets, writers took the microphone to read several of their original pieces. Among those who shared their work was Farmingdale’s Judy Turek, who is an active member of the Long Island poetry scene. She says she loves being part of a poetry community.
“I love the community, I love the sharing. I love to be able to read what I’ve written,” says Turek, who writes under the name J.R. Turek. “Sharing allows for inspiration and more creations and I gain a lot of insight and new poems from listening to fellow poets read.”
While the focus is on poetry, Healey says the group is open to all writers or anyone who just wants to enjoy hearing poetry or short stories.
“Even people who don’t write can come and enjoy,” Healey said. “People don’t often get the chance to get feedback in a friendly, comfortable environment but it makes you want to go on. They get something from it and bring something back the next time. Poetry and writing is important, it’s that ability to create and that’s lovely.
The next meeting of the Hicksville poetry group is Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Call 516-931-1417 for more information.
