“Sweetness comes from the baker’s hands, / the art of rising from generations / making their way in the world. The making / begins with breaking the egg, / releasing the small sun within, stirring . . ..” These words from “Portuguese Sweet Bread” introduced me to Amy Dengler from Gloucester, MA. She is one of the contributors to Solace in So Many Words who has passed away. As I reported in January 2012, Amy’s fellow poets in the Wordcrafters chapter of the Massachusetts … [Read more...]
Amy L. Dengler Memorial Poetry Contest
Some time ago I had to share the sad news that a contributor to Solace in So Many Words, Amy Dengler, who wrote "Portuguese Sweetbread" passed away. Amy lived in Gloucester, MA, and was active in Wordcrafters, a group chapter of the Massachusetts State Poetry Society. Her colleagues have started a poetry contest in her name-- here are the guidelines: Wordcrafters, a chapter of the Massachusetts State Poetry Society, has established an annual poetry contest to honor the … [Read more...]
from “Funeral” by Amy L. Dengler
"But what if there is no hunger, if hunger is what it is to be alive? Surely, some grace steps in." From her poem "Funeral" in her chapbook At the Corner of Lost and Found. … [Read more...]
Amy L. Dengler
In preparing for our event in Long Beach, I suggested each of the poets read another poem from Solace in So Many Words in addition to their own. Donna Hilbert told me she wanted to read "Portuguese Sweet Bread," for two reasons. First, she has a Portuguese daughter-in-law and has tasted the bread on many occasions, and secondly, it is a dynamite poem. The mention of Amy L. Dengler's name made me remember that my last emails to her had bounced back. So on the Thursday … [Read more...]