Glenn Currier

The idea for a poetry group  (prose)

One morning in July I sat eating breakfast in the Whataburger. 

I sometimes write poetry there as I look out at the bushes, trees, and
birds.  I watched and listened to the cars rush by and began to wonder
about the name of the road, Pleasant Run.  It seemed so loud and busy as I wondered

and sometimes not very pleasant, but there I sat quietly in this little
oasis across from the Texaco station and near the Civic Center.  I have
always liked the name of this, one of the main drags of our city.  
In my visits to the restaurant I have seen many older people as well as a
diverse mix of folks from many walks of life.  I wondered if any of these
older citizens knew how the road got its name.  I let my imagination
wander and started writing a poem about how this road might have gotten
its name.  

I started thinking about how many of our citizens and visitors do
business, travel, and are connected to each other by Pleasant Run Road.  
Wouldn't it be interesting to have people write poetry about their
experiences, impressions, imaginings, and thoughts about "pleasant run?"  
This idea rattled around in my brain for a few weeks until I finally
decided to take action.  I had also been interested in possibly starting
a poetry society in DeSoto, Texas where poets could read their poems and have
them listened to by other poets.  

I went to the DeSoto Public Library and had a conversation with the
Director, Lucile Dade in which I shared with her my idea about a
community poetry project around the words, "pleasant run," that might
attract a variety  citizens of all ages.  We were both excited about the
possibility of bringing our citizens together around such a creative and
enjoyable activity.

After two more meetings with Director Dade, librarian Marq Runnels,

a part time staff member, Elizabeth Hobbs, and my wife, Helen Currier,

we conceived and initiated the Pleasant Run Poetry Write.

We had other meetings, prepared fliers to distribute at local businesses.

Citizens brought their poems and contact information to the library

and eventually we had a gathering of the poets which we called "The Pleasant Run

Poetry Night."  Lucile made up nice certificates and the library provided refreshments.

It was a grand evening.  We told those gathered that we wanted to begin a poetry

society and decided on a date the next month.  That meeting and others evolved

into the group, Poetry in Progress.  We met on the first Monday of each month for four

years, celebrating the groups inception and anniversary each year at a local

Mexican restaurant.  The group eventually produced a book Poetry in Progress

which was published. 

"The idea for a poetry group" Copyright 2010 by Glenn Currier

Written 9-22-10  updated 3-12-20