Poetry at the Art Center: Readers, Writers, and Listeners Wanted!
Join us at the Bonham Creative Arts Center for a monthly celebration of poetry in all its forms. Whether you write your own verses, love to share favorite poems, or simply enjoy listening to the power of words, you’ve found your community!
Each month, we’ll explore a different theme and poetic form, creating a relaxed space where poetry becomes accessible and alive. Share in any or all of our three rounds:
Round 1: Theme-based poems. You choose what the theme of the month means to you.
Round 2: Explorations of form. Share poems that fit the Literary Form of the Month. To find poems to share, simply ask your favorite web browser or AI assistant “Please help me find poems that feature [this month’s technique].”
Round 3: Open choice finale. If you want to share a winter poem in July, go for it! Love reading “The Raven” out loud? Do it! (Time limit is two minutes, so choose your favorite stanzas.)
No experience needed – just bring your love of language. We even have poems on hand if you’d like to join in but haven’t brought your own.
This adult (18+) group embraces poetry’s full range, from playful to profound. Come discover how poetic forms can serve feeling, and how ancient patterns can amplify modern voices. No critiques, no pressure – just the joy of experiencing poetry together.
Generally on Thursdays evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Questions? Contact: Michelle Haynes (949) 350-5335 | estellasheshop@gmail.com
2026 Schedule
Click the button(s) below to register!
Monthly Themes & Forms for May 2026
Join us Thursday, May 21, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Bonham Creative Arts Center for an evening of poetry.
May Poetry Meeting:
In-person and online.
Share poems that you wrote or favorites written by others.
Theme
Our theme is “Mayday” ~ you can approach that as May Day, the first day of May, or Mayday, an SOS.
May Day coincides with themes of spring. Think Beltaine, the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, the transition into summer, the blossoming of nature. If you already have nature poems, this is a perfect reuse opportunity.
“Mayday” is the international distress call for “help me.” Themes of rescue, vulnerability, the moment before disaster, the hand reached out. You can go literal (emergency, rescue workers) or metaphorical (asking for help, being unheard). (This is also a fit for any social justice poetry you want to share.)
Form
Aubade — A morning love poem, originally a lover’s devotion at dawn (and often a lament that morning has come to separate lovers). Expands beautifully to devotion to anything one wakes to: a place, a practice, a person, a loss. There’s no fixed structure, just the ritual of dawn attention.
Looking forward to seeing you as always!
~ Michelle
When
Thursday May 21, 2026 ⋅ 6:30pm – 8pm (Central Time – Chicago)
Location
Creative Arts Center, 200 W 5th St, Bonham, TX 75418, USA
Please Register
While it is free to attend, we do strongly prefer that you register so we can adequately prepare the space for the event. Also, in the event of a last minute cancellation, we will know to contact you directly to let you know. Click the button(s) on this page, which correspond to the date you are planning on attending.