In The Community
Poet-Tree
Local, regional, and CLA-affiliated poets offer poems about trees on stakes near trees within Allegany County. Current locations include the South Cumberland, Washington Street, Frostburg, George's Creek, and Westernport Libraries; Cumberland Street in Cumberland; the FSU campus, including in the FSU Arboretum; and Westernport's Creekside Park. Other locations--and a map--coming soon!
Participating Poets and Poem Titles:
Gary Ciocco, “The Nature of Naming”
-Westernport Library
-FSU Arboretum Sassafras Trail, in the clearing at the approximate middle of the part of path that runs beside Sand Spring Run
Jack DuBose, “Trees”
-Washington Street Library, Cumberland, side, corner closest to 31 Prospect Square
-Westernport Historical Society Museum, Main St., Westernport
Gary Fadley, “Pearl and The Imp”
In Cumberland, more specific location being determined by the City Forester. TBA
Nina Forsythe, "I Went into the Woods”
-Frostburg Public Library
-FSU Campus, along the walkway between the Performing Arts Center and Pullen Hall
R. David Fulcher, “The Trees Behind the Old House”
-FSU Arboretum, on the Elderberry Trail, near the footbridge over Sand Spring Run
-Smith Park, Cumberland (between Race and Seymour Sts.)
Sid Gold, “Clear Intent”
-Constitution Park, Cumberland, across from the swimming pool
Matthew Henry Hall, “Finding the Tree in You / and the You in the Tree / (A Step-by-Step Guide)"
-Creekside Park, Westernport (Note: there is another Matthew Henry Hall Poet-Tree Stake at Creekside Park.)
-Allegheny Trail House front on Main Street sidewalk
-Rocky Gap State Park West Beach
Sally Rosen Kindred, “The Next Day”
-South Cumberland Library
-Clatter Cafe (rear corner, near the pergola), Frostburg
Leanna Koch, “Log”
-FSU Campus: Lower quad, between CCIT, Lane University Center, and the Lewis J. Ort Library
-Rocky Gap State Park Aviary
Bryon MacWilliams, “Chump”
-FSU Arboretum, Sassafras Trail, at the end nearest University Blvd.
Richard Maslow, "Centre Street, Cumberland Street”
-The eastern end of Cumberland Street in Cumberland, near the corner closest to the Market Street Bridge
-Rocky Gap State Park North Beach
M.C. Pratt, “Reunions”
-Plaza in front of Cumberland City Hall
-Train Station in Westernport, hosted by the Westernport Historical Society
David A. Sweitzer, Jr., “Folding the Corners of Trees”
-Community Park behind George’s Creek Regional Library
-Rocky Gap State Park Campground Beach
Antonio Vallone, “Civil Disobedience”
-Washington Street Library, Cumberland, facing the Allegany County Courthouse
Jody Walker, “The Last Stand”
-George’s Creek Regional Library, Lonaconing
-Rocky Gap State Park Nature Center
Random Acts of Poetry
We've hand written poems onto 150 postcards that have been mailed to addresses selected at random from the Allegany County phone book. 150 more will be sent by August of 2022. Check your mailbox!
The Speakeasy
Join us on Soundcloud to hear recordings of our new broadcast/podcast The Speakeasy, recorded in the studios of WFWM Public Radio. Jack DuBose hosts.
Backbone Mountain Review
An annual literary journal showcasing the creative talents and cultural diversity of the people and places within the Appalachian Mid-Atlantic Region.
Backbone Mountain Review
Reading Series
The Center for Literary Arts invites you to attend the readings of our fall 2020 reading series. All events are free and open to the public.
