MoSt Summer Workshop – The Turn, The Pause, The Twist: Poetic Forms Lightning Rounds

The Turn, The Pause, The Twist: A Poetic Forms Lightning Round Saturday, July 11 | 1–3 PM Salida Public Library | 4835 Sisk Rd., Salida, CA 95368 | (209) 543-7353

What makes a poem crackle with energy? In this fast-paced, hands-on workshop, we’ll explore the volta, the caesura, and the zeugma and see how they create tension, surprise, and resonance — and put them to work in your own writing.

Join poet Stella Beratlis, past poet laureate of Modesto and author of poetry collections Alkali Sink and Dust Bowl Venus, for an afternoon of craft, play, and discovery. Whether you’re new to formal poetics or looking to sharpen your toolkit, this lightning round is designed to spark something on the page. We’re having fun in this workshop; knowledge of poetic forms is NOT in any way required–so all levels welcome.

Just bring a notebook and pen — no RSVP required. Free and open to the public.

May 17

Free Workshop – Using Your Voice: Reading Poems Aloud to Share Their Essence

MoSt Summer Poetry Workshop——Salida Library——June 13, 2026——1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

 Using Your Voice:  Reading Poems Aloud to Share Their Essence

  How do we let the language in a poem come alive and share its truths when we read it aloud?  How do we create an energy that lets people want to listen?  (Hint:  practice, practice, practice…). Join MoSt board member Gary Thomas for this generative workshop writing poetry drafts while exploring a poem’s voice and our voices——without using “Poet Voice.”  Intrigued?  Writing supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite pen, pad, tablet, and vocal warmups!

MoSt Summer Poetry Workshop–Using Your Voice: Reading Poems Aloud to Share Their Essence

MoSt Summer Poetry Workshop——Salida Library——June 13, 2026——1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

 Using Your Voice:  Reading Poems Aloud to Share Their Essence

  How do we let the language in a poem come alive and share its truths when we read it aloud?  How do we create an energy that lets people want to listen?  (Hint:  practice, practice, practice…). Join MoSt board member Gary Thomas for this generative workshop writing poetry drafts while exploring a poem’s voice and our voices——without using “Poet Voice.”  Intrigued?  Writing supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite pen, pad, tablet, and vocal warmups!

Saturday at the Carnegie featuring poets Cleo Griffith & Sheila D. Landre

Please join host Gary Thomas at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Carnegie Arts Center (250 North Broadway Ave., Turlock, California) for a poetry reading featuring Cleo Griffith and Sheila D. Landre. There will be light refreshments and an open mic time following the featured poets. This event is free and open to the public.

Cleo Griffith has been widely published in journals such as Main Street Rag, Straylight, and Westward Quarterly. She has been on the editorial board of Song of the San Joaquin since it began in 2003. She lives with her cats, Amber and Mister, and an assortment of barn swallows, lizards, scrub jays and other creatures among the artist-rich environment of the Central Valley. Her first book, The Yellow Dress, was published last  year.          

Sheila D. Landre is a retired English and Spanish teacher, a minister, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was raised in a military family and has lived in Ohio, Louisiana, San Antonio, Yokohama, Washington, D.C., and Heidelberg.  She came to Santa Cruz in 1965, then Capitola and Salinas before coming to Modesto in 1976.  She is a graduate of Cal State Stanislaus and taught at Turlock Junior High until her retirement.  Sheila has been writing poetry since childhood.  Her work has been appeared in many California publications including ZamBomba!, In the Grove, Song of the San Joaquin, Stanislaus Connections, Penumbra, and Modern Bride Magazine.   She is currently finishing Volume 124 of her journal.

 

May 02

Woven Words Reading & Reception May 20 at Queen Bean

Woven Words Tiny Poem Contest — Reading & Reception

You’re invited to a poetry reading to celebrate the publication of Woven Words, an anthology of short poems featuring the work of Stanislaus County youth poets. 

Hosted by Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate Valentina Zeff

📅 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 5:30 PM 📍 Queen Bean Coffeehouse 1126 14th St., Modesto, CA 95350

About the Program

The Stanislaus County Youth Poet Laureate program is administered by Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center (MoSt Poetry) with partners MJC Library & Learning Center & MJC School of Language Arts & Education, Stanislaus County Office of Education, Stanislaus County Library, and Stanislaus Library Foundation.