“With her poems, Terry Godbey tells stories that break your heart, over and over."

— Martin Achatz, Passages North Poetry Editor

I’ve been dabbling in photography for the last couple of years, and it’s become my main creative pursuit and also my meditation. When I’m in the woods or wetlands, I am completely in the moment, something that’s always been impossible for me. As a poet, I’m usually looking back, and as a Type A, I am looking ahead and planning.

scrub jay low res for Flickr-8816So it was such a pleasure to win an award in the Orange Audubon Society’s annual photo contest for this shot of a friendly scrub jay in Lyonia Preserve in Deltona. This bird was enchanted by my bright blue cap and was very curious. But no more curious than I.

I11x17PosterTemp_wOut_Presenter‘ll be reading my poems at the Herndon branch of the Orlando Public Library on Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m. I’ll be joined by Naomi Butterfield, Ashley Equality Inguanta, Jesse Bradley and Peter Gordon. The library is at 4324 E. Colonial Drive, next to Sam Ash Music Store. See you there!

Lwords_webPainter Pamela Ramey Tatum and I will portray the many facets of love and its sidekicks lust and loss in paintings and poetry on Saturday, Nov. 1, in New Smyrna Beach.

The show, from 4 to 8 p.m., will be at The Hub on Canal, a historic downtown building that’s home to more than 70 working artists. Pamela will give an artist’s talk at 6 and I’ll follow at 6:30 with a reading of my poems, many of which will hang among the paintings. Our event is part of the First Saturday Gallery Walk, so there will be plenty of artwork to admire, and appetizers, wine and music, too.

Saturday, Nov. 1, 4 to 8 p.m.
Gallery Talk, 6 p.m.
Poetry Reading, 6:30 p.m.

The Hub on Canal
132 Canal St., New Smyrna Beach
386-957-3924

I am grateful to Martin Achatz, Poetry Editor of Passages North, for reprinting my poem in his great blog, “Saint Marty.” He writes, “Terry Godbey has a great poem about boys in her collection Flame.  The boys in the poem are trying to impress the girls.  The girls are trying to attract the boys.  There’s much showing off by both genders.  But, in the end, they remain on their respective sides, wanting each other, but not knowing how to say so.”