Sunshine Poets

10/12/2026

Two of Sunshine Poets' former Presidents: Joyce Shiver (l.) and Gail Teachworth. 10-12-2012.

10/10/2026

On this day in 1964, Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree was first published. 🌳

More than six decades later, its story of love, generosity, and giving continues to touch readers around the world.

Happy anniversary to The Giving Tree!

10/08/2026

Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who challenge us to think deeper, discover our voices, and recognize the possibilities within ourselves.

While Dr. Maya Angelou is remembered worldwide as a poet, author, performer, and civil rights activist, she also deeply valued another title: teacher.

Dr. Angelou joined the faculty of Wake Forest University in 1982 as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies. Over the decades, she taught courses spanning poetry, literature, race, culture, and the humanities, inspiring generations of students both inside and beyond the classroom.

Reflecting on her calling, she once said: “I’m not a writer who teaches. I’m a teacher who writes.”

For Dr. Angelou, education was never simply about what you could learn from a textbook. Her classroom encouraged students to question, think critically, defend their ideas, encounter different perspectives, and recognize their shared humanity.

Her own approach to life was rooted in a lesson passed down to her early: “When you get, give. When you learn, teach.”

Today, we honor Dr. Angelou’s legacy as an educator and all of the teachers who continue to give what they have learned, helping shape the thinkers, creators, leaders, and teachers of tomorrow.

Tag a teacher who made a lasting impact on your life. ❤️

10/05/2026

Learn to write modern haiku.

Modern Haiku with Colette Marks
ZOOM: Tuesdays, October 6–October 20, 3:00–4:00 PM • $45
Begin writing haiku in a modern style after learning the traditional forms. This workshop will meet three times and will look at traditional forms of haiku before guiding you through writing your own.

https://carnegiecenterlex.org/class/modern-haiku/

10/05/2026

FSPA Monthly Open Mic
October 6 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Virtual Event
Join the Monthly FSPA Open Mic

Hosted by Peter Gordon

Bring a poem, or join as an audience member

Every member has 5 minutes to read

First Tuesday of every Month.

Zoom link:

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10/04/2026

Congratulations to New River Poets', Janet Watson, on her Category 1 first-place win in the Florida State Poets Association's 2026 fall contest! Congratulations to all the winners!

Send a message to learn more

10/03/2026

FSPA's fall conference is ongoing in Sanford, FL. Richard Blanco just gave a workshop on Letter Poems. I attended via Zoom.

10/03/2026

I'm Zooming the FSPA's fall convention (it's in Sanford, FL). Breaking for lunch. I just enjoyed Chancellor Carol Frost's workshop, "Poetry Dares."

10/02/2026

Manuscript Contest.

Barbara Stevens Poetry Book
Manuscript Competition
Submit today for a chance to have your book published
Deadline Oct I5
nfsps.submittable.com

10/02/2026

Student Poetry Contest.

National Federation of State Poetry SocietiesThe National Federation of State Poetry Societies offers online submission for the Stevens Poetry Manuscript Competition, the College Undergraduate Poetry Competition, the BlackBerryPeach Prizes for Poetry: Spoken and Heard, the NFSPS Founders Award Conte...