I want to thank Alandra Johnson and Andy Tullis for the lovely job they did on the “Brake For Poetry” article that appeared in The Bulletin on Jan. 19. There was one important omission: this idea was cooked up when I lived on Elgin Street last year, with my neighbor, Denny Dragan. We had a late summer conversation in his front yard, one thing led to another, and the “Poem of the Month” was born of that wonderful exchange. So I must credit and thank Denny for helping plant that seed.

I hoped others might be inspired to offer a “Poem of the Month,” or some variation thereof, after reading your article. So I was thoroughly delighted today when Tina Davis, owner of Camalli Book Company, called me to say she plans to put a box outside her store, offering literature, poetry and art. “Drive-through” nourishment for brain and soul. Rumi, the Sufi poet, wrote: “When someone asks what there is to do, light the candle in their hand.” Thanks for helping spread the light!

Karen Castelbaum

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