Better Than Starbucks
 

The new issue of Better Than Starbucks! is out, with many poems by current and former Spherians, including Gail White, Aaron Poochigian, Jerome Betts, Bill Lantry, Jean Kreiling, Ed Conti, Barbara Loots, Richard Wakefield, John Beaton, Martin Elster, and me. There is an interview by Vera Ignatowitsch with A. E. Stallings and some of Stallings's poems. Four of my Rilke translations are posted in Translations, three of which were not workshopped here. Here are a few relevant links (note that I don't think "sentimental poetry" is an accurate designation of what appears there).

https://www.betterthanstarbucks.org/...rhyming-poetry

https://www.betterthanstarbucks.org/...winner-top-ten

https://www.betterthanstarbucks.org/poetry-translations

https://www.betterthanstarbucks.org/

https://www.betterthanstarbucks.org/sentimental-poetry

Susan

Congrats Susan!

And, reading closely, a host of other people on the 'Sphere.

Congrats, Susan and Martin!

Thanks for the links, Susan. And congratulations to all.

I didn't know I was capable of sentimental poetry. may be what I have been looking for.

Schiller has a whole essay on sentimental poetry. Well, half an essay. Congratulations all!!

John

These are nice poems, indeed. Congratulations, Spherians!

It is a pleasure to receive submissions from Spherians. :)

Long ago, as this section was developing, it was a bit of a catchall. Our description for search engines now says, "cherished memories, love, nostalgia, serious, humorous, quirky...". The idea now is to include poems that might induce a smile or a tear.

Sentimental is one of those words that has a bad rep (ie. Hallmark), yet sentiment is a powerful motivator of poetry. Suggestions for a more accurate section title are welcome!

Best,
Vera

Vera, what about "poignant poetry"? I think "sentimental" these days has taken on such negative associations that it is not going to attract many readers, but readers do often enjoy poems that evoke emotion.

Susan

That's attractive, Susan; I like the alliteration and will put it to the other editors. Thank you!

We also posted a congratulations to you as winner of the Sonnet Contest, but have not encountered you on Facebook.
https://tinyurl.com/yau5glno

Vera

Vera - I thought of "poignant," too, but Susan beat me to the punch!
I also thought of "Impassioned Poetry."