“In challenging times like these, poetry and the written word give expression to our col- lective experience, enrich our understanding with new insight and perspective, challenge us and inspire us. CAPS anthologies achieve this consistently by bringing together gifted artists from the Hudson Valley and across the world, and we thank you for the opportu- nity to explore perspectives on social justice, injustice, and liberation through this vibrant collection of work.”

— Senator Jen Metzger
New York State Senate, 42nd District

“To inspire change, we must not shy away from difficult conversations and perhaps now more than ever, poetry provides an outlet to communicate with one other in a unique and beautiful way about important issues. Poet Gold’s passion and energy for poetry is evident in all she does; she shared that passion throughout the county for two years as our Dutchess County Poet Laureate, and again as curator of this meaningful anthology.”

— Marc Molinaro
Dutchess County Executive

“As we face a pandemic not unprecedented, as our nation is being fueled by hate trying for a TBT1619...open, honest, and vulnerable conversations while listening with our hearts and not our egos—these are all important factors in shifting that whole trajectory. Haram- bee (Kingston, NY) celebrates this assemblage of celebrated poets, writers, and slam artists of all nations, backgrounds, and colours as we call upon our ancestors to help us continue the dialogue, with all mutual respect, on how we will stand our ground as a coming to- gether of people...with one heart, one love...by all and every means necessary.”

— Tyrone Wilson
Founder, Harambee Kingston NY Ulster County Commissioner of Human Resources

“Artists—the poets, writers, painters, performers, muralists, and musicians—have the abil- ity to distill the world they live in through their art. They are today’s prophets, philoso- phers, and truth tellers that make sense of our lives and societies. This anthology put together in 2020 captures the urgent voices of poets harmonizing with the voices of the oppressed, the forgotten, the newly awakened, and the ignored. The call for change is clear, but as John Lewis stated, sometimes we need to get into necessary trouble to make change. These poems speak of memories, outrage, and a call for change using voices built through resiliency, yet moving ahead with hope.”

— Linda Marston-Reid
visual artist, art writer Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson, NY

praise for caps poetry 2020
and caps series

“In the two decades in which I’ve been a CAPS fan, I have been wowed time and again by the poets and the poetry of my beloved Hudson Valley. What you hold in your hands is but the tip of a glorious iceberg, but what a refreshing tip it is!”

~ John Leonard Pielmeier, actor, poet, playwright (Agnes of God, The Boys of Winter, Hook’s Tale, The Exorcist); novelist, (Hook’s Tale); screenwriter (The Pillars of The Earth)

“This anthology captures the vital community of writers living in the Hudson Valley. Calling All Poets over the course of twenty years as evidenced in this volume has nurtured and supported numerous poets, with distinct voices, approaches, styles, and genres. This is a rich and compelling collection of works that speaks deeply to many as- pects of the human experience and provides illumination; childhood memories, family relationships, lost love, the search for the meaning in existence, and the witnessing of injustice are all powerfully portrayed. I appreciate the range of form and style from lyric poems to persona and prose poetry , from rich descriptive sensory pieces to philosoph- ical inquiries and surreal and mythic visions. This is a volume that deserves to be read many times, and each time a reader will find new poetic treasures.”

—Jan Zlotnik Schmidt, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor co-editor of A Slant of Light: Contemporary Women Writers of the Hudson Valley

“Calling All Poets has successfully created a diverse community of poets and writers who support one another. Whenever I’m there, I feel as if I am part of something bigger, a movement in the arts. In addition, they have embraced technology, streaming readers outside the area live and broadcasting the events online. Calling all Poets is the best series in the Hudson Valley!

~ Rebecca Schumejda, poet, Cadillac Men, Waiting at the Dead End Diner

“CAPS is about poetry of course. But it’s also about community, how it’s actually created a community of diverse personalities and backgrounds that come together each month to speak in the one language we all know: The spoken word. Every month there’s a mark on the calendar that we all look forward to.”

~ Ken Holland, poet, Pushcart nominee

“The Hudson Valley boasts a plethora of fascinating poets whose active participation in readings and local events makes them a reliable source of wisdom and inspiration.”

~ Dr. Lucia Cherciu, poet, Lepădarea de Limbă (The Abandonment of Language)

“The Hudson Valley gives voice to writers and poets who have something of value to say and a comfortable environment for accomplishing this important endeavor. From the caves of Rosendale to the richness of Roost Studios, the Hudson Valley has nurtured me and advanced my career.”

~ Eddie Bell, author, poet, Capt’s Dreaming Chair, Festival of Tears

“The Hudson Valley is one of the most vibrant and exciting poetry regions in the country and Calling All Poets at in Beacon is a centerpiece for the power of words. I feel fortu- nate to be part of this creative current and to be able to share the art of language with the hundreds of writers I’ve met and whose works I’ve been able to read and hear over the years.”

~ Laurence Carr, author Pancake Hollow Primer; editor: Reflecting Pool: Poets and the Creative Process and Riverine, co-editor of WaterWrites & A Slant of Light (Codhill Press)

“Thanks to both the many hardworking poetry hosts and the scores of poets who come out to share their work it sometimes seems one could attend a reading every day. And the truly wonderful thing is that the region is home to a number of extremely gifted poets who can leave an audience wishing their reading would never end.”

~ Matthew J. Spireng, poet, and three time Pushcart nominee

“I can’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. Where else could I find the variety, the devotion, the matter-of-fact respect for poetry not just as an art but a fact of life? From the poetry gangs of Albany to the lost souls of Orange County, I believe the Hudson Valley provides a unique climate for poets of all inclinations to share their work in a supportive environment, a gift not always available to other creators.”

~ Cheryl A. Rice, poet, My Minnesota Boyhood, Moses Parts The Tulips

“Generations of painters have drawn inspiration from the age-worn corrugations in Hudson Valley landscapes and the glow of the skies overhead after late-summer thunderstorms give way to dusk. Folk singers impassioned by the rainbow taint of pollutants in the fabled Hudson River gave voice to the modern environmental movement. This latest collection of verse penned by the region’s poets—from acidic to comedic to political to pastoral—shows how fertile the ground here is for the written and spoken word, as well. Dive in!”

~ Andy Revkin, longtime environmental journalist, sometime songwriter

“The CAPS Anthology is living proof that poetry, literature and those who continue to create and/or appreciate it are not defined by their location, education, pigmentation or social station. In 2019, The Anthology’s home base, the historic Hudson Valley, retains the same magical spirit that inspired 19th Century visual artists to excel and reflect their surroundings. After reading this new collection in the latest CAPS Anthology, we all look forward to MORE!!! Thank you Calling All Poets and all of today’s poets for inspiring us and our kids by sharing words and images of lasting value!!”

- David Amram, conductor, composer, and, with Jack Kerouac, the undisputed co-founder of what has become Jazzoetry

“This twentieth anniversary Calling All Poets Anthology consists of some of the best poems by more than forty poets included in the CAPS poetry reading series. The collection is dedicated to Donald Lev (1936-2018) who edited and published Home Planet News, among countless contributions to the literary community. Among the mellifluous vein of talented poets, a sample includes Laurence Carr, Donald Lev, Susan Hoover, Mary Makofske, Roger Aplon, Irene O’Garden, Rebecca Schumejda, Matthew J. Spireng, Lucia Cherciu, Ruth Danon, Bertha Rogers, Jim Eve, Pauline Uchmanowicz, and Mike Jurkovic. This is an anthology that speaks to the current political climate, to nature and climate change, to family dynamics and all phases of human life. Whether shouts or celebra- tions, prayers or meditations, these poems demonstrate that the Hudson River a shelter for poets and dreamers today just as it once was for Hudson River School painters in the nineteenth century.

~ Margo Taft Stever, author Cracked Piano (CavanKerry Press, 2019)

“What if the poets of the Hudson Valley had a party and everybody came? This hospitable and yet lively (read: rockin’) anthology catches that spirit. This isn’t a Hudson River School of poetry. It’s a Hudson Valley lyric line dance. Everyone’s invited. Come on down.”

~ TR Hummer, poet Eon (LSU Press, 2018), After The Afterlife (Acre Books, 2018), The Infinity Sessions (Southern Messenger Poets, 2005)

“The varied crowd Calling All Poets attracts makes for lively nights. It’s rare that we have a dull evening. The fact that the hosts are welcoming and gracious for the presence of a supportive crowd speaks volumes. You don’t have nearly the sense of camaraderie anywhere else.”

~ Christopher Wheeling, poet, CAPS photographer

“I believe that if CAPS continues on the path it is now blazing it will become an important milestone in the growth of American Poetry.”

~ Glenn Werner, poet Premeditated Contrition and other poems, CAPS Tech Czar

“Poets have grown up at CAPS.”

~ Jim Eve, poet, founder, co-host, Calling All Poets

Poets and artists from different disciplines use each other’s work as a starting point for new ideas and creative thinking (a practice known as ekphrasis). It is not about illustrating poems or providing a close narrative for visual art. There is not a right or wrong way of seeing or understanding. Be surprised and excited by each other’s responses. This project culminated in a month long exhibition at Roost Studios and Art Gallery in September 2017, to showcase the visual and written creative connections. (New Paltz, NY)