STORY BY SIENNA RODRIGUEZ
PHOTOS BY CARMEN FANNING
The Hays Poetry Group hosted its quarterly open mic at the Paisley Pear this past Saturday, Jan. 28.
Poets alike in the community of Hays were invited to share their original work, as well as the work of their favorite poets.
Since the group’s inception in Sept. 2018, they have worked vigorously to grow awareness and membership in the Hays area. This effort proved to be working in their favor on Saturday when a fellow poet informed the group that he traveled over 100 miles to be in attendance.
“I think that we need to have more poetry in our area,” said founder Dawne Leiker. “I don’t think people have really understood how important it is for expressing yourself and getting your ideas out there.”
Leiker’s own inspiration to found the Hays Poetry Group stemmed from her love of poetry, whether she was simply reading it, or writing her own.
The Hays Poetry Group holds meetings the second Tuesday of every month at the Paisley Pear at 6 p.m.
For all poets, be on the lookout this April for the Hays Poetry Group’s 20th annual poetry competition at the Hays Public Library. Awards will be given out to the first and second place winners.
The Poetry Group will hold their next open mic on Saturday, February 29th at 3:00 p.m. at the Paisley Pear.