The Sealey Challenge

So, I was looking for another challenge, or something to spice things up a bit – literary-speaking – and I came across The Sealey Challenge, created by the poet Nicole Sealey. The challenge is to read one book of poetry every day in August, and to read as many diverse voices as possible. Now, my “go to” poets are the likes of Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes, and Seamus Heaney, for example. I might read some Wendell Berry, and I absolutely love Galway Kinnell’s The Bear.

However, these guys and gal are all white. So I’ve ordered a bunch of books from the library, including lots of black poets. I won’t get through a book a day as I have to write, but I can easily read a couple of poems each day this August. And then, just because it’s fun, I’m going to try to write a poem each day too. I may even post a couple here on the blog.

And… that’s when everyone runs away, screaming – most likely, but as fast as humanly possible. 🙂

I understand. Really, I do. But I’d rather read a bad poem than bad prose. So, brace yourselves, there’s bad poetry comin’!

Unfortunately, the Danish library – usually beyond amazing – doesn’t have a single book by Nicole Sealey. I’ll have to track her down elsewhere.

Chris