The first poetry in Grand Rapids cannot be pinpointed on any one poet, date or location. We do know however, based on the historical records of some of the city's prominent social organizations, that poetry has been an integral part of the culture of Grand Rapids throughout its development. One of the earliest and longest standing organizations in Grand Rapids that supported the arts, literature and, to a great extent, poetry was the Ladies Literary Club.

Organized as a Ladies Reading Club during the winter of 1869-1870, the organization raised funds to acquire books and developed a small library for women under the leadership of the founder, Mrs. L. H. Stone of Kalamazoo. In 1873 the group formed a literary club, and set forth as its goal a commitment to the exploration of art and literature, literacy and the overall intellectual development of its members. Poetry reading, writing and recitation became an important function of this organization, and poets who were LLC members were published and recognized at a variety of levels over the years. In 1876, Julia A. Moore who became known as the “Sweet Singer of Michigan” published her first volume, the Sentimental Song Book. Although her poetry was meant to be serious, humorists like Bill Nye and Mark Twain satirized and played upon her focus on death and natural disasters. Perhaps because of their attention, Moore's book became a best-seller. Copies can be found in this collection.

In 1896, LLC member Elizabeth Ballard Thompson began a writing class called the “LLC Scribblers.” The group's participants soon began to experiment in poetry and, by the 1920s, the Scribbler's minutes show three or four poems being read per meeting, as well as an annual manuscript contest including a poetry division. Poetry was obviously important in the intellectual development of this group, as meetings consisted of the ladies reading each other's poetry as well as the poems of nationally and internationally acclaimed poets.

Perhaps the interest in poetry in Grand Rapids during the first quarter of the century was also influenced by the popularity of the national modern poetry movement that was taking place at this time.

It was in 1924 that a member of the LLC Scribblers, Mrs. Letta E. Thomas and Judge Harry Lincoln Creswell, decided to start a new organization of poets. They began meeting as “the Bards of Grand Rapids” and had as initial members other members of the Scribblers, such as Mrs. Myrtle Koon Cherryman, Elenora Pike and Elizabeth Klys. Initially they tried to limit membership to 20 members, but so many people wanted to be involved that they lifted the limit and immediately had more than 60 members. In 1928 the group was incorporated as a cultural society under Michigan Law as a non – profit organization affiliated with the Poetry Society of Michigan and the Academy of American Poets. At each meeting of the Bards themes and due dates were given out for the next weeks writing. Poems were read to the group and peer edited if the members were comfortable receiving criticism. Many won honors in poetry contests and many were featured in publications. Over the years the Bards produced prolific members who came to be established and published poets, some even nationally and internationally. These include Clem Block, Clarence Weaver and Francis O. Rainiville. The bards also published their own anthology in 1927 and 1952 called The Bard's Book. It is interesting to note that the Bards were one of the only poetry organizations of their kind in the United States as their membership included musical composers, and most of the poets recited while music was performed. The Bards seemed to thrive for decades, through the 1950s, 60s and 70s until their numbers began to dwindle. The final documentation of this group represented in the collection is from 1993.

In more recent decades however, other avenues for poetry in Grand Rapids have been widening. In the 1970s the Dyer Ives poetry contest emerged as a local venue for young poets to express themselves and have a chance to be published in the contest winners publication “Voices.” The Dyer Ives contest continues today and has featured poems by some of Grand Rapids' seasoned poets. In the 1980s we see a counter culture version of the poetry collective emerge in “The Twilight Tribe,” a group of local poets who published a poetry magazine called “Pay Up Deadbeat.” The idea of a writer's collective has been maintained in Grand Rapids by a couple of groups that currently meet weekly. One is the UICA Writer's Studio group, which focuses on interaction and sharing of criticism and inspiration. The Grand Rapids Writer's Exchange meets weekly at Barnes and Noble, with a focus on poetry.

The local colleges also support poetry nights and poetry related activities. The Grand Valley State University “poetry night,” as part of their Fall Arts Celebration has featured national favorites such as Sharon Olds and Sonia Sanchez. The Aquinas College Contemporary Writer's Series has featured nationally acclaimed poets yearly since 1990 as well as readings from faculty and students. They also publish a yearly “Sampler” of student poetry. The Calvin College Festival of Faith and Writing has also brought in well known national poets such as Maya Angelou.

In 2003 the Humanities Council at the Grand Rapids Public Library chose Linda Nemec Foster as the first poet laureate of Grand Rapids. Foster is the author of seven books of poetry and co- founder of the Aquinas Contemporary Writer's Series. The position has a two year term. Our current poet laureate is Patricia Clark, a Grand Valley professor who has taught poetry and creative writing courses since 1989.

-History written by Kate Block, 2007