Stephen Kalmar II
CONTACT:
Email: skalmar@wi.rr.com
Phone: 262-308-2892 (txt best)
Websites: www.spectrumschoolandgallery.org (See Artery or Events), https://krpoetslaureate.wordpress.com/about/previous-poets-laureate/
Facebook: Spectrum School of the Arts and Gallery, Kenosha/Racine Poets Laureate Program
BIO:
stephen kalmar II grew biggest north of Toronto, Canada. Began writing and publishing while a teen. In 1977 after a disappointing move to Wisconsin (whatdeya mean no hockey) he joined the Root River Poets writers consortium; current byline of moderator. After a shortened Military service (and a refusal to attend West Point Military Academy), he returned to Racine to study Philosophy, Creative Writing, Speling and web design at The UW Parkside.
Has worked as editor of poetry anthologies, published handfuls of his work in newsprint, on-line, books, academic and listing journals. Has given hundreds of publics readings, some invited. With his children has acted in theater on stage, radio and television. In 2011, was named a Racine Poets Laureate. Spends his time judging poetry contests, providing writing workshops and now annoying his juniors. Created the artists collaborative series, Artery with Spectrum Gallery in Racine. Most of all, knows a good piece of writing when he sees it and feels at his advanced age the right to say so. Like any serious writer, does not believe his press or open mic introductions (except Linneman's Poets Mondays). He is currently Co-President of the Kenosha/Racine Poet's Laureate Committee.
He also produces, shows and less often sells, photographs and multi-media arts, under the family name billie morrow, a nod to his creative mother, who never got the chance.
In real life works with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, so be extra nice to kids when he is around.
If you are a poet in the SE Wisconsin area (or willing to travel here) and are interested in participating, learning more about Artery or the Root River Poets; critiquing meets, please contact above.
Poetry
Sites Set
that face forward
and up
almond sweet squint
chalk bright lines
hopscotch
bright eyes
eyes right
cover eyes
that scan
for light
some say
that
one remembered
rises
from dying
or didn't die
didn't cross that border
when the bell rang them in
what Ifs;
kept her home that day
didn't send her that school
didn't turn towards
her look to me
her Daddy love you
didn't notice the hair lock
matted
pinked monkey-bar cheek
warming smile
last word wanting
before
my strIde out?
my Love You More
left at
the same entry
that guns came in
set
darked
reloaded
snuffed out
and went silent
too hot to touch
didn't fear the news
until
large screen
talking heads
thoughts for the families
focused
her empty
bled-wet
shoe
stilled
tied
i want to say
wish
that their pain
was less
than mine
will be
the rest of my life
the strength of shadow
here
that severs hope
that one day
another entry
open her bedroom
door
to see
the rise and fall
and she sleeping there
Between the Lines
this once upon a time-
if I were in a book
or a book
it would be
pocked streets
without signage
house cells
without prisoners
lots of rude men
sun themselves
basted course language
spilling guts
history their beards
little manners
that link
what might have been-
witnesses
bystanders
vacant as cement
carny slogan-sayers
sing alarm
fragment
barn raisings
toss n roll bones
that come up ghosts
and stick thin arms
pale, still
and strain
to catch the notes
of autumn blown skin
frozen skate ponds
with shadows
that suck you under
like garish poets
caught
in their own melt
you'd open one look
bound cracked-
homeless
your'e sucked in
spine flowers crippled
by bloom
some fatal
and blood red
not afraid to miss something
not afraid to share
my reading