The Virginia Veterans Poetry Project has a message for all who’ve served: Your story needs to be heard. Writing poetry may be the best way for you to turn your memories into meaning. This veterans’ service organization has set up a Botetourt County and Roanoke area workshop to do just that, led by Daleville resident Mark Fryburg.
In a small group lasting no more than two hours, former military service men and women will learn how to use the power of words to express what they may never have said before.
“Poems can be a great way to bring thoughts and emotions to life. And, they do not have to rhyme,” said Fryburg, the award-winning poet who leads the workshop. “The project’s theme is ‘Perseverance and Resilience,’ something vets know about.”
The group’s additional facilitator is teacher, poet and Western Regional Vice President of the Poetry Society of Virginia Christina Linsin of Covington. “We welcome all ability levels,” she said. “The only requirement is to come ready for discovery and some writing.” Veterans from all military branches, including Coast Guard, are welcome, free of charge.
Army Vietnam War vet Ken Conklin of Daleville found writing poetry released a lot of pent-up feelings after his duty in Vietnam. “I had cancer brought on by my exposure to Agent Orange. I again experienced the healing powers of poetry,” he said.
The workshop meets May 16, 1:45 to 3:45 p.m. at the Raleigh Court Library, 2112 Grandin Road, SW, in Roanoke. Preregistration is required at https://veteranspoetryproject7.wordpress.com/workshops/.
The 2025-26 Virginia Poet Laureate Mattie Quesenberry Smith created the project, funded by an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship award. Poetry Society of Virginia, Virginia Commission for the Arts, library organizations and a group of military veteran poets provided in-kind support. In June, the project will publish a poetry anthology written by veterans.
For more, see https://veteranspoetryproject7.wordpress.com/ or email Mark Fryburg, vetpoetry@icloud.com.
~ Submitted by Mark Fryburg
