Poets

Corey Mesler has published in numerous journals and anthologies. He has published 8 novels, 3 full length poetry collections, and 3 books of short stories. He has also published a dozen chapbooks of both poetry and prose. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize numerous times, and two of his poems were chosen for Garrison Keillor’s Writer’s Almanac. 

With his wife, he runs Burke’s Book Store in Memphis TN, one of the country’s oldest (1875) and best independent bookstores. www.burkesbooks.com

He can be found at www.coreymesler.com.

 ► Corey's Origami micro-chapbooks and selected poems are available below.

Origami Micro-chapbook	Selected Poem(s)
Stone
Cover: Photo by nemo.star * Acknowledgements “A Short Ballad about Louise and the Stone” in Flutter “A Third Stone” in Right Hand Pointing “Coda: Gift” in Pegasus	{mooblock=Coda: Gift} A child will bring a stone home and keep it as if it were a precious gem. This is the understanding of the world we lose as we age. On my desk is a desiccated flower, a gift from my daughter, the bestowing angel, and the stone, now here, conferred. • Corey Mesler © 2014 {/mooblock}
To Writing You
Cover art by Chloe Mesler   Acknowledgements: “To Writing You” in Yes, Poetry “Walking on God’s Good Side” in Curio •	{mooblock=Walking On God's Good Side} O rarely will the thing you most need rise to your hand. O rarely will your love come to you on your darkest day with the precise counter-spell. O, friend, why do you sit and wait for the bell? Rise now and open the drapes. The man or woman outside has a word for you. It’s only a word to start the conversation. But O, friend, you too are made of earth. Alike, you are made of breath, too. • Corey Mesler © 2012 {/mooblock}

Sheila Parenteau attended her first poetry workshop in October 2011 facilitated by the Ocean State Poets.  “They opened up the beautiful world of poetry and inspired me to find my voice." 

Sheila became a commercial artist and enjoyed a wide variety of endeavors from painting murals for homes and businesses to illustrating commemorative posters of cities and states - as well as designing logos.  Deciding to change carreers, Sheila became an Occupational Therapy Assistant where she could further apply her artistic and creative skills.  "I find it more rewarding to work with people and help them feel better thru doing and creating."

Today, Sheila works as a COTA in a hospital Geri-Psych department using Art, Music, and Writing with as many groups as possible.   “I am blessed with a wonderful husband and two daughters who also write poetry and are artistic,” she’s happy to affirm.

► Sheila's Origami micro-chapbook is available for printing.  See below and click on the title.

    Melanie Faith holds an MFA in poetry from Queens University of Charlotte, NC. She has been a small town journalist, an ESL classroom teacher for international students, and (currently) a literature and writing tutor at a college prep high school, an online creative writing instructor, and a freelance editor.

 ► Melanie's microchap & selected poem are available below.

       Helen M. D'Ordine was a retired teacher, adjunct professor at Rhode Island College, a member of The Writers' Circle, a Block Island Poetry Project participant, an Ocean State Poet, and a RI Writing Project Fellow. 

In 2011, she published a chapbook, Conclusive Illusions.  Her poems have appeared in Mobius, RI Writers' Circle Anthology, The Providence Journal: Poetry Corner, sheShines, Medicine & Health/RI, The Oak, and Celebrate: Poets Speak Out.

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August 2022 Update:

We were sad to learn of Helen's passing. A long-time supporter of the Origami Poems Project from the beginning, she was a good friend and will be missed.

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Kik Skakel Williams lives in Providence with her three mini-dachshunds, three chickens, and a cat. She is a ceramic artist, poet, laughter yoga teacher and until recently a water aerobics instructor.

Her passion is passion.

She likes pushing herself to do uncomfortable things like travelling solo to countries where she knows only one word, “ola” or kayaking class four rapids after only a few days in a kayak. Her family have flown the coop; a grandchild is on it’s way...

 ► Kik's Origami micro-chapbooks & selected poems are available below.

        Ruth Siperstein is a retired English teacher of both high school and Community College. She has been published in the Newport Review, Crone's Nest, the Heartbeat of New England, and other journals. Other interests include music, photography, and the natural world.

She feels lucky to "live where I can see the cove and the trees, that is what often catches my imagination. I love the changing light and the magic it creates.”

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Update:  We were sad to learn that Ruth Siperstein left us on January 12th of 2022.  We wanted to share an exerpt friom her online obituary:

'Ruth ... taught at Cranston High School East, and then at the Community College of Rhode Island. She very much appreciated the students who kept in touch with her long after their graduations. ...

After retirement, Ruth volunteered for a variety of organizations. She was involved in the poetry group through the North Kingstown library, where she also volunteered.'

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Nahshon Cook's poems have appeared in literary publications which include Spiritual Directors International, The Houston Literary Review, Post Poetry Magazine, and the Salmon Poetry Anthology Dog’s Singing. His first collection of poetry A New Beginning was published in January 2010 by Paper Flower Press and has been nominated for the 2011 Colorado Book Award. He has poems forthcoming in the Desperanto Press Anthology Bound By Secrets 3. 

At times he lives in Bangkok,Thailand.

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Origami Micro-chapbook	Selected Poem(s)
Nonthaburi Immigration
Cover photo by Nahshon Cook Nonthaburi  - a central province of Thailand •	{mooblock=No. 1)} Forty-five minutes into the taxi ride to the immigration office the driver realized he’d lost us. So, he parked on the side of the road and asked for help from a few different passing pedestrians which landed us at a Visa stamping office for Thais wanting to go to Cambodia. By now he was quite upset. So, he hailed another taxi, gave the driver the paper with the directions on it, kicked me out of his car and drove off. When we arrived the taxi driver tried to charge me eighty baht more than the meter said I owed. I gave him exact change and thanked him for his help. • Nahshon Cook © 2013 {/mooblock}
Prayer
Cover photo by Nahshon Cook •	{mooblock=The Gift of Goodbye} and also I’ve learned that when the time comes for me to go I’ll be able to walk away •   Nahshon Cook © 2011 {/mooblock}
Light
Cover painting by Dudley Pace •	{mooblock=From the Sermon Preached at their Wedding} The light of God is people in love. • Nahshon Cook © 2011 {/mooblock}