Thursday, May 27, 2021
I try to contain my enthusiasm and limit myself to two posts a week. However, I was asked to post this today. But it’s not about me! Today I’m doing something a little different.
Anthologies are a great way to get to know the work of different authors. Recently, I offered to participate in the launch of a new anthology that Roberta Eaton Cheadle spearheaded. She asked me to feature someone I don’t know from Adam. What better way to get acquainted? So here goes! But first, since everybody likes free stuff…
A Giveaway!
Follow the tour and leave a comment at each stop for a chance to win one of three digital copies of Poetry Treasures to be given away. (Winners will be randomly selected following the end of the tour.)

Book Blurb
A collection of poetry from the poet/author guests of Robbie Cheadle on the “Treasuring Poetry” blog series on Writing to be Read in 2020. Open the book and discover the poetry treasures of Sue Vincent, Geoff Le Pard, Frank Prem, Victoria (Tori) Zigler, Colleen M. Chesebro, K. Morris, Annette Rochelle Aben, Jude Kitya Itakali, and Roberta Eaton Cheadle.
PLEASE NOTE. I take no credit for the rest of this post. I did not write or edit the content. All praise goes either to Frank or Robbie.
Meet Frank Prem

What’s behind Reading Modern Poets?
This piece was written at a time of great frustration with my writing. On the one hand, I had just recently started to find my poetic ‘voice’ – the style and approach that was to remain with me to this day. A wonderful moment.
On the other hand, though, I was wracked with self doubt and constantly comparing my work with that of others – looking for faults and flaws, and forever being told that I should ‘read modern poets’ because that was the only way for a poet to truly develop.
And I did read them. At least, I made the attempt to read them. And I loathed them. As the poem declares: I really don’t care for poetry, much.
Also, I now believe I was afraid of them. Afraid that I would find their work so strong, and so powerful that my own efforts would be blown away as chaff in a breeze.
That I would find myself lacking.
The end always resulted in my self wondering who the person was, what made them seem so ‘great’ in poetry circles. Why the incomprehensible, inaccessible gibberish I encountered was considered so much above and beyond the merely mortal realms. A very defensive posture, protecting the budding writer in me from death by self-mortification, or unintentional imitation.
I found one writer who delighted me, for a time, and he was definitely a ‘modern poet’. Charles Bukowski. Him I could tolerate, celebrate, and enjoy.
The point of my poem ‘Reading Modern Poets’ is that statements advocating learning from some identified group of Masters are easy to make, but are rarely much more than platitudes. What is of interest about Masters isn’t what they wrote, but how they wrote, why they wrote, and what turned scribble into stanza, mundane into magnificent. The last thing a budding poet needs is to be overcome by work whose brilliance flashed across the sky long before.
Just before I wrote this poem – many years ago, now – I found roses had been left on my doorstep, sometime during the previous night. I did not know from whom, and I did not know just when they had been left there for me to find.
That, for me, became a place to find modern poetry.
***

Frank Prem Author Bio
Frank Prem has been a storytelling poet since his teenage years. He has been a psychiatric nurse through all of his professional career, which now exceeds forty years.
He has been published in magazines, online zines and anthologies in Australia, and in a number of other countries, and has both performed and recorded his work as spoken word.
He lives with his wife in the beautiful township of Beechworth in North East Victoria, Australia.
Frank blogs at Frank Prem Poetry which you can find here: https://frankprem.com/
Frank Prem’s Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Prem/e/B07L61HNZ4
Frank Prem’s Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18679262
Poetry Treasures Purchase Links
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Treasures-Sue-Vincent-ebook/dp/B0933KSJR9
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poetry-Treasures-Sue-Vincent/dp/B093QLNGC5
Here’s wishing Robbie and Frank huge success. Hugs on the wing!
.
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.
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Reblogged this on Love & Love Alone.
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Welcome Nelson. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m a bit of a late arrival to this tour stop, but I want to thank you, Teagan for hosting and supporting this tour. Your review is greatly appreciated, too. 😉
Frank, this is a wonderful post offering insight. Proud to have you as a contributor to both the tour and the anthology. Thanks for your support of the tour.
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My pleasure, Kaye. Hugs!
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Thank you Teagan for your awesome review of all fantastic writers and poets. Lovely post.
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Thank you, Kamal. I hope they have much success with this combined effort. Hugs on the wing.
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You are always welcome Teagan and yes hope they all do great with their combined effort. Hugs and love to you too.
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Thank you, Kamal. It’s a great anthology to be a part of.
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I remember Frank’s reading of “Reading Modern Poets.” It’s an excellent poem.
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Thanks for visiting, Liz, and for your endorsement. I’m sure that if Frank were here he’d be pleased. Hugs on the wing.
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You’re welcome, Teagan.
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Thanks so much, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Frank.
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Wow! You are the Cat’s Pyjamas, Teagan!
This is a fab post, and I will visit a few. Will I visit all? I don’t know. It’s a time thing, and time will tell.
BTW, I loved Robbie’s Youtube post on DOW4…. I think it was 4? Anyway, l adore listening to her. She did good by both of you!
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Thanks Resa. I agree completely about Robbie’s video. It was such a lovely surprise when I stumbled upon it before her blog review. Stay safe and well. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, Resa. Hope you enjoy the anthology and visiting the authors.
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This sounds like a fabulous collection of poems from amazing poets! Thank you for sharing, Teagan!
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It really is, Jan. Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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Hey Jan. Thank you.
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This is on my TBR list and a good reminder it needs to be moved up! Xo
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Thank you, Denise. I hope you enjoy it.
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LOL, indeed it does, Denise. With your skill in poetry, I think you will really enjoy it. Hugs on the wing!
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Hope you enjoy it, Denise.
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This anthology sounds wonderful, Teagan, and thanks for sharing with us. I appreciated Frank’s words as feeling self-doubt and comparing to other writers can be done so effortlessly. I look forward to reading this book. 💞
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It’s good to see you, Lauren. It really is a nice anthology. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you for your lovely comment. Frank’s poetry is excellent and compelling.
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Thank you. I vividly recall my early days of not knowing whether I was a writer, a scribbler, a pretender, or just nothing in relation to writing.
Some days still.
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This sounds like such a great read with poets I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I’m sure to pick it up! Thanks for being part of the tour, Teagan, and congrats to the authors.
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Thanks for voicing your support, Diana. Hugs on the wing.
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Hi Diana, I am glad you enjoyed this post and this book appeals to you. I enjoyed being in an anthology with so many wonderful poetry bloggers.
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I’m looking forward to it, Robbie.
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Hope you enjoy it, DIana. It was a pleasure to be a part of.
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My interest is piqued! Off to learn more about this anthology!
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It’s quite a variety, Priscilla. Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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Hi Priscilla, I am glad you enjoyed this post. Frank is a very talented poet.
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Hope you find it to be a great read, Priscilla. Cheers!
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Thank so much for sharing, Teagan. Wishing all of the authors a successful tour.
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Robbie and Kaye have planned an interesting tour, Jill. Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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Hi Jill, thanks for visiting and commenting.
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I’ve come across Frank’s work in other blogs as well, and it was interesting to read his opinion on the effect it might have on poets (and writers of any genre) to be told to learn from the recognized masters. Thanks for sharing and good luck to all the authors participating and to Robbie and Kaye Lynne with this anthology.
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Thanks for taking a moment to read and comment, Olga. Hugs on the wing!
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Hi Olga, I love the way Frank links many of the poems in his various books to one central idea and theme. It is like reading a poetry story and that really works for me.
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Thank you, Olga.
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Reblogged this on Seventeen Syllable Poetry and commented:
Thank you for sharing, Teagan. Robbie and Kaye Lynne have done a wonderful job with the book.
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Welcome, Frank. It’s my pleasure. Wishing everyone huge success. Thanks for reblogging. Hugs!
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Thank you Teagan, from one of the lucky participants in this anthology and well done Frank.
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Robbie and Kaye have made done overall tour in an interesting way, Geoff. I’m sure it will be a success. Thanks for taking time to visit. Hugs on the wing!
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Hi Geoff, thanks for visiting and supporting the tour.
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G’day Geoff. Just caught up with your article – what a huge challenge. Well done on that and on the accompanying poem – as big as the task. Loved it.
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Thanks Frank..
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Many thanks for your support of the tour Geoff. Nice to see you here. 🙂
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Great tour post and good to see Frank here. I enjoyed this anthology very much and reviewed on my blog.
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Thanks for supporting it, Marje. Feel free to come back with a link to your review. Hugs on the wing!
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Hi Teagan. Meant to post this a few days ago. Here is the link to the review: https://mjmallon.com/2021/04/29/book-review-poetry-treasures-roberta_cheadle-godsangel1-poetry-review-new-release/
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HI Marje, thank you. I appreciate your review and your support of this tour.
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Hi Marje. Thank you. It’s a wonderful tour to be a part of, and I’m enjoying learning a little more about each of the contributors.
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That’s awesome Frank. All the best to you and the other contributors.
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Thanks Marje.
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Hi Teagan, thank you so much for participating in this tour and hosting terrific poet, Frank Prem. I appreciate it very much.
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It is indeed my pleasure, Robbie. I’m glad to participate. Wishing everyone huge success. Have a relaxing evening. Hugs on the wing!
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I appreciate your rating to, Teagan.
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I only just realized that my Internet went out before my review posted. Sigh… My internet was miraculously healed for a few months this winter, and now it’s back to the disaster it was last year. Onward.
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Oh, that is a great shame, Teagan. Ours can be erratic too and now we have fibre and a 5-G backup as we can’t afford to be off line.
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I really wish they had fiber-optic here, Robbie. It would be worth the investment. Hugs.
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{{hugs}} to you also, Teagan.
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