Pam Blair and the Poetry Den

Not just ‘Here’s your latte.’

by Cynthia C. Davis

The poet Pam Blair and the Poetry Den, which she founded and hosts, are inseparable. I had the privilege of interviewing Pam by telephone (because of covid-19 restrictions) and came away with the impression that separating the two is impossible. Even though Pam was a visual artist at an early age, starting to draw when she was 12, and studying art for three years at Columbus, Ohio, College of Art and Design, she is also a fine poet and a supporter and encourager of other poets. She created the Poetry Den, a home for poets to read their work.

Her own poetry comes “from pain and hurt.” She first got into writing poetry when she was going through a divorce. Later, her father underwent a heart transplant surgery. (He lived 22 years as a heart recipient – a record for heart recipients.) Now she suffers from arthritis. “Writing poetry is therapeutic,” she says.

She began reading her poems at open mics. At the time she worked across the street from the Chicory Café and read there. She also read at Fiddler’s Hearth. But those venues also had stand-up comedians and musicians. Pam was willing to host an open mic specifically for poetry. “Reading your poetry isn’t just something you stumble onto; you know what you’re there for.” So she went on to host open mics for poetry. In 2012 she began sponsoring an open mic at Merriman’s Playhouse which went on for 2 years, every 4th Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00. From that experience she learned that we have a strong group of poets in the local area.

The Poetry Den moved to the Civil Rights Heritage Center. She says that they have been hospitable. All kinds of people -- young, old, Black, White, male, female, LGBTQ -- come to read their poetry. And come to listen. The event starts with an open mic and ends with a featured artist. You are not required to sign-up in advance but you may, by emailing her, if you wish. (See the website) The audience fluctuates from 25 folks to more. “Before it starts,” she says, “you wonder if poets and audience will show up but they always do. Until Covid happened. We got lost in the pandemic.” But they found themselves again and have done three virtual events.

Pam is a busy woman. As head of the Poetry Den she has been asked to partner with the Snite Museum at Notre Dame. “We have been there three times.” And she has been asked by BLM, with a grant, to do online curriculum development for teaching class sessions.

“Most of my poems come from life events. Something happens that sparks it, says Blair.

She doesn’t have a collection yet, but she does have a poem published in the first WordPlay anthology. (see my article - https://www.panoplymichiana.com/blog/word-play-poetry-reading-elkhart-indiana - on John Homan and WordPlay in the previous online issue) WordPlay is a spin-off of Pam Blair’s Poetry Den. Several years ago poet John Homan asked her for advice when he wanted to host poetry events like the Poetry Den in Elkhart. He published two anthologies of poems that had been read by poets at the WordPlay open mics. Pam is published in the first volume. “Life and Its Complexities.” was inspired by the death of Robin Williams. “I really loved him,” she says. “He was somebody who could make people laugh and feel joy while suffering like that.”

She feels strongly about having a vision and a mission. That is what she means when she says the Poetry Den is “Not just ‘Here’s your latte.’” As a teacher she emphasizes how to find your voice. “Teaching is more like unlocking their voice,” she says. She quotes the Poetry Den motto: “I. P. M. to C. Inspire. Provoke. Motivate. to Create.” Also from the Poetry Den website: “The Poetry Den is a safe place where we encourage individualism and originality. A place for the written word to come alive.” I urge you to check the website. I promise you’ll be inspired.

Does Pam have a favorite poet? A lot of local poets are her favorites. She mentions Langston Hughes. Her son’s name is Langston. And then there is Mark Twain. She quotes: “The two most important times are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” She explains: “It’s the moment you know you’re not just taking up space.”