08-Jul-2007
HOLYOKE - Now in its fifth year, Nautilus II a collection of poetry and art by young mothers who are studying at The Care Center, has earned praise from some of the country's top poets. Essayist and poet Martín Espada writes: "The Care Center is a place of hope, courage, redemption, energy and hard work. You can see it, hear it, and feel it in these poems. "
The Care Center is an inspirational non-profit educational center where young women study academic subjects for their GEDs, along with a range of other classes including poetry, art, computers, parenting, nutrition and athletics.
As part of the poetry program led by author and educator Tzivia Gover, students this year read poems by classic and contemporary authors including Lucille Clifton, Julia de Burgos, Robert Frost, Christina Rosetti, and dozens of others. In response they wrote their own poetry about their experiences as mothers, students and citizens.
Award-winning author Naomi Shihab Nye, who visited the center as part of The Care Center's literary series, wrote: "The writers at The Care Center write honestly and eloquently of the deep lives they are living and the mysterious, complicated, beautiful world we share. Celebrate them!"
Nautilus II, vol. 5, Spring 2007
ISSN 1938-5994
$10
available at Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley, Mass., www.odysseybks.com
or through The Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. www.carecenterholyoke.org
