Happy Bookiversary, Like Buddha-Calm Bird!

Prolific Meadowlark (and other small presses) poet Kevin Rabas released this humble, deeply reflective, simply observant during his time as
Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019). 

To help celebrate, two poems--one from the book,
and one that inspired the title. 

Thank you! Event recording of More Than Words book launch

What a FUN time we had at the More Than Words virtual book launch! 

It was wonderful to see so many friends and to make some new ones. Kevin knocked our socks off, and you can experience it all over again (or for the first time), right here:

The video is available on the Meadowlark YouTube Page. Feel free to share!

If you're still looking to order a copy of More Than words, you're in luck! They're available at the Meadowlark Bookstore, as well as your own favorite bookstores. Check out Kevin's other Meadowlark books while you're in there. 

Thanks again, and we'll see your beautiful faces next time! 

See you tomorrow for the More Than Words book launch event!

KEVIN RABAS is the man of the hour!

7 PM TOMORROW is the time! 

ZOOM is the place! 

YOU are the reason we get to do these things!

Register for the More Than Words book launch event at tinyurl.com/MTWbooklaunch in order to receive the Zoom link. 

See you soon!

Wednesday excerpt: More Than Words by Kevin Rabas

THIS SATURDAY at 7 p.m., Kevin Rabas, Meadowlark Press, and you folks will be joining each other for the More Than Words virtual book launch celebration (make sure to register)! 

Here are four poems extracted from each of the sections of the book, as well as an additional bonus poem from the bonus chapbook you'll receive when you order your copy of More Than Words. 

OUR NATURE

[no one notices]

I.

No one notices

  the sky

enough

  when they run.

 

II.

But I’ve seen

  tomorrow

coming, going,

a white line.

 

III.

Where will

  we go

when we can

  no longer

run, when I

  no longer

have you

   to follow?

(Re: Allison Schulnik's painting "Skipping Skeletons")

ONE WEEK: More Than Words Book Launch Event

Start the countdown! Next Saturday, March 27, at 7 p.m., Kevin Rabas and Meadowlark Press will be celebrating the More Than Words book launch event!

This event will be more than words (stealing the pun from Tyler Sheldon's praise on the first page of the book), sharing videos that Kevin Rabas and Dave Leiker have created together, and perhaps some more creative surprises (wink)!

Make sure to register for the event at tinyurl.com/MTWbooklaunch. You will receive the Zoom link after registering. While you're already on the internet, check out the Meadowlark Bookstore, where you can order More Than Words and other Meadowlark Books. When you order More Than Words, you will also receive a Meadowlark-made chapbook of 16 more Kevin Rabas poems.

Read more about More Than Words on our previous blog post. 

Wonderful! We'll see you soon!

Kansas Names Kevin Rabas 2017-2019 Poet Laureate

The Kansas Humanities Council has named Kevin Rabas, chair of Emporia State’s Department of English, Modern Languages and Journalism, the Poet Laureate of KansasTM, 2017-2019.

To be named state poet laureate is one of Kansas’s highest literary honors. The poet laureate engages in a range of activities to foster literary citizenship and engagement in the state. The duties include giving talks and readings across Kansas to promote poetry and the arts and humanities. Rabas’ new role begins today and there will be a local ceremony in Emporia in early June.

“We are so fortunate to live in a state of talented poets and writers,” said Julie Mulvihill, executive director of the Kansas Humanities Council. “Kevin brings a deep understanding of poetry and a joyfulness in sharing it with others. I know Kevin is eager to get out on the road, and Kansans will welcome him around the state.”

Rabas is an active poet, playwright, jazz musician, and professor of English. He is author of seven books of poetry, including “Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano¸” which was named a Kansas Notable Book in 2010. He is also author of two books of prose and several short plays. His writing has earned numerous awards and recognitions, including the Nelson Poetry Book Award, the Kansas Notable Book Award, the Langston Hughes Poetry Award, the Victor Contoski Poetry Award and the Jerome Johanning Playwriting Award. 

At ESU, Rabas’ accomplishments have been recognized with the President’s Award for Research and Creativity (2012), and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Award for Excellence in Scholarship (2010).

Rabas is a professor of English who has taught poetry, playwriting, literary publishing and contemporary literature at ESU since 2005. He has served as co-director of the ESU Creative Writing program since 2006. On campus, he has served in such roles as president of the faculty and assistant director of the University Honors Program.

An active presenter in the state and region, his new presentation schedule as poet laureate, will include a series called “Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary.” In approximately one talk per month for the Kansas Humanities Council, he will present at a range of venues. Through poetry, Rabas will explore the beauty and value in everything around us.

“Poetry reminds us that every little bit of our lives is meaningful,” Rabas said. “Part of the poet’s job is to remind us to observe and cherish the world and our lives in it.”

Support for the Poet Laureate of Kansas™ has been provided by the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust, Overland Park, and KHC’s Friends of the Humanities.

To learn more about the Poet Laureate of KansasTM program or to request a presentation with Rabas, go to http://kansashumanities.org/programs/poet-laureate-of-kansas/ or contact Leslie Von Holten, KHC director of programs, at leslie@kansashumanities.org or 785-357-0359.

About the Kansas Humanities Council

The Kansas Humanities Council is a nonprofit organization that supports community-based cultural programs and encourages Kansans to engage in the civic and cultural life of their communities.

If you're curious about what Kevin's been up to in his poetry, try his most recent book, SONGS FOR MY FATHER (Meadowlark Press, 2016):https://squareup.com/market/meadowlark-books/item/songs-for-my-father

Order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Songs-My-Father-collection-stories/dp/099668011X/