Poetry and The Healing Community: The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas
By M. Palowski Moore
(Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this article may not reflect the ideals or political opinions of Midnight Garden Publishing House. As a company we are inclusive, non-religious and non-political. One of the Ideals that Midnight Garden Publishing House does advocate for is freedom of speech. Midnight Garden Publishing House is an American Company who upholds, supports, and stands for our American Constitutional rights and its people.)
“Poetry is not only dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.” Audre Lorde
The world is on fire. Flames of erasure and eradication are stoked by political propagandas, othering and rages of war. People are in pain. This burning comes in many forms: xenophobia, misogyny, racism and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, are just a few examples. The blaze looms large, especially for those who already feel small because of marginalization. How does one extinguish a sweeping global assault? How does one heal wounds inflamed? We fight the fire with waves of compassion, community and creative expression. We douse division and destruction with the powerful winds of voices united. We heal by coming together, creating safe spaces and advocating for our disenfranchised brothers and sisters. Our healing balm is the scope of our words. Writing, reading and sharing poetry are important ways to inspire others and advocate while preserving important narratives and perspectives. Inclusivity is key. Everyone has an important voice, a story that deserves to be written, shared and embraced. This sentiment is best expressed in this excerpt from Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem Paul Robeson, “We are each other’s harvest: we are each other’s business: we are each other’s magnitude and bond.”
The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas (SPSK) aspires to be a wave of healing waters. Created in August of 2022, The SPSK began with a humble vision to establish a diverse and all-inclusive group dedicated to the promotion of poetry, sharing of poetry, mutual mentorship, encouragement, creative freedom and poetic expression in a supportive environment. The Sunflower Poetry Society strives to be a remedy for weary a world of woe and worry. We embrace poets and poetry aficionados of all skill levels in both written and performance forms. All are welcome, underrepresented groups are welcomed and encouraged to participate. SPSK fosters and promotes community through poetry and poetry education. In November 2022, The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas was unanimously voted in as a the 33rd state chapter in The National Federation of State Poetry Societies by the Elective Board of the NFSPS https://nfsps.net/ .
In the past few years, community outreach through poetry has become an important goal for SPSK. Members of The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas continue to strengthen our commitment and dedication to providing encouraging opportunities for evolving voices in poetry. Our history of fellowship is a cornerstone of poetry, promotion and pride. During difficult days, it is important to preserve places for creative expression where one can exorcise the demons of a troubled world in a constructive way that informs, inspires and ignites both advocacy and activism. The strength of our poetry group comes from creating a community where all voices are valued and all participate in shaping a shared vision. The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas is a safe space to explore and express poetry in a nurturing and supportive environment.
It is true. Most of us are struggling to navigate through the turmoil of our complex world. Poets help us understand and quantify the costs of losing, feeling and dreaming. Poets provide words of awareness, acknowledgement and acceptance. Poets present language and ideas that can spark and shape crucial conversations about humanity and being human. Poetry is cathartic. It helps us process difficult emotions and experiences. Poetry is mindfulness. It necessitates observation of our world, both internal and external landscapes. Through poetry, we begin to truly see one another. Poetry celebrates nature, nourishes spiritual growth, and facilitates self-discovery. There is personal and community healing in poetry.
The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas has actively engaged with surrounding communities since our first meeting on 14th August 2022. In past years, members of SPSK shared poems and discussed poetry during the Celebration of William Stafford: Living A Poetic Life sponsored by the Kansas Authors Club at the Watkins Museum of History. This event has been hosted by founding members of SPSK Ronda Miller and M. Palowski Moore. In an effort to foster youth involvement, The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas read and shared poems about the Black experience during a Black History event at Bishop Ward High School. During the Tangled Roots Art Exhibition (2022) and Art Heals Exhibition (2023) at InterUrban Arthouse in Overland Park, Kansas, M Palowski Moore utilized his platform as a featured artist to promote and share perspectives about the connection of poetry and art. To celebrate Earth Day 2023 for National Poetry Month, founding member Ronda Miller hosted a poetry reading featuring poets from Kansas as well as past poet laureates. Several members of SPSK participated in this event to strengthen community relations and promote poetry awareness. These are just a few early examples of how we embrace our mission to make poetry accessible.
The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas continues to improve community outreach, foster poetry education and provide opportunities for poetic growth. Through monthly workshops and mentorships, our members have been active participants in community events across the state of Kansas. Vice-President Ana Wilkins served on the Aaron Douglas Art Committee for the 20th annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair in Topeka, Kansas on 27 September 2025. This community event showcased diverse and emerging artists. President M. Palowski Moore was a featured artist at the Johnson County Library/IUAH Story Harvest Artists Showcase and the KC Rainbow tour “Queer Writers Read Out!” celebration of LGBTQ History Month/National Coming Out Day.
SPSK served as the fiduciary for Sunflowers Rising: Poems for Peace Anthology by the group Poets For Peace and published by Buster Bodhi Press. Many members of SPSK contributed poems to this worthy and important anthology. SPSK member M. Palowski Moore served as the committee chair for the project. All proceeds/royalties from the creation and sales of this book have benefited orphans of war in Ukraine. From 23-26 July, The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas is a cosponsor for the 65th National Federation Of State Poetry Societies Inc's Annual Convention and BlackBerry Peach SLAM (a qualifier for the world SLAM competition). The convention will take place in Overland Park, Kansas. These are just a few highlights from SPSK’s years of service. From senryu to slam, experimental to traditional and all forms of creative expression through words, The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas will continue to provide a platform for the poetic voice.
How do we show one another who we are? Or begin to see a neighbor in our reflection? How do we fight the persistence of prejudice, othering and discrimination? Or the erasure of cultural history and memory? We nurture and create community. Poetry is a vital tool for navigating this journey to togetherness. Poetry provides the courage to see ourselves in others. It shows us how to be brave. Poetry documents disappearance and captures the vanishing past. Poetry is the power of hope. It is insight, instinct and information in a world of noise and distraction. Poetry is opportunity. When overwhelmed, poetry paves a path forward. It is resourceful, restorative, and regenerative. Is there a balm for the fire in our wounds? The answer is yes and it is the poetry within us all. The healing salve is the collective words of witnesses, the united voices of supporters, and a growing community that refuses to accept the biased narratives of broken people. Rita Dove astutely captures this essence with the following quote, “Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful”.
M. Palowski Moore
Founder/ President
The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas
Member State of The National Federation of State Poetry Societies
The Sunflower Poetry Society of Kansas
https://www.sunflowerpoetrysociety.com/
