For the Reporter

Poetry at the Rainbow Café presents the works of Donald Kentop and Terry Persun on Monday, Nov. 2.

The program is from 7-9 p.m. at the café, 112 E. Main St., the poets’ new home for November and December.

Coffee, pancakes and conversation follow readings. It is an open mic opportunity. The public is invited.

About the poets

Donald Kentop

Born and raised in New York City, Kentop graduated from New York University and has a master’s degree in teaching history from Columbia University. A Seattle resident, he is active in the local poetry community. He curates the popular “Poetry in Fremont” reading series and has served on the board of the Washington Poets Association.

He has performed at the Frye Art Museum, Jack Straw Foundation, Elliott Bay Book Company, Bumbershoot Arts Festival, and Burning Word Festival. Kentop’s poems have appeared in Chrysanthemum; Drash; The Jack Straw Anthology; Mute Note Earthward; Tattoos on Cedar;Limbs of the Pine, Peaks of the Range; and Many Trails to the Summit. On Paper Wings he has recently published, “Frozen In Fire: A Documentary in Verse of the Triangle Factory Fire of 1911”.

Terry Persun

A full-time writer, Persun has published two poetry collections, six poetry chapbooks and six novels through small, independent presses. His latest novel, “Cathedral of Dreamsis”, is a finalist for the ForeWord magazine Book of the Year Award, and his literary novel, “Sweet Song”, won a Silver IPPY Award.

Persun’s poems and short stories have been published in numerous independent and university journals, including Wisconsin Review, Yarrow, Riverrun, NEBO, Oyez Review, Hiram Poetry Review, Owen Wister Review, Kansas Quarterly, Rag Mag, Poet Lore, Whiskey Island, Colorado-North Review, Widener Review,Context South and many others.

Appreciation

Special thanks to the Station Bistro for all of these years of supporting poetry in Auburn. More thanks to the Rainbow Cafe; Striped Water Poets; the NorthWest Renaissance; the Auburn Arts Commission; City of Auburn; King County 4culture; and all open mic participants.