Ohio Poetry Association Blog

by Chuck Salmons Throughout Ohio, examples of literary citizenship shine and provide opportunities for writers of all ages to grow as artists while simultaneously supporting their communities. Since 2002, retired teacher Alan Cohen has organized the Hocking Hills Festival of Poetry, in Hocking County, an annual event that welcomes the public to hear and learn from some of the nation’s top poets through readings and workshops. I first met Alan more than a decade ago, at one of the annual festivals, and since then have come to appreciate his ability demonstrate the “power of poetry” (the namesake of the festival’s website) to move people in ways they never thought possible. He and his wife, Evie Adelman, work together to organize the Hocking festival, including hosting the featured poets, getting musicians on board, and finding venues. Just when I thought they couldn’t do much better, Alan formulated a plan for engaging more of Ohio’s high school students. How did he come up with...