Don't miss hearing DUANE RYGH presentations

Well, it's that time to celebrate the publication of UTSPS poet  of the year Duane Rygh's winning collection of poetry, MY BRIGHT RED SCREAM. He will be reading his book at the Orem Public Library on Sat-Oct 8 at 2 pm. Come and enjoy Duane's first published book of poetry. If you live in Southern Utah, there are two events planned on Mon-Oct 10th at 11 am at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins or Tues, Oct 11th at 1:30 pm at the St. George Public Library. All events are free and paid members of UTSPS can pick up a complimentary copy of this new book.

In 2015, after a 20-year career, Duane retired from United States Air Force active duty.  Duane credits his experiences in the military for broadening his world view.  Visits to Saudi Arabia, Korea, China, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and most recently Afghanistan helped to provide depth to his poetry.

Meet NIKKI ANNE SCHMUTZ-newest member of UTSPS

Welcome to Nikki Anne Schmutz who is very active in the online poetry scene and wanted to check out what was happening in her local community and Utah state poetry circles. Nikki s the author of Open Soul Window, In Speaking of… A Poetic Journey from Dark to Light, and Found, a novel. She is a poet, novelist, produced screenwriter, freelance poetry editor, admin of FACEBOOK poetry groups, TBI survivor, and advocate against sexual violence. She has served as magazine editor-in-chief, literary web site poetry editor, recited poetry for the Eat Sleep Write podcast, and reads poetry for her YouTube Channel, Perfectly Written Pictures. She lives in Layton, Utah where she serves as the Utah Representative for the World Union of Poets based in Italy. She will be attending the Rhyme and Reason Chapter in Bountiful.

Butterfly Stroke
By Nikki Anne Schmutz

Life lived upon me,
resembling an ocean.
I cast my boat
haphazardly
on its white-tipped
frenzy, navigated
storms without maps -
clouds obscuring
the heavens.
I held on with
white-gripped knuckles
as my vessel
came apart in the surge.
I sank into the depth,
it claimed me as its own
until I realized…
I could swim.