An Atlanta Poets Group Anthology

Submitted by Andrea DelValle                        

Zac Denton, a CSA at the Cumming Library, recently donated a book of poems called The Lattice Inside. Zac was a member of the Atlanta Poets Group for about 18 years, and this book (published in 2012) is a collection of poems, plays, and essays.  I recently had the opportunity to ask Zac a few questions about this group and his other writing endeavors:

Q. How long have you been in this poetry group?

A. When this book was published, I had been with the group for twelve years. We continued on for another six years, but we have lost our cohesion in the past few years, as the life circumstances of the members have changed.  It can be difficult to stay in touch with some of the same people for fifteen + consecutive years!

Q. Does your group have any other books published or do they plan to publish any more books?

A. Yes, the group has been featured in a number of other books, journals, and magazines - both in paper form and online. Many of those are listed in this anthology. Several members were also active in publishing the works of others around the country, in DIY fashion. Although individuals remain active with their own writing and projects, we will likely not publish anything else as a group in the foreseeable future.  

Our last public appearance was in 2019, when we had one of our recordings featured in the show "The Liberated Voice - Sound Poetry." This was an international exhibit that existed physically at a gallery in Paris, and it also exists online through an app. It was an honor to be included in that show.    

Q. How long have you been writing poetry?

A. I started writing during my first year of college, so, quite a while ago. 

Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?

A. FCPL employees may be interested to know that at least two of the other poets in this book are librarians of many years.   

I have also been active with a quite different writing group for over a decade - Free Poems on Demand. We go to festivals and events around Atlanta and write poems for strangers, on the spot, on any topic of their choosing. It is so much fun, though it can get overwhelming at times. 

I think writing is a meaningful way to connect with others.