Poets tell stories. They create with language and transform words into song, imagery, metaphor, irony, and ultimately performance.
An afternoon of poetry reading can be a relaxing, fun, and enlightening experience for both poet performers and audiences.
In the past three years, informal poetry readings have become somewhat common forms of entertainment throughout South Dakota, thanks in large part to the South Dakota State Poetry Society (SDSPS).
Belle Fourche is home to a group of published and unpublished poets who appreciate the opportunity to share their work as often as possible.
On December 18, several Belle Fourche poets gathered at The Belle Fourche Silver Linings Se- nior Center for a December “Poetry on the Road’ public reading. They included Kathy Bjornstadt, Jean Helmer, Margie Bolte, Lynnea Luebben, Bruce Roseland, South Dakota State Poet Laureate, and Joan Gerkin.
In 2022 The SDSPS initiated the “Poetry on the Road” project. The idea was to brings poets, and audiences together.
Several times a year Poetry on the Road presentations are scheduled in various communities throughout the state.
THE SDSPS mission is to “foster the creation and appreciation of poetry that appeals to the senses, challenges the imagination, and stimulates creative and intellectual thought.”
The venues are often informal with open mics where any one can share original poems.
Anyone interested in hosting a Poetry on the Road email [email protected]
South Dakota’s State Poet Laureate, Bruce Roseland, along with other SDSPS member poets and special guests, will be visiting towns across South Dakota throughout 2025-2026.
Another South Dakota State Poetry Society project is the SDSPS literary magazine Pasque Petals published twice a year, in spring and fall.
The closing date for the 2026 spring issue is February 1, 2026. SDSPS members may submit for free, a minimal $3 fee applies to non-members. To submit poems https://sdsps.submittable.com/submit
All guidelines are listed on Submittable. Entries that do not follow those guidelines will be disqualified.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
