In a cozy corner of Tacoma, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sound of laughter, a group of poets has found their voice. Burl Battersby, the executive editor of "Voices of A Gathering of Poets," shared his journey of reviving Tacoma's poetic spirit during a recent gathering.

The initiative began in 2022, sparked by a conversation about the absence of a local poetry anthology since 2009. Recognizing the need for a platform to celebrate Tacoma's poets, Battersby and his team sought funding from the Tacoma Artists Initiative program. Their efforts bore fruit in March 2023, leading to monthly gatherings in partnership with the Tacoma Public Library. These events have transformed into vibrant community hubs, allowing poets to share their work and connect with one another.

Battersby, who also serves as a community information specialist at the Swayze branch of the library, recounted his personal journey with poetry. Initially writing for himself, he decided to confront his social anxiety by sharing his work at the gatherings. "I was shaking," he admitted, recalling his first reading. Yet, the warm reception and encouragement from fellow poets provided him with a sense of validation that he had not anticipated.

The anthology, titled "The Voices of Tacoma," is a testament to the collective creativity and resilience of the local poetry community. As Battersby and his peers continue to gather, they not only celebrate their individual voices but also weave a rich tapestry of Tacoma's cultural landscape. This revival of poetic expression not only honors the past but also paves the way for future generations of poets in the city.