John-Michael Albert (Mike) has been active in poetry for his entire life. He started writing and reciting poetry in southwestern Ohio in the 1950s, before he was 10. After returning to Houston TX from The University of the South in Sewanee TN where he majored in Music, he added the composition of song lyrics to his writing skills. In 1999 he moved to the New Hampshire seacoast and quickly became active in the thriving poetry community, serving on the Board of the Poetry Society of New Hampshire, and serving as host for monthly poetry readings, including The Portsmouth (NH) Poet Laureate Program: Hoot, and Beat Night (also in Portsmouth), being an invited reader at poetry events throughout the regions and signing up for many open mics in support of the other poets. He edited the two-volume anthology, The Poets’ Guide to New Hampshire (2008 and 2010), 400 poems by 300 poets from 1800 to the present on the geography, plants and animals, and “characters” in the State. He also served as the 8th Poet Laureate of Portsmouth (NH) from 2011-2013. He has published 23 poetry books and chapbooks.
Purchase A Gallery of Strong Women on Amazon
A 100 pg collection of poems written over the last 25 years describing outstanding women I’ve encountered in my life. The styles of the poems are as widely varied as the women. These include friends, members of the poetry community, and people I’ve simply observed over the years. Like any other art exhibition it’s not comprehensive, but I hope it’s an entertaining sampling of women I’ve admired and emulated.