The North Carolina Writers Network refers to North Carolina as “the writingest state.” That is such a cool tagline.
The state has a long history of great writers, from Thomas Wolfe to Ron Rash, O. Henry to Joseph Mitchell, James Boyd to Lee Smith … and on and on.
I taught a class at N.C. Wesleyan College last semester, Studies in a Genre: North Carolina Writers. We covered a writer from the state every class — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — for 15 weeks. At the end, I was embarrassed at how many wonderful writers I was force to omit.
A few years ago, Our State magazine published a nice little piece entitled “10 Poems Every North Carolinian Should Read.” They even included the link to the works, collected on one page for the enjoyment and ease of the reader. I’ve included that link below.
Like any list, it’s just a list of some fine poems from a mix of writers. They are wonderful selections. My favorites on the list have to be “I Went Back” by A.R. Ammons, “The Men Who Raised the Dead” by Ron Rash, “Barbecue Service” by James Applewhite, and “Mountain Time” by Kathryn Stripling Byer.
Take a look, they’re mostly short, but are enjoyable and like a nice warm breeze on a cold, sunny day. Let me know in the comments what you liked.