As the first poet laureate of the Town of Branford, Judith K. Liebmann has tried her best to expand the appreciation of poetry to as wide a variety as possible of the general public. At the core of these efforts have been a variety of workshops whose members vary widely in age, gender, lifestyle and point-of-view. They represent a true cross-section of Branford's “citizen poets” from high school students to artists, executives, professionals, teachers and retirees.

One of the most important aspects of the workshops is that the participants are encouraged to share their work with the public. At Poets Among Us events, guest poet readings, and at all other public venues, the opportunity to read poems aloud to a responsive audience can be an exciting and self-confirming experience. For some it can be life-altering.

The poems that are offered in this anthology represent a profound gift to you, the reader. Please enjoy them, and allow their beauty, honesty, forcefulness, and joy to work their magic on you.