JOINT BASEANDREWS, Md. –
A Teams Andrews audience was treated to a lunchtime oasis under the ambiance of a poetry reading featuring special guest Jehanne Dubrow, author and poet, at the Poetry and Pizza event Feb. 3 at the library.
Dubrow read from her latest collection of poems titled "Stateside" based on her experience as military spouse coping with her husband's deployment.
"It's always an honor to read my work to a military audience and to answer their questions about poetry." said Dubrow. "I have learned that there are many lovers of art and many aspiring artists within the military community. I hope that my experiences as a working writer inspire other military spouses to speak and write about what it's like to be 'married to the military.'"
The poetry event was the first of many literature programs to help promote the Joint Base Andrews First Annual Literary Journal, a compilation of poems, photographs and stories from military members, spouses and affiliates in the National Capital Region.
"Jehanne really captured what we hope this journal will be - an outlet for what people want to say," said Karla Henderson, 11th Force Support Squadron library aide.
The library is planning a number of other literature programs to include a writing workshop and a Literature and Arts festival. Events will be posted with dates and details on the library's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AndrewsBaseLibrary.
"Literature programs are essential to offer service members and their families because poetry and literature are great ways to cope with everyday stressors, not to mention all the added stressors that go along with being part of the military," said Henderson. "Whether a person wants to escape for a little while or use writing to express events they have been through, reading and writing can be very therapeutic."
Those interested in contributing to the Andrews Literary Journal may send submissions to andrewsbaselibrary@gmail.com by March 1. For more information, call (301)-981-6454.