Saheli Khastagir

Saheli Khastagir is currently working on her Masters in Psychology from Delhi University, India.

She says, “I am terrible at expressing myself and words slip through my fingers when I need them the most.  In my effort to express myself I discovered poetry and painting; when I run out of explanations, verses and colors come to my rescue, to give shape to my feelings.”  

Some of Saheli’s poems have appeared in “Mad Swirl”, ”Haggard” and “Halloo.” 

Read Saheli’s poem:   

• Making Love with Solitude 

Judging Poetry

I love poetry.  No surprise there, eh?  But how, really, do you judge poetry if you love it?  Does one judge what they love?   Well, of course, as with anything, to judge poetry you need a system that is built of criteria.  What are your criteria?  

My criteria for publication in this magazine are:  

• No errors 
• Vivid imagery that communicates feelings or emotions 
• Poetry that fits comfortably within its own form, or transcends its form  

I am not a judge for the Eye On Life poetry contest.  For that I choose a panel of poets, journalists and academics who volunteer to read and score the poems.  I am extremely grateful for them for helping out Eye On Life with this difficult work.  They are applying their own criteria fairly and impartially to what they love: poetry.  Amazing.  

Thank you, judges.   

Final Days to Enter the EOL Poetry Contest

Submissions accepted until midnight, Eastern Time, on January 31st, 2012.  Click the link on the right side of this page for full details.  

So far we have a good showing of eclectic works by a variety of poets.  Our judges have their work cut out for them.  But late comers still have an equal shot at the $100 first prize or $50 second prize.  So go ahead and show us what you’ve got.  We’d love to see it.  

Poetry in Canoga Park, California, Jan. 31st

Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 9pm 

TRESHA HAEFNER plus open reading

Cobalt Cafe
22047 Sherman Way 
Canoga Park, CA

Poetry in Cambridge, Massachusetts, January 25th

Doors open at 7:15

Wednesday, January 15th 

Feature for January 25, 2012: Megan Falley

The Cantab Lounge 

738 Massachusetts Avenue 

Cambridge, MA 

Poetry in Oakland, CA, Jan. 26th

Thursday January 26th 2012, 8pm - 11pm

The Oakland Poetry Slam & Open-Mic 

Featuring Providence RI’s Jared Paul!

The Oasis Restaurant & Bar
135 12th St
Oakland, CA  

Eight Days Remaining to Enter the EOL Poetry Contest

Once again we have a great selection of poems to submit to our judges in this, our third annual Eye On Life Poetry Contest.  If you would like your shot at the $100 first prize, you have until 11:59pm, Eastern Time (United States) to enter.  Click the link on the right side of this page for complete rules and instructions.  

Winners will be posted (and prizes given away) in February.  

Poetry in Canoga Park, California, Jan. 24th

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at 9:00 pm

ROLLAND VASIN plus Open Reading

Cobalt Cafe
22047 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA

Poetry in Berkeley, California, through Feb. 29th

THE STARRY PLOUGH
3101 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA  

510-841-2082

EVERY WEDNESDAY

$150 Cash Prizes.
Sign-up: 7:30 p.m. Show: 8:30 p.m.
ALL AGES before 10 p.m.
Hosts: Dre, Jamie DeWolf, Jelal, Sevan, Katelyn Lucas, & Betsy Gomez
$8 door (most nights)

• Jan. 25: Jared Paul
• Feb 1: Seth Walker, Solomon Schneider, and friends
• Feb 8: Erotic Slam with Jamie DeWolf
• February 15: Lacey Roop
• February 22: Bonafide Rojas and BYung
• February 29: Shane Hawley

Fifteen Days Left to Enter The EOL Poetry Contest

We are very happy with the turn out so far, as the flow of entries has picked up over the last week or so.  I would  not say it is an overwhelming number of entries, but certainly acceptable, and the quality is consistently good.  It will be an interesting contest.  Still, at this time the $100 First Prize and $50 Second Prize could go to any of the fine poets who have entered already, or they could go to poets yet to enter.  

Unless, of course, they miss the deadline.  

Contest deadline: Poems must be received before midnight, Eastern Time, on January 31st, 2012 

Click here for contest rules and full details.  

Poetry in Cambridge, Massachusetts, January 18th

Wednesday, January 18 

World Qualifier Semi-Finals 

Cantab Lounge 
738 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 

Doors for the show open at 7:15. The open mic begins at 8:00 and the slam begins at approximately 10:00.

Women of the World Poetry Slam, March 7-12, 2012 – Denver, CO

See the WOWPS web site for full info.  

From the web site:  

“Denver has one of the most thriving slam poetry scenes in the nation, and is home to many slam poetry champions, including the reigning National Poetry Slam Champions of 2011, the National Poetry Slam Champions of 2006, the Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion of 2008, as well as the Individual World Poetry Slam Champion of 2010.  This will be the first time that a national poetry competition will be hosted in the Mile High City.”

Poetry in Berkeley, California, Jan. 18th

830-11pm Wednesday, Jan. 18

WOWPS Finals at the Berkeley Slam, featuring LAURA YES YES!

The Berkeley Slam presents its first ever WOWPS Finals to pick our representative for the Women of the World Poetry Slam, which takes place March 7-10 in Denver, CO!

The Starry Plough
3101 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94703

Poetry in Canoga Park, California, Jan. 17th

Tuesday, Jan. 17th, 9pm 

The Poetry Idiots present RAUNDI KAI MOORE-KONDO plus Open Reading

The Cobalt Cafe
22047 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA 91303 

Poetry in NYC January 18

WEDNESDAY JAN 18 / 8PM 

Edmund Berrigan + Tom Savage

The Poetry Project 
at St. Mark’s Church
131 E. 10th Street 
New York, NY 10003

Poetry in Charlotte, NC, Jan. 14th

Respect Da Mic presents…Da Funk, Noise and Poetry featuring Jus John !

Saturday, January 14, 2012, 12 noon to 4pm 

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture 551 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 “It’s the first slam of 2012 and we are bringing da funk, da noise and da poetry!! Who will rep RDM in Charlotte at 2012 National Poetry Slam in August? It could be YOU, but you have to be in it to win it!!”

Poetry in Berkeley, California, Jan. 11th

The Berkeley Slam, featuring Taalam Acey!

Wednesday, Jan. 11th, 8:30pm to 11:30pm 

The Starry Plough

3101 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA

Poetry Around Chicago Through January 22nd

From The Poetry Foundation 

PRINTERS ROW LIVE

Luis Urrea

Wednesday, January 11, 6:30 PM
Tribune Tower
435 North Michigan Avenue
Tickets $15 

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UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

Sherry Poets in Residence: Rosemarie and Keith Waldrop

Thursday, January 12, 4:30 PM
Rosenwald 405
1101 East 58th Street
Free admission 

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THE DOLLHOUSE READING SERIES

Hannah Gamble, Travis Nichols, Jeffrey Allen, Anthony Madrid, and virtual guest Matthew Zapruder

Friday, January 13, 7:30 PM
1850 West Belle Plaine Avenue, #3
Free admission

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HIGHLAND PARK POETRY

Tania Runyan

Friday, January 13, 8 PM
1957 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, Illinois
Free admission 

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NORTHWEST CULTURAL COUNCIL

Poetry Workshop: Sarah Carson

Saturday, January 14, 9:00 AM
Palatine Public Library
700 N. North Court
Palatine, Illinois
$15 registration 

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BONK!

Tim Yu and Jamie Kazay

Saturday, January 14, 6:00 PM
Racine Arts Council
316 Sixth Street
Racine, Illinois
Free admission 

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UPTOWN POETRY SLAM

Weekly Slam Poetry

Sunday, January 15, 7:00 PM
Green Mill
4802 North Broadway Avenue
Cover $6 

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MENTAL GRAFFITI

Tim Stafford, Emily Rose, and Amy David host a weekly poetry slam

Monday, January 16, 8:00 PM
Butterfly Social Club
726 West Grand Avenue
Free admission 

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DANNY’S TAVERN READING SERIES

Joanna Klink and Catherine Theis

Wednesday, January 18, 7:30 PM
Danny’s Tavern
1951 West Dickens Street
Free admission 

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GUILD LITERARY COMPLEX

Palabra Pura 2012 Kickoff

Wednesday, January 18, 7:30 PM
La Bruquena
2726 West Division Street
Free admission 

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THE NEXT OBJECTIVISTS

Meeting

Thursday, January 19, 7:00 PM
Mess Hall
6932 North Glenwood Avenue
Free admission 

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THE 4TH ANNUAL WINTER BLOCK PARTY FOR CHICAGO’S HIP-HOP ARTS

Word: Across Generations

Saturday, January 21, 3:00 PM
Metro
3730 North Clark Street
Free admission 

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BEST NEW POETS 2011

Brittany Cavallaro, Natalie Giarratano, Virginia Konchan, Nancy Reddy, and David Welch

Saturday, January 21, 7:00 PM
The Book Cellar
4736 North Lincoln Avenue
Free admission 

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THIRD SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE

Featuring Randy Brooks

Saturday, January 21, 9:00 PM
Unity Temple
875 Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois
$3–$5 donation
Information: 708-660-9376

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UPTOWN POETRY SLAM

Weekly Slam Poetry

Sunday, January 22, 7:00 PM
Green Mill
4802 North Broadway Avenue
Cover $6 

Poetry in Cambridge, Massachusetts, January 11th

Wednesday, January 11th 

Poetry Workshop with Featured Poet, Scott Beal beginning at 6pm.  

• Open mic sign-up begins at 7:15, open mic begins at 8 
• 8 x 8 poetry slam at 10pm 
• Featured poet at 11pm 

The Cantab Lounge 
738 Massachusetts Avenue  
Cambridge, MA  

This venue is for ages 21+ 

Poetry in Oakland, CA, Jan. 12th

Thursday, January 12, 2012, 8pm 

Oakland Poetry Slam & Open-Mic w/ Emily Rose

The Oasis Restaurant & Bar

135 12th St.

Oakland, CA 94607