Kay Kestner

Category: Events

  • A Poem, My Mother’s Flowers, and the No Kings Connection

    A Poem, My Mother’s Flowers, and the No Kings Connection

    I know it’s been a while. But I thought today was the best day to share a little something personal – of my grief of losing my mother and how her flowers gave me the courage to go to the first, second, and now third No Kings Day.

    I had never been to a rally/protest before. And quite scared of going. But what I found at No Kings was a gathering of kindness and a compassionate community. And a ton of cars honking in support. All while I held in my hands a bouquet of my mother’s flowers.

    We’ll get to the poem in a second. But first, if you’re unsure of going, check out the map. Suburban and rural areas usually have roadside rallies where you can drive by and honk in support.

    And once you see the smiling faces with their hands waving at you, well, maybe you’ll have the courage to find a parking spot and join us for a little while.

    Just look at the map at www.NoKings.org, find a rally, and commit (if you have a car) to simply drive by and honk in support.

    For those of you already going, I’ll be out there today too, with you, and as you’ll read in the poem, out there with my dead mother holding my hand.

    These Flowers Are Not For My Mother’s Grave
    by Kay Ann Kestner

    I bring flowers –
    red, white, and blue –
    not to her grave
    but to the roadside
    where the voices
    of better angels
    breathe life
    back into the lungs
    of democracy.

    This rally is life-support
    to counter a cruel tyrant
    as he tries to strangle
    freedom from our country.

    At every No King’s Day
    I bring my dead mother’s flowers –
    red, white, and blue –
    that for years she used to
    adorn the windowsill
    each Memorial, Independence,
    and Flag Day.

    At each rally, I carry
    my mother’s flowers
    and silently promise her
    that I will not sit back
    and let our democracy
    slip away.

    Standing peacefully side by side
    in a mile-long line of courage
    along a busy road,
    cars honking in support.

    In one hand, I hold a sign,
    with the other, I grip tight
    to the stems of my
    mother’s flowers
    and it feels like
    she’s holding my hand.

  • A Collaboration Under the Rainbow

    A Collaboration Under the Rainbow

    In collaboration with the Ministry of Artistic Intent and the Water Witch Poetry & Reading Series, Poetry Breakfast held an editor’s roundtable reading at the Water Witch Coffee House this past Thursday.

    Greeting us as we gathered was a lovely rainbow over the Water Witch Coffee House.

    The evening began with a workshop on submitting poetry for publication in literary journals, led by Poetry Breakfast’s founder and editor, Kay Kestner. Who was also the evening’s featured reader.

    After the open mic portion of the night, Kay gave a little guidance on Poetry Breakfast’s esthetic and then let the group have a go at being guest editors for the night.

    Poetry Breakfast would like the thank the wonderful artists, musicians and poets that helped review poetry submissions and bring a few new flavors to our menu.

    Guest Editors:

    Sean Navat Balanon – Sean is an artist from Old Bridge, NJ.  He has a BA in Music Technology from Stevens Institute of Technology.  Sean illustrates and makes video art.

    Jon Davies – Jon is a musician, writer, and vagrant who has traveled throughout the United States.

    John Flood – John is a local photographer, poet and musician focused on documenting and exposing the vibrant Monmouth County arts scene.  

    Charles Ignar –  Charles is a local emerging poet.  He is a mainstay at the Water Witch Poetry Workshop & Reading where he shares his work and enjoys hearing the diverse work of other poets.

    Chelsea Palermo – Chelsea is the founder of the Ministry of Artistic Intent. She is the hostess and organizer of the Water Witch Poetry & Reading Series.  In 2013 she was nominated for Poet Laureate of Asbury Park.  She graduated with her MFA in Poetry from Drew University.

    Patricia Rinaldi – Patricia is a poet and regular attendee of the Water Witch Poetry Workshop & Reading Series.  She consistently brings encouragement to all the poets at the Water Witch.

    Our Mystery Guest Editor – Though he chose to remain anonymous – anonymous is certainly not the word to describe this vibrant poet, writer, and musician.  He has actively participated in and fiercely promoted the local poetry and music scene for many years and he continues to draw attention to new and emerging artists in Monmouth County.