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LOCAL POETS
Recently, the Green Heron Bookshop on Burleson Street became a haven for poetry lovers as it hosted its first Poetry on the Porch event. Organized in collaboration with Texas State University’s MFA program in Creative Writing, the gathering offered a space for students and locals to share their love of the written word.
The event encouraged attendees to bring a poem to read or simply listen and enjoy. The idea was spearheaded by Bi- anca Alyssa Powell-Pérez, associate director and program coordinator for Texas State’s MFA in Creative Writing, who expressed excitement about the evening’s turnout and its mission.
“This is the first time we’re doing this at the new location,” Powell- Pérez said, referencing the bookshop’s recent move from Bishop Street to its current spot. “It’s kind of perfect. They literally have a porch here, and it felt like the right time to revive this collaboration.”
Powell-Pérez, who organizes events like these to provide MFA students with opportunities to engage with the community, shared the dual purpose of the evening.
“We want our grad students to practice reading their original work aloud, and we also want more people in San Marcos to know about our program. It’s renowned among MFA programs, but we’re trying to build more local awareness,” she said.
Fourteen participants had signed up to read before the event, with Powell-Pérez estimating around 25 to 30 attendees in total. After the scheduled readings, the floor opened for an open mic session, allowing anyone inspired by the evening’s atmosphere to share their poetry.
The collaboration also spotlighted Porter House Review, Texas State’s online literary journal. Powell- Pérez emphasized the importance of encouraging submissions from the broader community, noting that the journal accepts work from writers outside the program.
The venue itself, Green Heron Bookshop, was lauded as a unique space by Powell-Pérez.
“This bookshop is one of a kind — an apothecary, bookshop and hub for the community. Wade Vetiver, the owner, is one of the sweetest people I know. Small-town bookshops like this are essential for bringing people together,” she said. The evening was a testament to the power of collaboration and the arts, bringing together students, community members, and lovers of literature for an evening of connection and creativity. Powell-Pérez hopes to continue hosting Poetry on the Porch events in the future, fostering a vibrant literary culture in San Marcos.
