Newly inducted Vermont Poet Laureate Chard deNiord will be speaking at the First Universalist Parish of Derby Line, 112 Main Street, Derby Line, Vermont. November 15th at 10:00 a. m. with reception in the church hall to follow. All denominations and faiths are welcome.

My object in living is to unite, My avocation with my vocation , As my two eyes make one in sight. Only where love and need are one And the work is play for mortal stakes, Is the deed ever really done, For Heaven and the future's sakes.
With these lines of Frost in mind, I will talk about how reading and writing poetry evolved from a passionate distraction during my high school years into both an avocational and vocational obsession that presented not only seemingly impossible practical challenges, such as how to support myself and my family by writing poetry, but also an untenable work schedule given the huge blocks of time writing required, especially early on when I hadn’t yet found my style or voice. In addition to reminiscing about my faith in my muse, who had only “my getting lost at heart,” and still does, I will recount a few essential detours early on in my career—three years as a divinity school student and five years as a psychotherapist—that led ultimately to the realization of my artistic goals, as well as my good fortune of living in Vermont
by: Chard deNiord