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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Dennis Daly

Use of the third person plural in poetry not only draws the writer away from the overly fashionable confessional style of versifying but adds a sense of universality and transcendence to the wordcraft. The ability to connect the emotions and thoughts of a multitude suggests either deep arrogance (in bad poetry) or collective insight and consciousness (in good poetry). There are obvious pitfalls. For instance, “we” could simply be used as a metaphor for “I.” Or the writer may project his revelations onto others without any real sapience. Eric Greinke’s masterfully edited anthology entitled Speaking For Everyone avoids the pitfalls of this genre and, in his inspired choices of good poetry, bonds together the fears and hopes and commonalities inherent in the nature of mankind.

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Carolynn Kingyens was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. She’s the author of two poetry books, Before the Big Bang Makes a Sound (2020) and Coupling (2021), both published by Kelsay Books. In addition to poetry, Carolynn writes essays, reviews, and short fiction. Two of her short stories were selected for Best of Fiction 2021 and 2023 by Across the Margin, a Brooklyn arts and culture webzine. Her essay There’s A Tiffany In Every Dysfunctional Family, about Somerville’s own Tiffany Sedaris, the youngest sister of David and Amy Sedaris, can be read on her Medium page along with more essays ranging from true crime to The Royal Family.  This poem was first published in Red Eft Review.

Sink your teeth into award-winning pizza at June Bug.~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Cathleen Twardzik

Somerville restaurant June Bug is one winner of an eating spot.

In fact, they were just crowned “The Best of Somerville: Winner of Best Pizza.”

In recognition of Black History Month, Somerville community members are invited to join the City’s Department of Racial & Social Justice and the Somerville Museum for a panel discussion on the Black diaspora, how Black history has influenced the arts and culture, and the imperative of preserving Black history in our community. The panel will consist of community organizers, activists, and City library staff.

City buildings will be closed Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services’ nutrition team will once again lead a series of workshops and events in March in recognition of National Nutrition Month!

Nutrition team staff members will host two Food Safety Bingo events at the Somerville and Cambridge Senior Centers to educate the community about important food safety protocols in a fun, interactive way. Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes during these “lunch & learn” events.

Assault
25006942: On 2/7/25 at approximately 12:58 a.m., Somerville Police responded to Assembly Row for a fight. Upon arrival, officers observed an unconscious male on the ground suffering from multiple injuries. Officers spoke with several witnesses who stated the victim was involved in a fight with two males and one female. During the fight, the suspects repeatedly punched and kicked the victim then fled the area.

Midnight is a 4-year-old female black cat that Black Cat Rescue has been fostering after a dog bite. She is looking forward to being adopted soon! ~ Photos courtesy of Jennifer Stott

By Harry Kane

A new law signed by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey makes it illegal to declaw felines. That’s good news for cats and for foster operations like Black Cat Rescue, which is a Somerville based all-volunteer network dedicated to saving the lives of homeless black cats and cats with special needs.

The cat act (S.2552) prohibits inhumane feline declawing except in rare situations of medical necessity. The act was signed into law January 9 and takes effect on April 8.