Poems by Sherri Felt Dratfield
West Village resident Sherri Dratfield published her first book of poetry in June. Her second book, Water Vigils, is scheduled for publication next March, also by Finishing Line Press (now taking prepublication orders). Sherri is multi-talented; she is formerly an actor and theatrical producer and currently a practicing lawyer as well as poet.
Asked about her poetic background and influences, Dratfield spoke of her love of reading and writing poetry in childhood. She recalled winning a poetry prize in 6th grade. In college she wrote a 40-page paper on John Donne’s poemThe Good Morrow. She cites the influence of Elizabeth Bishop, Tina Howe, and Grace Shulman, who has also been a mentor.
Asked how she succeeded in getting published and what advice she has for aspiring poets, she emphasized poetry contests. The journal Poets and Writerslists publications that hold contests and describes the criteria for each one. She says her background in theater taught her the importance of persistence. When she receives no response to a submission, she resubmits her poem, knowing that there are several readers. Her poem Time Pieces Repaired (included in this collection) won a Margaret Reid Prize for traditional verse. The setting is the little clock repair shop on Greenwich Avenue. This and other settings will be familiar to Villagers.
Available from http://finishinglinepress.com .
