The Poetry Mission, a non-profit organization, was established in the spring of 1990 by a group of Rhode Island writers: Dawne Anderson, Henry Gould, Dennis Holt, Richard Wilmarth, and Maxim Sukhanov. The purpose of the organization was to foster awareness of existing world poetic traditions and develop new opportunities for all writers through events, readings, and publications. They also hoped to establish a community-based literary arts center accessible to the public which would be a work and performance space for poets and writers and a resource for the community.
In the Fall of 1990 the Poetry Mission took over responsibility for the publication of the Northeast Journal which had been in publication since 1978. Editorial disputes during the fall of 1992 and beginning of 1993 led to the resignation of several of the original members of the Poetry Mission. The title of the journal was subsequently changed to Nedge and continued under that title until Issue #9, Fall 2001. It was edited by Henry Gould and Janet Sullivan.
In addition to numerous public events to promote poetry and the publication of Nedge, the Poetry Mission also published an anthology in honor of Rhode Island poet Edwin Honig. The anthology was called A Glass of Green Tea – With Honig and was published in 1994 in time for Honig’s 75th birthday.
The Poetry Mission ceased activities in 2002.
From the guide to the Poetry Mission papers, Poetry Mission records, 1982-2004, (John Hay Library Special Collections)
