Shirley Brewer wrote poetry in her youth, and then rekindled her interest decades later. She has since published three books of poetry, and is working on two more. Photo courtesy of Shirley Brewer

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It’s never too late to become a published poet (or a writer of any genre, for that matter).

Just look at Shirley Brewer. The 70-year-old Charles Village resident wrote poetry while she was in high school and college, but then put her writing aside as she worked as a speech therapist for 32 years.

“I used poetry with my clients to help them with their pronunciation,” Brewer said. But it wasn’t until she took a creative writing course at the age of 49 that her own poetic leanings were rejuvenated.

“I was hooked,” she said. “I was using my imagination again.”

Brewer then took a poetry class and several workshops. And when she retired in 2001, she went back to school to pursue a graduate degree in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts at the University of Baltimore.

Since graduating (which is not a pre-requisite for becoming a published writer, Brewer hastens to say), she has had three books of poetry published: A Little Breast Music, After Words, and Bistro in Another Realm.

She is now working on two new manuscripts, saying proudly, “I’m not slowing down!”

A press for poets 50+

Brewer’s first book, A Little Breast Music, was published by the journal Passager, which is headquartered here in Baltimore. Founded in 1990, the idea behind Passager, according to co-editor (with Mary Azrael) Kendra Kopelke, was to bring attention to writers over 50 by giving them opportunities to publish with a nationally recognized press.

“At that time, it was unusual to find men and women writing in their 80s and 90s. But now, more and more authors join those ranks every day,” said Kopelke, noting that in each issue, approximately 18 writers in a mix of genres are published.

“We look for originality and imagination, either something said in a new way or something new being said,” Kopelke said.

Passager Books was founded in 2005, and has published anthologies, poetry collections, short fiction and memoirs by authors whose work has appeared in the Passager journal. The writers range from first-timers to well-known authors.

In a video on Passager’s website (www.passagerbooks.com), Kopelke talks about one writer who calls her writing a “fairy tale,” Kopelke related, “because at 92 her dream is coming true.”

That writer, Joyce Abell, said that older writers write because “we want our children and our grandchildren to remember us. And to know this remarkable era we were part of.”

Celebrating a long life

Another of Passager’s published authors is Henry Morgenthau III, whose father, Henry Morgenthau, Jr., was the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Morgenthau’s first book was published by Passager Books when he was 99. He’s now 101, and giving readings of his work. He doesn’t want to be known as “Henry, the third,” but simply as Henry, a poet who brings audience members to their feet.

“Writing poetry is a celebration of the evening of a long life, a coda, a striking new expression of my inner being,” said Morgenthau. “Why I waited so long, I don’t know.”

Brewer works on her writing every day — whether she’s reading, daydreaming, tutoring aspiring writers from youngsters to retirement community residents, or actually writing herself.

Brewer believes that older writers bring a lifetime of experience to their work. “I still write about things that happened in high school,” she said.

“Older writers write about the same things as younger writers,” said Kopelke, whether that’s love, family, adventure, their relationships to others, work, nature, etc.

“But older writers see those subjects through the lens of more experience,” Kopelke continued. “Additionally, they are wanting to reframe their lives in meaningful ways, wanting to understand who they are now.

“They have an urgency and passion to write. Older writers may be less interested in pleasing an audience and more interested in discovering their own truth.”

For Brewer, poetry has enriched her life in many ways. Reading and writing stimulate her imagination, not to mention her vocabulary, and the authors’ readings, writing workshops, and literary festivals form a large part of her social life.

“Poetry is definitely my passion,” said Brewer. “I want to get my books into the hands of people who will be inspired by what I’ve written.”

For those who feel the poetic muse calling, Brewer suggests reading the book poemcrazy: freeing your life with words.

And then, she advised, “Just get started. Take a class, get together with friends to read poetry or write your own and discuss it with each other, and attend events such as Baltimore’s CityLit or Baltimore Book Festival.

“Everyone has a creative capacity, but we don’t often give ourselves permission to go into that space,” said Brewer. “Don’t hesitate to begin.”

To learn more about Passager Books, see passagerbooks.com or email mailto:editors@passagerbooks.com.

Area amateur poets are invited to enter the Beacon Celebration of the Arts, an
online competition for amateur artists, poets and photographers 50 and over. For contest rules and to upload entries, visit mdfedart.com/BeaconCelebration.