Mery’s Mentions & Musings…
Keep up to date on Mery’s publications, event responses, and notes from the super-mom herself. Feel free to submit a contact form for any event inquiries or just to chat about poetry, writing, and life!
Feedback from Mery’s Alcohol Awareness Event at Big Bend Community College -
"Hello Mery, I just wanted to share how deeply impactful your poetry and alcohol awareness event was for me and thank you for visiting the Big Bend Community College campus. The prompts you presented really pushed me creatively, and I’ve noticed a genuine improvement in my writing since attending. In fact, two of the poems I wrote using your prompts will be featured in an upcoming poetry event, something I honestly didn’t expect when I first walked into the room!
You left a lasting impression on me, not only through your powerful message but also through your authenticity and the safe, inspiring space you created. Your event didn’t just give me tools; it sparked something in me that will continue to shape my journey as a poet. Thank you for being such a meaningful part of my growth. - Marina Sanchez”
Andrea Gibson died July 14th. They were instrumental in ways too vast to list. Humanitarian, Advocate for the planet, and in the last few years of their lives an expert on turning pain and grief into masterpiece works of spiritual manifestos.
Their work significantly impacted my own as I went through a painful divorce. "Break your heart so your spirit won't" was some days the only solace I could find. Short and simple and profoundly comforting. How did they know? How could they talk to me through the spirals of time and space like that?
Their work was rooted in mysticism. With the truth as fueling grace, their woven collection transcended the constraints of gender, time and every should I had learned about growing up.
In a lot of ways, Andrea's work as a poet felt like re-parenting myself. Today I wanted to just send my love to their partner Meg who has been so gracious in her own grieft to continue wrtiing yes, but sharing her words with us all, head still-spinning.
A Legend We’ve Lost
The Spokesman Review
Mon, April 28th 2025
“Mery Smith brings poetry to the inside: ‘Poetry does save lives’”
Read about Mery’s time teaching poetry and creative writing to inmates at Airway Heights Correctional Facility in Spokane, WA.
Big Bend ASB and the William C. Bonaudi Library brought Spokane poet Mery Smith to campus yesterday in honor of #NationalPoetryMonth and #AlcoholAwarenessMonth! Mery led students through several writing exercises as she shared her personal story of poetry and sobriety.
Spending time with the lovely folks from the Memory Cafe at Spokane County Library and their caregivers.
Poetry Hour was AMAZING!