Written by Thomasina Levy
In February 2021, Oliver Wolcott Library officially announced its search for a Poet Laureate for the Town of Litchfield under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. The Board created this position to encourage the appreciation of poetry, good writing, and the spoken word.
This extraordinary opportunity was awarded to writer and musician Robert Piazza, a Litchfield resident whose poems have appeared in many renowned publications such as October Hill Magazine, Neologism Poetry Journal, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, Young Ravens Literary Review, Welter Online at University of Baltimore, Months to Years Literary Journal, and Helix Literary Magazine at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU).
Robert earned his MFA in Creative Writing at Fairfield University and teaches literature and composition at colleges and universities throughout New England. He is a disciplined writer who has set aside time every day for the past 20 years with special devotion to his craft to stay true to his artistic vision.
He started writing poetry at a young age and says, “Writing … just came to me naturally as a gift and blessing … and I think it probably saved my life. Poetry’s always been there for me when I’m lost.”
In addition to being an extraordinary poet, he is also a talented classical guitarist who comes from a long line of renowned classical musicians. Before he earned his MFA in Creative Writing, Robert majored in music with a concentration in classical guitar performance, graduating with a BA in Music from Boston College, where he studied orchestration, composition, music theory, ear training, etc. After college, he worked as a professional musician in Boston for three years. (He practices his guitar every day as well.)
Robert is a true renaissance man and Litchfield is fortunate to have him spreading music and poetry for its citizens to enjoy.
October Mist
(first published in Helix Literary Magazine, Summer 2023)
Sometimes my rake strikes sparks
when I scratch the rocks or gravel—
Lovers wave to soldiers on the train
in black & white movies I have seen—
They cry into their handkerchiefs—
The swish of my rake against the dirt
makes mountains of your leave-taking,
pyramids for you, father, my pharaoh—
Everyone I ever love will leave
calluses in the crook of my hand—
This old rake has prongs of metal
outstretched like skeleton fingers—
Filling the rusty wheelbarrow,
I lean my rake against the shed
and wipe my forehead with my shirt—
Like a pallbearer, I drag the tarp
across the yard—I twist my hips—
Dad, you were always such a liar—
Sometimes I wish you didn’t hurt
me so much—I strike a match—
This mound becomes your funeral pyre
as I light the fire with gasoline—
The smoke of burning leaves lingers
in the air like ghosts at Halloween,
but nothing smolders like my sorrow—
More of his extraordinary poems can be viewed at the following links:
-Elegy for Betty: https://monthstoyears.org/elegy-for-betty/
-Barbershop: https://blogs.ubalt.edu/welter/poetry-2/barbershop/
-Transfer Station: https://heartoffleshlit.com/issue-six/rob-piazza/
For more information about Robert go to https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/robert_piazza to see his many accomplishments and watch a video reciting a poem by William Butler Yeats.
Robert Piazza: Publications and Prizes
Journals: Halcyon Days, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, The Helix, Months To Years, Mystic Blue Review, Neologism Poetry Journal, October Hill Magazine, Society of Classical Poets, Welter, Young Ravens Literary Review
Prizes won: Headline Poet at Trinity Open-Mic, Torrington, CT, September 2023; Featured Reader at Mad River Literary Festival sponsored by Northwestern Connecticut Community College, April 2023; Recipient of Individual Writers Grant, Litchfield Community Writers Group, February 2023; Featured Reader, Post University Open-Mic, Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, CT, October 2022; Poet Laureate of Litchfield, Connecticut, 2021; Honorable Mention for “Boston, 1989” in Robert Haiduke Poetry Prize, Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College, 2004; Poet Laureate, Chatsworth Elementary School, Larchmont, NY, 1980.
