Whether inspired by the little joys in life, a family event, or a national holiday, three poets from the ISU community share on thing in common: Their poems will be published in the 57th edition of “Lyrical Iowa,” the anthology of the Iowa Poetry Association.

Janis Stone, extension professor of textiles and clothing; David Gradwohl, professor emeritus of anthropology; and Rich Pirog, program coordinator at the Leopold Center, will each have a poem published in the upcoming edition. They are among 350 people statewide and 20 people in Story County chosen to have poems published.

Janis Stone, who has had poems published by the Iowa Poetry Association since 1994, continues to be amazed when her poems are selected.

“I’m always surprised,” Stone says. “I have not had any formal training in writing poetry. I read a lot of poetry and I think you learn a lot by reading other poets.”

Stone says she tends to write about things that affect her emotionally in some way. Her current poem, “Another Day in Skilled Care,” is a about the Easter Sunday morning she spent with her father just before he died.

“Poetry is something I do when I’m waiting, or alone, or when I have some time on my hands to think about life,” Stone says.

Gradwohl and Pirog have also had poems published in previous editions of “Lyrical Iowa.” Gradwohl, who has had poems published in “Lyrical Iowa” every year since 1995, says he thinks of poetry as more than a hobby.

“I think of my poetry as just another aspect of my research and writing about human behavior,” Gradwohl says. “My hobbies on the other hand, are mountain climbing, hiking, music and gardening.”

Gradwohl admits that his poetry writing is sporadic because he has to be in the right mood to write.

“Joy, sadness, anger and other emotions can trigger thoughts for poetry,” Gradwohl says. “Then, I need to isolate myself, go into my office and shut the door, go for a walk in the woods or somewhere else where I can pursue my thoughts without interruptions from telephones, doorbells, or even innocent questions from my wife.”

Gradwohl says his motivation to write his poem, “Fourth of July,” came to him several years ago when he was taking a morning walk after a Fourth of July holiday. He says his poem is superficially about the fanfare and events of the holiday, but to him it also contains a deeper meaning.

“The text is about [firework] `snakes,’ rockets and firecrackers on the Fourth of July,” Gradwohl says. “The subtext, in my mind at least, is a juxtaposition of ephemeral human lives and the infinity of nature.”

To Pirog, poetry is a creative outlet and a hobby.

“It’s a fun outlet, a fun way to express oneself,” Pirog says.

He says he also likes to use poetry for free writing and creative thinking.

“It’s best to write about what you know rather than abstract things you don’t know about – at least that’s what I think,” Pirog says.

His poem, titled “The Yeast in Joyful Things,” is about the small events in life that bring happiness.

“It’s a way to honor the little things in life’s journey,” Pirog says.

The 57th edition of “Lyrical Iowa” will be available for purchase in late October.

People who are interested in obtaining a copy of the book may write to Lyrical Iowa 2002 Editor in Chief Lucille Morgan Wilson, 2325 61st St., Des Moines, IA 50322.