About two years ago, a beloved tradition in poetry left downtown Ames. It was a sad day for all, but now poetry lovers can rejoice once more.

The popular Poetry for Pleasure is back. For those who missed out the first time, a group is again meeting for lovers of odes and sonnets alike.

The sharing of popular poetry, including the works of Robert Frost and British writers, originally ran only three months. According to Dorothy Fyfe, an original participant in the group, sharing was stopped because Deborah Marquardt, a professor in the Iowa State writing department, began giving regular poetry lectures on Sundays.

When the lectures stopped, Pleasures beginner Dale Edwards and Fyfe decided to bring the meetings back.

“In the past, the meetings included a little less than 15 people,” Fyfe says. “Most came to read, but guests were welcome to sit in and listen.”

This year, the group size will be limited to 15 people because of the available library space. Also, a smaller group allows everyone to share within the 1 1/2-hour time limit, Fyfe says.

“When people wish to read a certain selection, they only need to bring in a copy of the poem, or poems, and place it in a folder located at the front desk. Copies are then made for everyone in the group,” she says.

In the past, a diverse age group met, including people up to 70 years old. This year, registration has shown “a younger interest in the group,” Fyfe says.

The meetings are meant for sharing only; no discussion or study is usually offered. Guidelines for sharing will be discussed fully during the first meeting on Sept. 1.

During the summer, library space becomes less available, so Poetry for Pleasure will most likely only run through the school year. There is, however, a possibility for a summer session if more space opens up.

Meetings will be held in the Community Room of the Ames Public Library at 7 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month, with a few exceptions.

“The meetings are intended mostly for published works,” Fyfe says, “and are not intended to be an ‘open mike’ group.”

There are still openings in the group and registrations are being taken through Aug. 28. To register, contact Edwards in the evenings at 232-2019 or Lynne Carey, outreach coordinator for the library, at 239-5640.