Diane Wahto

First, the Reflection Diane Wahto

When my three sons left for college, I entered the MFA program at Wichita State University. I entered the buzz saw of critique workshops full of hope. However, after a few weeks I planned to drop out of the program, Robert Dana, a visiting professor from Iowa, said I should stay in the program. I eventually learned how to write poetry. Professor Bruce Cutler became my thesis advisor. He entered of my poems to the American Academy of Poet competition. I was awarded rst place, with a check to go along with it. After I graduated with the MFA, I taught English Composition at Butler Community College, where I taught for forty plus years. I'm still writing poetry and getting published. I'm also a co-editor for three editions of 365, the anthology of poets who post to the Facebook, "365 Poems in 365 Days." I've published two books of poetry. Leap of Faith, is a self- published book with the help of my son and his MAC computer. My second book, The Sad Joy of Leaving, was published by Blue Cedar Press. As president of District 5 of the Kansas Authors Club, I've gotten to know poets from around the state. I also belong to four poetry groups, Poets in Hiding, Women Who Write, Thursday Group, and Basement Bards. I owe thanks to everyone in those groups for their close and careful reading of my work. I especially appreciate Roy Beckemeyer, Robert Dean, and Ronda Miller for their support. In May, my poem, "In Answer to W. B Yeats," I received the first place award in the Kansas Voices for the traditional poetry category, as well as winning the best poet award. My husband, our little dog Annie, and I live in Wichita's Old Town in a house that's almost a hundred years old.