 WORDS OF A UNION POET — Dan
Wilcox holds one of his poetry books, Med-itations of a
Survivor, at the Firlefanz Gallery in Albany. —
Photo by Deborah A. Miles
Poets abound in
PEF
Contract gives
member time to pursue literary journey
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Donning a French beret, Dan Wilcox can be found hosting
and reading poetry on a regular basis at various clubs
throughout Albany.
He’s a major player in the poetry scene, not only as
an organizational force behind many of the open mics, but
also as an inspiration and mentor to other poets.
By day, this PEF member is a disability analyst 3 at the
state Division of Disability Determinations.
“In my years of working for the state, I’ve
been able to make some positive changes in the disability
program,” Wilcox said.
Union members have long recognized the basic human need
for “bread and roses.”
In keeping with that labor tradition, Wilcox is not
satisfied with simply helping people who are no longer
able to work. He pursues his life as a poet, as well. And
he credits the union for allowing him the time to devote
to his poetic endeavors.
Earning time for poetry
“Through the efforts of PEF, we have earned the
leisure time to pursue our personal goals. That was the
message of unions long ago, which PEF successfully
carries on,” Wilcox said.
“I’ve been a member of PEF since its inception.
Because of the benefits PEF has won over the years on
contracts, such as vacation time, I can achieve my poetry
ambitions,” he added.
Wilcox uses accrued vacation time to tour the United
States to read his poetry in cities named Albany. With a
poetry troupe, known as “3 Guys From Albany,”
he has visited 10 of the 18 cities.
“We plan to go to Albany, California in the
spring,” Wilcox said.
“The troupe was formed in 1993 at the Geraldine
Dodge Poetry Festival and includes Tom Nattell, Charlie
Rossiter and myself.”
Social issues spark verses
Traveling across the country to the various Albanys and
passing historical sites along the way has inspired
Wilcox to write some poetry about workers and their
rights.
“I have some labor-orientated poems and some about
labor history. I wrote about the Haymarket Riot of 1886
in Chicago. I found the alley where it took place, where
the workers were killed trying to get an eight-hour
workday,” he said. “I’ve written a lot
about other social issues, including some poems for
rallies or other similar events.”
In fact, Wilcox started writing about social issues and
other topics when he was in high school. Since then, his
poetry has been published in numerous small press
publications, and some national ones including
“Contact II” and “The Patterson
Review.” His most recent poetry will appear in an
anthology called “Out of the Catskills”
published by the Bright Hills Poetry Center.
Wilcox has also published eight books, including three of
his own, and a book for Anthony Bernini, which will be
carried by Amazon.com.
Stepping up to the mic
Along with publishing, reading and touring, Wilcox hosts
a monthly open-mic session with a featured poet at a
venue on Hudson Avenue called “Changing
Spaces.”
“It’s a cozy place, easily accessible to people
in the downtown area,” Wilcox said. “There is
no alcohol, so people who are challenged that way or
younger people can come. We’ve had people read as
young as 8 years old, up to those in their 70s. You get
everyone; it’s not just a bunch of Bohemians.
“It reflects a community at large, so in this area
you find poets who are state workers, legislators, postal
workers and a lot of PEF members,” he said.
Wilcox says he has featured some of those PEF poets at
Changing Spaces and adds he’s found members
throughout the state who like to write and step-up to the
mic.
“Being a state worker and union member infuses all
my work as a poet,” Wilcox said. “It integrates
my whole life. It’s not two separate things.
I’m one person — it’s not just being a
state worker, a union member and a poet. They all
interact, and they are all a part of who I am.”
PEF member and author Robert
Furlani — Click Here
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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
Ad blitz aims to save jobs,
services
Pataki eyes budget cuts
ERI savings slim pickings
for state
Bill outlaws discrimination
is now law
Leaders open PS&T
contract talks
PEF honors its Ground Zero
heroes
Departments
President's Message: Budget
balancing act
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Health & Safety:
Smallpox vaccine concerns
Member
Mobilization:Organization is key
Nurses' Station: Lobby Day
plans for May
Health Notes: Empire Plan
number reaches all
Retirees In Action: Losing
ground financially
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
Worker's Rights
Reg. 8 brings holiday cheer
State promises Rx for
docs’ pension-credit snafu
They got the 'write stuff':
• Furlani • Wilcox
AED training provides
statewide life support
PEF, Black Caucus plan
receptions
Apply May 1 for Jean DeBow
scholarship
PEF magazine, TV ad win big
2003 Election Rules Dates,
Rules, Requirements
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