Thom Francis welcomes poets Brian Liston and Joan Goodman, who shared their work at the Poetic License Poetry Reading and Open Mic at the Honest Weight Food Co-op on Monday, October 14, 2024.

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Poetic License celebrates the creative intersections of poetry and visual art by bringing together writers from Hudson Valley Writers Guild and artists from the Upstate Artists Guild.

Last year's exhibit showcased 42 pieces of art, created by 24 artists, each responding to poems written by 23 regional and national poets. This fusion of imagery and language gives us a fresh look at how art can interpret, transform, and reimagine the written word.

On October 14, 2024, poets featured in the exhibit were invited to read their work in a special poetry reading hosted by local photographer and activist Dan Wilcox. Poets shared their pieces while surrounded by the very art they inspired—a full-circle moment for words and visuals alike.

Today, we’re thrilled to bring you the voices of two of those poets: Brian Liston, who is the only poet who has had his poetry appear in all three Poetic License exhibits, and Joan Goodman, who was a reader in the open mic portion of the evening.

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The 2025 edition of Poetic License exhibit has moved across the river and is now on view at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany through November 16. There will be an Artist Reception and Poetry Reading event as part of Albany’s First Friday on November 7, 2025.

For more information on Poetic License and its upcoming events, go to https://poeticlicensealbany.com. And while you are there, you can read the poems and view the art that is featured in the show.