SDSPS was organized in 1927 and incorporated as a South Dakota non-profit on August 8, 1970.
Our Mission
To encourage and foster the writing and publication of poetry by South Dakota writers and to promote excellence therein; to arouse in students of high school and college age, interest in the creative writing of poetry; to foster or publish Pasque Petals, a magazine, on a regular basis, thereby continuing the publication which was begun before the Society was organized, which publication is devoted chiefly to poetry, to stimulate by such proper means as the sponsoring of contests, awarding of prizes, and by other means of encouragement, the writing of poetry; and by these means to aid in the cultural growth of South Dakota.
SDSPS acknowledges that we share the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin, or Seven Council Fires nations, the proper name for the tribes of the Santee-Dakota, Yankton-Nakota, and Teton-Lakota people, referred to collectively as the Sioux.
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Poetry and Song: What’s the Diff?
What exactly is the difference, if any, between poems and song lyrics? The two clearly have a shared history and ongoing connection; some of the earliest poetry, after all, exists as hymns, and, as my 16-year old son likes to tell me, RAP is an acronym for “rhythm and poetry.” And didn’t Bob Dylan just […]
Wisława Szymborska’s “Could Have”
It is difficult to explain good fortune. I inspected a garage fire last week. I could tell you that I went further into the wreckage than I should have to get a better look at his tool chests. I could tell you that my cell phone rang while I stood under charred rafters that were […]
Re-Seeing: The Role of Revision in the Writing Process
“Writing Process” refers to a method or way of approaching the practice of writing; it’s a series of recursive activities that begins with generative writing and ends with a polished text. I use “writing “ and “text” generally because I use this process for all kinds of writing that I compose, including poetry, memoirs, essays, […]
January Happenings
Beat the South Dakota winter by taking part in poetry, art and literary happenings around the state. Here are a few things coming up this month that we know about: January 12 Great Faces What: Juried visual and literary arts show sponsored by Arts Night @ The Pub Where: Dempsey’s Pub • 127 N. Broadway, Watertown […]
Call for Poems: Spring 2017 Pasque Petals
The submission period for our Spring 2017 Pasque Petals is now open, through February 1. Get the details and submit your poems.
Great Faces Juried Visual & Literary Arts Show
Check out the juried visual and literary arts show sponsored by Arts Night @ The Pub coming up on January 12th at Dempsey’s Pub at 127 N. Broadway in Watertown, SD. Submission deadline is December 31. Contact Doris Symens Armstrong at 605-680-1872 or Ann Taecker at 605-882-1780 for more information. Featured image on home page […]