Monthly poetry reading at the Lunch Box on historic Main Street!

The Third Thursday Poetry Reading begins at 7 p.m. at The Lunch Box, 217 E. Main Street. Presentation will be followed by open mic readings, at which time those attending are invited to read up to two poems of their own or from a favorite poet. 

SEPT 17, 2026 - Third Thursday Poetry and The Lunch Box welcome Sharon Edge Martin, a reading specialist and writer whose stories have appeared in a number of magazines and anthologies. A regular columnist for the Oklahoma Observer, her collection "Not A Prodigal" was a finalist for the Oklahoma Poetry Award.  More recently she has published a children's book, "Froggy Bottom Blues."  Her presentation at 7 pm.will be followed, as usual, by open mike.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm for those who want to order a meal. 

Aug 20, 2026 - Third Thursday Poetry welcomes Alan Berecka at 7 pm in the Lunch Box.  A reference librarian at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, his poetry has appeared in American Literary Review, Texas Review, Ardent, Windhover, Slow Trains, Christian Century, San Antonio Express and Red River Review. His chapbook, Each Man Has One Life, was published by Trilobite Press in 2004. His first full-length collection, The Comic Flaw, was published by neoNuma Arts in 2009.  His second collection, Remembering the Body, was published in 2011 by Mongrel Empire Press. His collection With Our Baggage was published in July of 2013 by Lamar University Press. His latest book The Hamlet of Stittville is a collaboration with his boyhood friend and New Yorker cartoonist John Klossner.  Mr. Berecka's presentation will be followed by an open mike session.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm, offering a full menu for those who want to order a meal.

July 16, 2026 - Third Thursday Poetry will feature "Spontaneous Bob," a Norman artist and poet, July 16 at 7pm in the Lunch Box on Main Street in Shawnee.  One of his recent books is "Every Cell, Lit Up," a poetry and art book one can shuffle. His reading will be followed by an open mike time.  The Lunch Box will. open at 6 pm, with all menu items available for ordering.  

June 18, 2026 - Third Thursday Poetry welcomes Ron Wallace, award winning poet and novelist, to the Lunch Box in Shawnee. Wallice currently teaches English at Southeastern OSU in Durant, where he was raised.  He has published eleven books of poetry and recently published a crime novel, A Secret Lies in New Orleans. His program will begin at 7 p.m., followed by open mike readings by those attending.  As usual, the Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. for those who want to order a dessert or drink.

May 21, 2026 -  Sly Alley, a Tecumseh poet, will be featured in the Third Thursday Poetry night at 7 pm in the Lunch Box, Shawnee. Mr. Alley's collection, Strong Medicine, won the 2017 Oklahoma Book Award for Poetry.  Mr. Alley has been a featured reader in a number of venues, including the Woody Guthrie festival in Okemah.  After his reading, an open mike will be available for any wanting to present poetry of their own or others.  The Lunch Box will open early, at 6 pm, for those who want to order a drink or dessert.

April 16, 2026 - Third Thursday Poetry will feature Tulsa physician David Jennings who likes to pair his poems with photographs. His first book, The Smallest Hint, won the 2023 Oklahoma Book Award in the photography/design category.  Since then he has published three more books of verse, the latest, in 2025, Dreams Like Mine.  Dr. Jennings' presentation will begin at 7 pm in the Lunch Box on Main Street, followed by an open mic session. 

March 19, 2026:  Third Thursday Poetry welcomes the multi-talented Janice-Francis Smith.  Ms Smith, current Managing Editor of Oklahoma City's Black Chronicle newspaper, has widely published and performed her poetry and songs. She has recorded five albums of her award-winning music. She is also co-coordinator of the Last Sunday poetry readings at the Full Circle bookstore in OKC.  Her performance begins at 7 pm in the Lunch Box on Main Street, followed by open mike readings.

Feb 20, 2026:  The Third Thursday Poetry welcomes Paul Juhasz, a quirky, humorous writer whose poetry and essay collection, Ronin, features pieces on writing an Oklahoma poem, preferring not to, and being lovelorn.  Hear Paul at the Lunch Box, Feb. 20 at 7 pm.  Come early if you want to order a drink and a dessert.

November 20, 2025:  The Third Thursday Poetry readings welcomes author and songwriter Nathan Brown to the mike at 7 pm in the Lunch Box on Main Street. Nathan has published 30-ish books. Most recent are the first two books in his new memoir series: The Birth of a Vagabond.  His recent poetry collection, Karma Crisis: New and Selected Poems, was a finalist for the  Oklahoma Book Award. His earlier book, Two Tables Over, won the 2009 Oklahoma Book Award. His most recent album of original songs is The Streets of San Miguel. Nathan's reading will be followed by an open mike session.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm.

August 21, 2025: Brent Newsom, a Shawnee poet, will be the featured reader at the Third Thursday Poetry Night, a program beginning at 7 pm in the Lunch Box, on Main Street.  Recently retiring from OBU, Newsom has published one collection of poetry, Love's Labors and currently heads the Fellowship of Fathers program, part of Shawnee's Community Renewal.  After his reading, an open mike period will allow attendees to share their own or favorite poems.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm for those who want to order a dessert or drink before the reading.  

JUNE 19, 2025:  Third Thursday Poetry features "cowboy poet" and novelist, Ron Wallace, adjunct professor of English at Southeastern State University in Durant.  He is the author of ten books of poetry, five of which have been finalists in the Oklahoma Book Awards with Renegade and Other Poems winning the 2017 Oklahoma Book Award. His recent novel, A Secret Lies in New Orleans uncovers family history, including a search for hidden loot.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm, Thursday, with Ron appearing at 7 pm. His presentation will be followed by an open mike session.

MAY 15, 2025:  The Third Thursday Poetry Reading welcomes a husband and wife team, Julie Chappell and Hank Jones, to the Lunch Box (on Main) microphone at 7 pm.  Julie is a retired professor, specializing in medieval and early modern literature. She has published three books of poetry and two collections of short stories. Hank is a retired world backpacker and teaches at Tarleton State University.  His poetry has appeared in a number of anthologies and journals, recently collected in "Too Late For Manly Hands."  The couple live at Lake Keystone in a house they share with four cats.  As an added feature, the winners of the adult division of the Jim Spurr Poetry Contest will be announced.  Winners will be given the opportunity to read their poems. The Lunch box will open at 6 pm for those who want to order a dessert.

Apr 17, 2025:  The Third Thursday Poetry night welcomes storyteller Rick Masters, from Norman.  A “regular,” Rick has entertained folks in the past with memories of streaking at OU, favorite “dream cars,” ice cream trucks, and the urge to collect things (anything).  After Rick’s tales, open mike, as usual.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm for those who want drinks or desserts.  The Rick’s presentation begins at 7.

Mar 20, 2025: The Third Thursday Poetry Reading welcomes Rockford Johnson on March 20--the first day of Spring--at the Lunch Box. His presentation will begin at 7 pm, followed by open mike readings.  Rockford, pastor at McFarlin Methodist Church in Norman, is a favorite of Third Thursday patrons, for his thoughtful and sometimes mysterious poems. The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm for those who want to order drinks and desserts.

Feb 20, 2025:  The Third Thursday Poetry Reading resumes in 2025 with a cowboy poet, brought up in Pott. County--Jon Callahan.  Self-described as being a former drinker with a writing problem, he claims to scribble just enough to convince people it's poetry.  He collects cotton balls.  Hear Jon on Feb. 20th at 7 pm in the Lunch Box on Main Street.  His presentation will be followed by an open mike session.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm for those who want to come early to sample its tasty desserts. 

Nov 21, 2024:  The Third Thursday Poetry Reading will welcome OBU’s Ben Myers, author of four books of poetry, the latest being, The Book of Family Martyrs (2023).  Ben was Oklahoma’s Poet Laureate in 2015-2016.  The reading will take place in the Lunch Box on Main in Shawnee, beginning at 7 pm, November 21^st. Ben’s presentation will be followed by an open mic session.  

Oct 17, 2024:  The Third Thursday Poetry Reading welcomes Paul Juhasz, an Oklahoma City writer who likes to create prose poems. In Ronin, his range includes "Scar Stories," "The Problem With Inspiration," and his "Bucket List," where he reveals he's still searching for a wine that goes with Cap'n Crunch.  Paul will read at the Lunch Box on Main Street, beginning at 7 pm, followed by an open mic section when members of the audience can share favorite poems or their own work.  The Lunch Box opens at 6 pm, for those who want to arrive early and order a dessert or drink.

Sep 19, 2024: The Third Thursday Poetry reading at the Lunch Box on Main, at 7 pm, will feature a popular "street poet," Johnie "Catfish" from Edmund. Author of seven collections, he is currently working on "Fathers, Children, and Questions," exploring his life as a child with parents and his life as a parent himself.  Another work-in-progress is "It's A Choice," concerning the words we use to justify the choices we make.  Come and enjoy this performer-poet.

Aug 15, 2024: Third Thursday Poetry will feature Alan Berecka, from Sinton Texas.  A retired librarian, former Poet Laureate of Corpus Christie, Berecka has published in dozens of anthologies and collections and been a featured reader at international festivals. He will begin reading at 7 pm at the Lunch Box on Main Street in Shawnee, with open mike readings following.  The Lunch Box will open at 6 pm for those who want to order desserts or drinks.