February 2012
A Life in Poetry
by Chris Eboch
Socorro resident Barbara DuBois has had a long journey as a poet. "I started when I was ten, writing poetry for my mother," she says. As an adult, she continued to write poetry for holiday cards, but didn't try to get published until a student read a poem from Readers Digest. DuBois thought, "I can do that," and her career as a poet was born.
Originally from New York state, DuBois and her late husband traveled to New Mexico, where DuBois fell in love with the blue sky. She spent eighteen years teaching college English here, most recently at New Mexico Tech in Socorro.
Now retired, she focuses on poetry and enters a lot of contests. Poetry doesn't pay much, but the prizes feed her habit. "Whenever I win $50, I say, 'good, that buys me stamps,'" DuBois says. The real appeal is in sharing her work. "I like to show off. If I win something or get published, I can copy it and show my family and friends." DuBois has three children, four grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Name
Barbara DuBois
Resides Near
Socorro
Co-op Member
Socorro Electric
Occupation
Poet
Laughter in San Francisco
Her poem "Vivaldi," had audience members laughing at a poetry contest festival in San Francisco. She took first place.
In Her Words
"I read and write all day long. I write a review for everything I read, whether I send it in or not. I like to write anything."
Her recent successes include winning First Prize in the Dancing Poetry Contest for her poem "Vivaldi." She read her poem at the Dancing Poetry Festival, an event sponsored by the nonprofit organization, Artists Embassy International, in San Francisco.
"I hardly ever write anything serious," DuBois says. "It's usually funny. That's the way I am." Vivaldi is funny and "the people in San Francisco laughed at all the right places," DuBois notes. Her entire family accompanied her to the awards ceremony. DuBois's humor wasn't out of place. "The MC had bought Liberace's wardrobe, so he came out in a different colored sequined suit for each poet he introduced."
Her poems have appeared in publications with the State Poetry Society and on the Bosque Del Apache website, among other places. She also has six books of poetry available for sale. "A Greek Suite was inspired by my trip around Greece years ago," she explains. "Country Style was inspired by living around here, and that's usually everyone's favorite." Ten years after her husband died, she met her current companion, and their courtship is explored in Love Lyrics. Her other poetry books are Living Well, The Best Revenge, and Peregrinations.
DuBois is an active member of the State Poetry Society, and she founded the Socorro chapter. She says there is more support for poetry in New Mexico now than when she first started writing. The Society helps with school poetry contests, and the children "are marvelous," DuBois says. "They have a great time. We have many more youngsters than we do seniors. Up to junior high and then they get shy."
DuBois does other forms of writing as well, especially book reviews. Some are published in the Socorro El Defensor Chieftain. She has also written reviews for the Socorro Public Library newsletter, the teachers council, and the Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge newsletter.
"And I write memoirs and essays. The only thing I haven't been successful with is fiction." She's tried some, but not often. "I really enjoy memoir writing now," she says. "I read and write all day long. I write a review for everything I read, whether I send it in or not. I like to write anything."
You can read DuBois's poem "Vivaldi" online at www.dchieftain.com/2011/10/07/poet-honored.
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