Woodland Pattern’s Poetry Marathon starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and will run into the wee hours of Sunday morning. During this annual event and fundraiser, hundreds of poets, writers and lovers of the arts will perform a five-minute set, one after the other, for 15 hours.

The event is open to the public at the bookstore, 720 E. Locust St., with a $10 cover charge. This cover includes a wristband that will allow you to come and go throughout the day. Individuals who sponsor a reader for $35 or more will receive a complimentary wristband.

On behalf of OnMilwaukee, I’m hosting the 2 p.m. hour that will feature readings from myself, along with writers Royal Brevvaxling (OnMilwaukee contributor), Monica Thomas (former OnMilwaukee intern), Bryon Cherry, Katharina Hren, Nick Ramsey, Jennifer Hoepner, Denise Lubotsky, Carolyn Vega and Earl Jude.

Reader’s secure a minimum $35 pledge to read at a programmed time and all of the money raised supports Woodland Pattern’s 2018 programming in literature and the arts. It allows Woodland Pattern to continue to program more than 300 unique readings, classes and workshops, exhibitions and screenings, community activities and events. Woodland Pattern is also a community meeting space.

"Woodland Pattern’s Poetry Marathon is an important community event in its inclusivity, it gathers people from diverse backgrounds together in the promotion of thoughtful and creative expression," says literary program director, Marla Sanvick. "Readers at the Marathon are otherwise, truck drivers, stockbrokers, students and 6-year-olds – among others. There is always an enthusiastic and supportive audience ready to encourage first-time readers as well as poet laureates. No matter where a writer is in their career, there is a spot for them here."

Personally, I’m looking forward to reading very short pieces about Cadillacs, uber Packers fans, failed mom moments and wind chimes.