I was first and foremost a poet, and I have plunged back into it after dedicating myself mostly to children's literature for 25 years. I am currently working on a volume of poetry for adult readers called Rooms of Reknowing., and a chapbook of human rights poems called "Never Again. Again." Below are some of the poems included in these manuiscripts, along with the publications they appeared in. Please note the links to some of the most recent ones, available online, and/or in print. 

Also, I have founded a new poetry reading series called "Poetry Rocks!" in Vernon-Rockville, CT. It features published Connecticut poets, especially those in the Northeast part of the state. Each reading in the series features a Rockville High School poet, a poet from one of the higher education institutions, e.g. UCONN, and a nationally established poet residing in Connecticut. At least one of these poets will represent the fabulous diversity we have in the state. The series takes place at Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, and  is sponsored by the Vernon Arts Commission. As of this writing (September, 2017) there is no open mike, but it will be considered in the future. For more information, please email me at pegideitzshea@aol.com.

Recently Published Poetry:

“Hmong Knives” appeared in The Slag Review, Vol. 1, Summer 2016, p.1; and “Café Campana” appeared in The Slag Review Online, Summer 2016. Both poems can be viewed at https://slagreview.com/2016/07/09/pegi-deitz-shea-two-poems/

The following poems: “Nana’s French Twist”, “Work”, “The Roomers”,  appeared in slightly different versions in a series called “Rooms of Nana” published in the anthology, Cardinal House Poetry, published by Flying Horse Press, Autumn, 2016. P. 121-127.

“In the Dust, You” appeared in Earth’s Daughters: In the Jar, vol. 89, 2017. p. 32-33. www.earthsdaughters.org.

"Whoever You Are" appeared in the anthology, The Kindness of Strangers, Wising Up Press, 2016. P. 113-114. www.universaltable.com.

“The Sunken Church of Innisheer” appeared in Ireland of the Welcomes magazine, Vol. 66, Issue 1, January/February, 2017. P. 62. www.irelandofthewelcomes.com.

“Chère Tante Yvette” appeared in the anthology, Forgotten Women, Grayson Press, March 2017. P. 169-170. http://graysonbooks.com/index.html

“Little Blue Hiding Hood” appeared in Peace Poems. NJ Peace Project. 2017. P. 10-11.

“Bangkok Bar Girls” appeared in Not Your Mother’s Breast Milk, May 16, 2017. http://www.notyourmothersbreastmilk.com/home/2017/5/16/bangkok-bar-girls

“Electra Strikes” appeared in Not Your Mother’s Breast Milk, May 12, 2017. http://www.notyourmothersbreastmilk.com/home/2017/5/12/bte4t6barl6u61a1jccjhoi8860zrt

“White Privilege (for Tamir Rice)” appeared in Not Your Mother’s Breast Milk, June 7, 2017. http://www.notyourmothersbreastmilk.com/home/2017/6/7/white-privilege

“Your Bequest” appeared in Here, Issue 1, 2017. ECSU Publications. p. 29.

"Augur-ation Poem (After Mohamad Hafez’s 'His Majesty’s Throne – When societies allow their leaders to perform some verbal diarrhea')". Not Your Mother's Breast Milk. (Hafez's piece is included, with permission from the artist.)

http://www.notyourmothersbreastmilk.com/home/2017/8/22/augur-ation-poem

Older Poems

“Broken Down in PA” originally appeared in College Poetry Review (vol. 45) 1987.

 “Lost on a Weekend” originally appeared as “Old Barn” in the Farmington ValleyHerald, winter, 1988.

“The Perfect Weight of Kindling” appeared in The Tunxis Review, Vol 8. 1989.

“Oaks and Pining” appeared as “Oaks and Pines” in The Tunxis Review, vol. 9, 1990.

“Fire Places” appeared in Connecticut River Review. Fall/Winter 1989. Vol.11 No. 1.

“Nana’s Question” appeared in The Tunxis Review, vol. 9, 1990.

A version of “Pa’ndau at The Widow’s Store” originally appeared in Connecticut River Review, Spring 1990, and won an Honorable Mention in its contest.

“Knot Boy” appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, 1997.