Page 64 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 52 Winter 2025

Al the Biker Saturday Morning with Poetry 2012 Al jumping off a sand dune 1976
Alfred Mueller,

A Man Who Wore Many Hats

December 12, 1934 – January 4, 2025
by Karen Ciosek

I first met Al Mueller in November
2008. At that time, he was a mem-
ber of the Meriden Poetry Society.
His 14 years of public service to the
Wallingford Public Library began
when he believed that Wallingford
could use a poetry club, a place
to bring poetry lovers and writers
together. Since I was interested in
honing my poetry skills, I visited
the library one Saturday morn-
ing for Al’s initial poetry meeting.
There were about eight to ten of us
“homegrown poets” that morning.
The rest is history for what became
Saturday Mornings with Poetry, Al and family 2023
SMwP, now in its 16th year at the
WPL. Recognizing the need for equal poems which brought more impact

Al had such energy and foresight in ownership in the club Al suggested to our reading of poetry.
that any member could volunteer
developing this group. Every Satur- to select and read a poem from any Critiquing our poems was a deli-
day he offered pedagogical insight author to open our meetings. This cate and encouraging process as
about poetic terms, prompts to Opening Poem initiated discussion our group grew and bonded.
stimulate ideas and thoughts, and about the author’s style, language,
handouts on famous authors’ po- tone, and meaning behind the po- Al created space where we felt safe
ems to acclimate us to poets and etic verse. Al’s intention was to in sharing personal thoughts and
the basics of poetic jargon, most of enable us to start using terms and events. Respect for each other’s
which I still have. verbiage to dissect and understand work was recognized and praised.

Al took on many roles, as teach- the world of poetry. Al let us know, Positive suggestions were made
he, too, was learning along with us. to improve our work. There was a
er, leader, director. He began each A few times he showed videos of mutual feeling that we were in the
meeting with an Opening Poem famous authors reading their own right place to learn and grow as po-
from a famous or unknown author.

64 Wallingford Magazine - Winter 2025