Since the middle of the 1990s, a group of local poets has met on a monthly basis, workshopping the poetry they write. Once a year the group, called the Tin Box Poets, hosts an open mic night, inviting members and other poets for a night of sharing and listening.

Rows of chairs were set up inside Local Cannabis, a Swampscott dispensary, on Sunday afternoon for Tin Box’s 2026 open mic night. Dozens came to both present and hear poetry, which covered a wide range of topics and genres.

After critiquing each other’s poetry in monthly meetings, Tin Box members like to take part in open mic nights in the area. Tin Box poet Lee Freedman said it’s great to be able to connect with local poets on a regular basis.

Some poems were light and some were heavy, some happy and some on the sadder side. Themes explored over the course of the event included loss, frustration, comfort and unrequited love.

Freedman, who emceed the event, said open mic nights serve as a great way to listen to others’ poetry and meet new people who share the passion for poetry.

“There’s a huge scene on the North Shore,” said Freedman. “There are open mics all over.”

Along with attendees, Local Cannabis employees and shoppers stopped and listened as poems were read.

One attendee even brought a guitar and sang a song.

“Everybody did great,” said Freedman. “The venue is trippy…Everyone likes to make little jokes about it.”