Poetry gets a bad rap any more, too often dismissed as something hopelessly musty or maudlin. Yet its power is easily observed in certain quarters, and one of them is the local effort called Voices from Inside.

The group offers women in prison (or formerly) writing groups, a forum in which they can hone their poetic skills. On Dec. 7, a group of writers from the organization offers a spoken word performance dubbed Limitless Possibilities.

The performers are working under the direction of spoken word performer Angus Brewer, thanks to funds from the Northampton Arts Council.

Dec. 7, 7 p.m., suggested donation $5-10, Lyman Hall, First Churches, 129 Main St., Northampton, (entrance to Lyman Hall via Center Street).