Dear ,
On any given blue sky day, it's likely that at least once, the words "blue true dream of sky" will play through my head. Can you guess today's poem from that clue?
Yes, it's "i thank You God for most this amazing" by e.e. cummings, which you can read (and listen to) here:
Now, it's common knowledge that gratitude is good for us—body, heart, mind, and spirit. But I knew that way back in the early 70s, when my heart lifted every time I read, or even thought of, this poem filled with "the leaping greenly spirit of trees" and "everything //
which is natural which is infinite which is yes."
What poem lifts your heart? I'd love for you to email and let me know.
And don't forget about this Saturday's Fooling Around with Poetry workshop, should it interest you and fit your location and schedule. More info below.
Wishing you a heart full of gratitude,
Maureen
FOOLING AROUND WITH POETRY
THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 1st!
(Learning What Makes a Poem a Poem;
Practicing Poem-Making via Playful Prompts)
Ever wished your writing had more finesse? Or wondered what goes into the making of a fine poem?
This workshop that celebrates both National Poetry Month and April Fool’s Day explores “poetic ingredients” in the areas of content, sound, and form that will increase your writing expertise. As we “fool around” with these ingredients through lively discussion and playful prompts, you’ll learn how to identify and use them to strengthen your poetry and/or prose, as well as foolproof ways to ease into the writing process. All levels welcome. WHERE: Covenant Presbyterian Recreation Center, 1000 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. Click here for map.
WHEN: Saturday, April 1st, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
COST: $38 (Or save money by bundling
multiple “WordPlay National Poetry Month Celebration” Offerings—see below for details.)
* Or, you can save money by also taking advantage of one or both of the other "National Poetry Month" Offerings:
Bundle “WordPlay National Poetry Month Celebration” offerings and save.
To register for Fooling Around with Poetry AND Poetry Rocks, click here. (Your price will be $72, a savings of
13%.)
To register for Fooling Around with Poetry AND The Art and Craft of Polishing a Poem, click here. (Your price will be $66, a savings of
13%.)To register for Fooling Around with Poetry AND The Art and Craft of Polishing a Poem AND Poetry Rocks, click here. (Your price will be $89, a savings of 26%.)
More WordPlay opportunities here. MAUREEN RYAN GRIFFIN, an award-winning poetry and nonfiction writer, is the author of Spinning Words into Gold, a Hands-On Guide to the Craft of Writing, a grief workbook entitled I Will Never Forget You, and three collections of poetry, Ten Thousand Cicadas Can't Be Wrong, This Scatter of Blossoms and When the Leaves Are in the Water. One of her long-held dreams came true in July of 2015 when Garrison Keillor read one of her poems on The Writer's Almanac. She believes, as author Julia Cameron says, "We are meant to midwife dreams for one another."
Maureen also believes that serious "word work" requires serious WordPlay, as play is how we humans best learn—and perform. What she loves best is witnessing all the other dreams that come true for her clients along the way. Language, when used with
intentionality and focus, is, after all, serious fuel for joy. Here's to yours! |
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