Volume IX, Issue 29
July 15, 2020
Dear ,
Thanks again if you joined me for my virtual reading at Chautauqua Institution last Thursday. Seeing familiar faces made me so happy! If you weren't able to make it and would like to watch the video recording, you'll find it at this link: s://youtu.be/ndLWMudnqZY . (I was the second reader, after my friend Dr. Shahid Aziz; my reading starts at minute 32.)
Today's featured writing, a poem of mine about trust called "Deep End," is one I wrote for my daughter Amanda way back when she was first taking swim lessons. I decided to share it at my reading, as it made me smile when I came across it as I was flipping through Ten Thousand Cicadas Can't Be Wrong. Because just a few weeks ago, I watched my two young grandsons for an hour while now-grown Amanda took her just-turned-two-year-old daughter, Ellie, to a socially distanced Mom and Tot swim lesson. (Here's a photo of Ellie, bearing books to be read.)
I must confess, thinking about little Ellie in the deep end strikes fear in my heart. I felt the same way when Amanda was learning to swim. I know this fear is irrational, but that doesn't keep me from feeling it, if only temporarily. Writing a poem about it helped, and the metaphor contained in "Deep End" speaks to the age-old struggle between fear and trust many of us are often facing these days.
I hope "Deep End" makes you smile, too. Maybe it will remind you of that miraculous moment in your own life when you experienced floating for the first time!
Love and light,
Maureen
WordPlay
Opportunities
Shaping Our Lives by Shaping Our Words:
Through the Pandemic and Beyond
What benefits can writing provide—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? We know now that the words we use and the stories we tell shape our daily experiences. Learn to shape words that bring out the best in you—and others. In this class incorporating Dr. James Pennebaker’s ground-breaking work, you’ll practice holistic, whole brain writing approaches that broaden your perspectives and deepen your
compassion. And, if you’re interested, you’ll create new poetry, creative nonfiction, and/or fiction.
For more information, visit https://learn.chq.org/courses/shaping-our-lives-by-shaping-our-words-through-the-pandemic-and-beyond.
WHERE: Online via Chautauqua Institution
WHEN: Monday, August 3rd – Friday, August 7th, 2020 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
COST: $115
TO REGISTER: Visit https://learn.chq.org/courses/shaping-our-lives-by-shaping-our-words-through-the-pandemic-and-beyond and click “Enroll Now”
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How Do I Say
Goodbye? and Praying You Goodbye
These two books are for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one—whether the loss is
impending, recent, or in the past.
The contemplative exercises within are a guide through the “many waters” of grief (from Madeleine L'Engle's A Two-Part Invention), including "treasuring" and "keeping" as well as regret and sadness.
What is grief, after all, but a sign of the depth of our love? On the far shore is always gratefulness, for, as the French proverb says, “Gratitude is the heart’s memory.” Those who enjoy writing will likely also find poems, essays, and/or stories emerging as they make their way through these
pages.
I created the process shared in these two books in June of 2002, shortly after my mother died, as a way to mindfully mourn this loss—and celebrate her life. I shared it with a beloved friend, the Reverend Rebecca Taylor, when she lost her father, and she encouraged me to make it available to others. Here it is, in two versions, both of which offer quotes, reflections, prompts, and space to write about your loved one, as well as beautiful photographs by Wendy H. Gill that enhance each part of the process. Either
version makes a thoughtful condolence gift for a friend or family member.
How Do I Say Goodbye? is for those of any faith, with quotes from many different sources to accompany the process. It can be purchased on Amazon here.
Praying You Goodbye is specifically for Christians, with accompanying quotes from Scripture chosen by Reverend Rebecca Taylor. It can be purchased on Amazon here.
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POETRY ROCKS!
Would you like your writing — prose and/or poetry — to be more graceful, powerful, beautiful? Do you sometimes find poetry confusing or intimidating and wish you could “crack the code”? Or do you enjoy writing and reading poems, but want a more thorough understanding of what makes a
poem good? Then this poetry extravaganza is for you.
Expect a good time exploring what makes a poem a poem, gaining the knowledge you need to confidently create and revise poetry, and strengthening your writing skills in all genres.
It would be a joy and an honor to share what rocks about poetry with you.
HERE’S WHAT YOU GET:
- 23 poetry creation tools, delivered one per day (Monday through Friday) to your inbox — in honor of National Poetry month. Use them as you get them, use them when you can, use them over and over to create poems. Each tool zeroes in on one aspect
of poetry and provides an innovative method to approach writing a poem. Many of them are great for creating prose, too. The tools include:
* a purpose, so you’re clear what you will learn
* background information when helpful
* “how-to” directions to create a poem
* an example that illustrates the poetry tool in action
* a short reflection to solidify the concepts covered
* “Hone Your Craft” suggestions for further exploration
* a short reflection to solidify the concepts covered
- A PDF document of each tool that you can print or save on your computer
- An audio recording of each tool, so you can learn by listening and/or reading
- Instruction on the role of audience, reading like a writer, and the process of revision, including a handy Revision Checkpoint Chart — this information can be applied to strengthen your prose as well as
poetry
- Additional poetry resources
- An e-book that contains the information and resources covered, as well as your 23 poetry creation tools for ongoing use
WHERE: From the comfort of your own home, via the web.
WHEN: Any time you want! And once you receive all 23 tools, they’re yours to keep, which means that you can keep using them for years to come.
COST: $45
TO REGISTER: To pay with a check via mail, email info@wordplaynow.com for instructions. To register for Poetry Rocks online, click here.
More WordPlay opportunities coming soon.
Stay posted!
Deep End
Even her hair floats.
She’s learned the exact
angle of chin, elbow,
to keep her eyes open.
She knows the trick’s to think
as long as you’re on
top, it doesn’t matter
where the bottom is.
I watch my daughter,
limbs spread on the water,
trusting it will hold her.
Find out more about/purchase
Ten Thousand Cicadas Can't Be Wrong
WordPlay Now! Writing Prompt
This is WordPlay—so why not revel in the power and potential of one good word after another? This week, it's “trust.”
PROMPT:
Write about one or more times when you, or one of your characters, found yourself caught between fear and trust. When has fear won out? When has trust triumphed? What led to the outcome?
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.
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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