Friday, August 7, 2009

Everything


I love this poem by Mary Oliver. It inspires me to write poetry! cw

Everything

I want to make poems that say right out, plainly,
what I mean, that don't go looking for the
laces of elaboration, puffed sleeves. I want to
keep close and use often words like
heavy, heart, joy, soon, and to cherish
the question mark and her bold sister

the dash. I want to write with quiet hands. I
want to write while crossing the fields that are
fresh with daises and everlasting and the
ordinary grass. I want to make poems while thinking of
the bread of heaven and the
cup of astonishment; let them be

songs in which nothing is neglected,
not a hope, not a promise. I want to make poems
that look into the earth and the heavens
and see the unseeable. I want them to honor
both the heart of faith, and the light of the world;
the gladness that says, without any words, everything.


~ Mary Oliver ~

(New and Selected Poems Volume Two)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

NIWP Writiing Retreat 2009

The annual NIWP Writing Retreat was moved to a new location and different week this year. We held the retreat at Camp N Sid Sen on Coeur d'Alene Lake the second week of July. Bill Woolum returned as the visiting writer and the participants immersed themselves in creating poetry, memoir, novel writing, and nonfiction. The new location was a perfect setting for retreating and writing. Between the delicious meals, the lake for swimming and boating, and the lovely lodge we had all to ourselves it was hard to leave! The Writing Retreat will be held next year July 12-16th. Watch this site or our website at www.niwp.org for information.

Reflecting On The Summer Institute 2009

I also had the priviledge to spend three of the four weeks with this amazing group of fellows at the summer institute. Every time I have been involved with the SI I come away with new teaching ideas, more wisdom, and a stronger community of writers.
We enjoyed lots of coffee, and the last week were re-energized with chocolate.
We also had some fine Friday feasts!
Many meaningful discussions were held. Here Mercedes and Timothy are designing a rubric for a muffin.
At the end everyone was still smiling!