Susan Rich's Blog, page 55

Registration Now Open for Speaking Pictures: A Poetry Workshop Concerning Art

The doorway to Anam Cara Writers and Artists Retreat
Anam Cara - in West Cork, Ireland has invited me to teach a week long writing workshop

Speaking Pictures: A Poetry Workshop Concerning Art. August 4 - 11,  2012.
Here is the overview of what we'll do --- and soon there will be a day by day schedule available.


Speaking in Pictures: A Poetry Workshop Concerning Art

     The question is not what you look at, but what you see.
—Henry Thoreau

 Poetry and painting are sister arts according to the Greeks. It's a natural collaboration to focus on ekphrastic poetry. Ekphrastic poetry simply refers to our poems inspired by visual images. Together, we will discuss traditional and experimental models of the form by Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Hayden, Lisel Mueller and Rainier Maria Rilke; study recent examples by contemporary poets, and sharpen our powers of observation and description. Finally, through a series of provocative exercises, we will write our own poems on a variety of works of art. For the purposes of this workshop, art includes sculpture, collage, architecture and the natural world. All levels of writers are welcome — from beginners to very advanced practitioners. 

"Excellent delivery of info and preparation of materials.  You established such a safe learning environment, which really helped the ability to learn and enjoy the experience.  This was an exceptionally helpful program!"  ~ Cindy S.

   "I truly appreciate what you do to nurture other poets. This is truly one of the best retreats I have been on." Angie V.

 "Thank you for providing this life-changing opportunity.   Your generosity and enthusiastic interest has been such a blessing for me…You have given me a great gift–the courage to say what I am, and more importantly, to *live* what I am– a writer. "  ~ Kelley H.

          Testimonials (from Poets on the Coast taught with Kelli Agodon)

Susan Rich is the author of three collections of poetry, The Alchemist's Kitchen (2010) which was named a finalist for The Foreword Prize and the Washington State Book Award, Cures Include Travel (2006), and The Cartographer's Tongue / Poems of the World (2000) which won the PEN USA Award for Poetry. She has received awards The Times Literary Supplement of London, Peace Corps Writers and the Fulbright Foundation. Her featured appearances include the Cuirt Literary Festival in Galway, Ireland and the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia. Recent poems have been published in the Harvard Review, Poetry Ireland, The Southern Review and the New England Review. Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts; Susan now makes her home in Seattle, WA.

Coming Attraction: Teaching in Ireland in August - Want to Come Along?

Outside the window at Anam Cara

This is just a preview for my upcoming announcement of a week long workshop at Anam Cara  - a writer and artist retreat in Eyeries -- a small village in the West of Ireland. I discovered this magical place on a retreat last summer and this year I'm thrilled to be invited back to teach a workshop on poetry and art.

More information on this wonderful retreat available at Anam Cara.

Would You Like a Curvy Sofa for Valentine's Day? - Something Different...

This sofa is looking for a new homeI love this sofa -- it's a retro style with two back and two side pieces that can be easily removed so that the entire piece converts into an extra guest bed. The side table on the right is wood and can be removed for a second arm piece. Even its silver legs are kind of cute. If you are in need of a new (gently used - not new) sofa, feel free to leave me your email. I'd be happy to tell you more or send more photos. Many a poem has been written here, I'd love to see it go to a good home! Just leave a message below or email me directly. I'll post again when its gone!

Meet New Washington State Poet Laureate, Kathleen Flenniken

Washington Poet Laureate, Kathleen Flenniken

This Just In:

My dear, dear, friend and fabulous poet,
Kathleen Flenniken has just been selected as the new Washington State Poet Laureate. You can read more about Kathleen and the Poet Laureate positon at Humanities Washington.

Kathleen describes the job as her "dream position" and I believe she is the dream poet to make the experience of hearing a poet for the first time magical for thousands of Washingtonians.

Congratulations, Kathleen!!!

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Bishop!

Elizabeth Bishop When I first began writing again after a ten year hiatus, I wrote a poem about maps. "You should read Elizabeth Bishop's "The Map" " my teacher at the time advised. I did. And then I went on to read every other poem, story, essay, and letter that I could find. I took Ms. Bishop on as my dead mentor. I admired not only the incredible poems --- born of observation and a hidden self --- but also a life lived outside the confines of the American poetry establishment. How did she manage to be an insider and an outside all at once I wondered?

Elizabeth Bishop at Vassar CollegePerhaps this two-way status began with Bishop loosing both parents at a very young age and being shuffled between grandparents -- one set in Canada -- the other in New England. Bishop's childhood home in Nova Scotia has been preserved and for the last year the Elizabeth Bishop Society of Nova Scotia has been celebrating Bishop's centennial with a conference, readings, and festival banners.  Nova Scotia is where Bishop seems to have been happiest -- at least as a child. After her father died and her mother was committed to a sanatarium, Bishop was sent to live with her grandparents in Worcester, Massachusetts. This arrangement did not please her, but it did bring her into society.

Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell

What I want to say is this: Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Bishop! Thank you for showing me an alternative way to be a poet in the world, for forming deep lifelong friendships with other poets and for caring about language and observation above all. Bishop spent six months teaching at the University of Washington and living in the University District at an apartment building that still exists today called The Brooklyn. At a time in my life when I needed a poet to follow, a woman poet who had lived outside the conventional East Coast society, Bishop was my choice; she has yet to disappoint. 

Looking Good at 200; Happy Birthday Mr. Dickens! (1 Day Late)

Happy Birthday Charles Dickens
I miss writing long letters to friends on light blue paper -- paper that could tear at the drop of a pen tip. Perhaps this is why I appreciate the web site Letters of Note so much. If you don't know it yet, here's your chance. Each week a different letter is rescued from obscurity: the handwritten piece next to a word-processed one. I've read letters from David Bowie, Steven Hawking,  and a freed slave --- to name a few.

Below is the beginning of a letter written from Charles Dickens to the daughter of a close friend. I love the sweetness here juxtaposed with the foreboding of his upcoming "dreary voyage to America;" everything I've read about this man over the last few weeks makes me wish that I could have known him and in a way we all can --- through his books --- still alive after almost 200 years.

Dec. 16th. 1841

My dear Mary,

I should be delighted to come and dine with you on your birthday and be as merry as I wish you to be always; but as I am going within a few days afterward, a very long distance from home, and shall not see any of my children for six long months, I have made up my mind to pass all that week at home for their sakes; just as you would like your papa and mamma to spend all the time they could possibly spare with you, if they were about to make a dreary voyage to America; which is what I am going to do myself.  Read on here.

Looking Good at 200; Happy Birthday Mr. Dickens!

Happy Birthday Charles Dickens
I miss writing long letters to friends on light blue paper -- paper that could tear at the drop of a pen tip. Perhaps this is why I appreciate the web site Letters of Note so much. If you don't know it yet, here's your chance. Each week a different letter is rescued from obscurity: the handwritten piece next to a word-processed one. I've read letters from David Bowie, Steven Hawking,  and a freed slave --- to name a few.

Below is the beginning of a letter written from Charles Dickens to the daughter of a close friend. I love the sweetness here juxtaposed with the foreboding of his upcoming "dreary voyage to America;" everything I've read about this man over the last few weeks makes me wish that I could have known him and in a way we all can --- through his books --- still alive after almost 200 years.

Dec. 16th. 1841

My dear Mary,

I should be delighted to come and dine with you on your birthday and be as merry as I wish you to be always; but as I am going within a few days afterward, a very long distance from home, and shall not see any of my children for six long months, I have made up my mind to pass all that week at home for their sakes; just as you would like your papa and mamma to spend all the time they could possibly spare with you, if they were about to make a dreary voyage to America; which is what I am going to do myself.  Read on here.

7 Things that I Loved about The Search For Meaning - Festival of the Book

The Search for Meaning Book Festival

I've just returned from Seattle University where I attended and participated in an amazing event. I've been to literally dozens and dozens of literary festivals both in the United States and in Ireland, this has to be one of the best run and with an enormously positive vibe. I was surprised to hear that 2,500 people came out to hear a poet, a living poet, Mary Oliver  read her work.

Here are a few things I was most struck by during the course of the day.

1. 60+ people came to my session; standing room only! On a sunny, warm, Seattle afternoon, a crowd came out to write poetry and listen to my ideas on the need for solitude -- and society.

2. The juxtaposition of literature and spirituality is simply delicious.


3. Being spontaneous --- after lots of planning --- works well. After attending the lovely session with Francis McCue and then Mary Oliver's reading, I decided to toss out what I originally planned and instead focus on writing and braiding in new ideas I'm developing about poetry. Besides, I didn't bring enough handouts!


4. The Search for Meaning Book Festival is Seattle's best kept literary secret. I plan to be part of this amazing weekend next year too --- either as a presenter or participant -- or both.


5. How amazing it was to run into successful former students Elizabeth B. and Patsy M. These two super intelligent and large hearted women were my students at Highline Community College several years ago and they are now on their way to completing their BA's --- Elizabeth is attending S.U. and loving the experience.


6. Poets and non-poets alike crave community. One participant said to me, "I'm so glad I took a day for myself to do this." Another participant wanted our session turned into a three hour event. This festival clearly answered a real desire for people to come together over books and ideas.


7.  Never underestimate the power of a few dedicated people to create something amazing. This was  the third year of this event and each year it has doubled in size. This is in no small part due to the dedication of dozens of volunteers and a handful of staff people. Most of all, it seems the culture of Seattle University is a magical one. 

Murder Mystery - for Your Listening Pleasure; Katharine Whitcomb

 I love starting my morning with a good poem. In our crazy full lives, listening to a poem on the radio (or the computer) feels like modern day manna to me.

Here's Elizabeth Austen introducing Katharine Whitcomb's poem Murder Mystery. I love the poem's play with narrative and the way it tells the story of a life. I picture the speaker moving through quiet streets of a small town --- porch lights, dogs (or no dogs) and that damn swing.

Katharine Whitcomb is a poet whose work I admire; I think you will too. I met Katharine when we selected her book, which I simply adore,  Lamp of Letters, for the Floating Bridge Press Prize. She is certain to have another book soon.

Search for Meaning Book Festival at Seattle University this Saturday

This Saturday, February 4th, is the Search for Meaning Book Festival at Seattle University. I'll be speaking and reading about "Your Own Private Walden: Poetry and Power." Other writers include Francis McCue, Deborah Jarvis, and David Gutterson. There are literally dozens and dozens of presentations to choose from. You can find out more about the event right here in this article in today's Seattle Times.

In other news, Richard Hugo House has a new director: Tree Swenson. Swenson is co-founder of Copper Canyon Press and (according to the Times) was also a friend of Richard Hugo.

If one needs to search for meaning in life, Seattle seems a very good place to conduct such research.