eScribir · April 4, 2021
Even when poetry does not reflect the poet's direct experience, it is still filtered through her or his eyes. Both poem and poet are inextricably connected; one cannot exist without the other." —Mary Diane Hausman
In This Issue:
- No Bones About It
- Natalie Goldberg's Three Simple Lines
- Growing Poetree Playbook
- Why Poetry for Difficult Times?
- A Primer in Poetry Writing
- Poetry: Exploration and Experience
- Calliope: Invoking the Muse of Epic Poetry
No Bones About It
Happy Spring! Do you notice the new life sprouting around you? I captured these pink buds peaking out into existence. Aren't they exquisite?
Widely-acclaimed author Natalie Goldberg relates an intriguing experience she had as a participant in a writing group that met once a month at the local library. She didn't lead the group, rather, she took her seat at the table with everyone else, notebook-in-hand.
The way she tells the story, it's not clear if the other participants know she's a writing teacher and successful author of over a dozen books, including the ground-breaking Writing Down the Bones, which revolutionized the way we practice writing. Yes, in a seeming Undercover Boss style, Goldberg blends right in among the students because she is there to learn.
I love the lesson here: Goldberg's openness to allowing others to freely critique her work so she can learn reflects the wisdom of every great teacher: always a student.
Can you imagine sitting across the table from not-knowing-it's Natalie Goldberg, giving her writing advice?
I love how springtime pulls us back into the natural cycles of new growth. In the Midwest, the brown dormancy of winter is quickly transforming into greener pastures and budding potentials. Yes, there is poetry in motion happening here, which makes the perfect segue into the theme of this issue.
This month, we are celebrating some brand new features from Natalie Goldberg from her latest book, Three Simple Lines. Peppered around that are some inspiring poetry features by author Roger Housden, writing teacher Mary Diane Hausman, and one of Creativity Portal's most prolific muses, Molly Anderson.
Today is also my birthday, and so I have a fun poetry-related gift for you. Keep going to unwrap it.
Spring forth!
Chris Dunmire
Natalie Goldberg's 'Three Simple Lines'
Goldberg is still learning and teaching. Her 15th book, Three Simple Lines is about her 'Pilgrimage into the Heart and Homeland of Haiku' which she intended to be the third and last in her cancer trilogy.
Enjoy Creativity Portal's mini-series around Three Simple Lines, featuring two excerpts and a Q&A with Goldberg about why people love haiku, history about famous writing masters, and details about her pilgrimage into the heart and homeland of haiku.
Growing Poetree Playbook & Journal
Poetry writing offers a tremendous creative outlet for personal expression that cuts right to the core and connects us with others in ways we might never anticipate.
Springtime opens wonderful space to start nurturing new creative growth. Would you like to begin planting some new creative seeds and cultivation in your writing? Chris Dunmire's new Growing Poetree Playbook & Journal is just for you!
More Poetic Persuasions
Why Poetry for Difficult Times?
Author Roger Housden says poetry can make a difference during difficult times because at its best poetry calls forth our deep Being, bids us to live by its promptings and dares us to break free from the safe strategies of the cautious mind, from our default attitudes and beliefs.
A Primer in Poetry Writing
Haikus, calligrams, and acrostic poems may be a mystery to you, so put your thinking cap on, and grab your magnifying glass to explore the technical aspects of poetry writing with Molly Anderson.
Poetry: Exploration and Experience
Are you ready to abandon your poems? Before you toss your newest poem away, writing teacher Mary Diane Hausman invites you to revisit it using some exercises that have proven helpful to poets who are feeling "stuck."
In Praise of Calliope: Invoking the Muse of Epic Poetry
Join Molly Anderson in connecting with the ancient Athenian muse Calliope. She says creating an epic poem is a deep dive into the unknown, and you never know, when you begin, how it will all end.
©2021 Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.