"After A-bomb dropping, all the trees and grass were burned. In the atomic ruins one tree sprouted. Green, green leaves. People were encouraged to survive." Yasuhiko Shigemoto from the film, "The Poetry of Resilience"
Finally, I come to the end of what I lovingly, tongue in cheek, call my book tour. The time for retreat was over and the time to participate in the Asheville Wordfest had arrived. The first evening I attended a documentary called "The Day Carl Sandburg Died" by Asheville film-maker, Paul Bonesteel. The film was a great way to start Wordfest. I was, of course, familiar with Sandburg's work. I had visited his last home, Connamera, in Flat Rock, NC many times when I lived in Asheville. It's a beautiful spot for contemplation, reading poetry, writing.
Yet, when I watched the film, I realized how little I really knew about the man, the poet, the activist who was in many ways, a more modern version of Walt Whitman. He wrote and fought for the working man all his life. His love for the everyday American trying to get by through two World Wars and the Depression was evident in Bonesteel's film and the poetry and words that he used to highlight Sandburg and his work. It was a fine way to start a NC poetry festival. I recommend "The Day Carl Sandburg Died" to everyone who has loved his poetry and books, or wants to familiarize themselves with how poets are a necessary part of the change that needs to continue happening in America; indeed, in the world.
On Wednesday, I was delighted to hear my friend and fellow poet (and musician) Keith Flynn play with his Holy Men at a reception for the arriving poets and writers. He and Quincy Troupe perform in a combination of wonderfully wild music and poetry that is a delight to sit back and enjoy. Keith is also editor of the Asheville Poetry Review and has several incredible books of poetry published, as well as CD's available to the public.
Thursday night's feature was another film called "The Poetry of Resilience." These poets were true survivors: of the Holocaust, of Rwanda, China, and the Middle East, including Iran and Iraq. Exiles from their own countries, these brave poets write of their time in prison, of the incredible losses they have suffered and survived, of their need to write, read, and tell their stories in hopes that those listening will help them change the brutality of a world and her peoples constantly at war. This was both a disturbing and inspiring film; not for the faint of heart but made for hearts with the courage to speak out against oppression and needless aggression. Academy award-nominated, "Poetry of Resilience" is a film for all peacemakers and poets and should not be missed.
(Poets, writers, friends: Mendy Knott, Jan (Redboots) Barnett, Britt Kaufmann, Kam Parker.)
Friday night features included Brian Turner, author of "Here, Bullet," his book of poems that includes one entitled "The Hurt Locker" from which the film took its name. Holly Iglesius and Paul Guest were also featured readers. Saturday was devoted to creativity in families and they gathered near Pack Square and at Spellbound Children's Bookshop to write and paint, scavenger hunt and poetry slam. That night at the YMI Cultural Center, world-renowned poet, Linda Hogan took the stage. There were many more poets, youth slams, and open mic readings; too many for me to attend them all. It's a jam-packed event and almost everything, and I mean everything except the films, was free and open to the public.
It's a beautiful event in a beautiful part of the country filled with fabulous poets and people who care about the Earth, about peace, about nature and kids and truth and justice. You can easily plan your spring vacation getaway around the Asheville Wordfest and you won't go wrong. One day, I hope to be invited back as a participant, but until then I will plan my visits around these 5 days and nights of inspiration and celebration. Go to www.Ashevillewordfest.com to learn more about this event.
On Wednesday, I was delighted to hear my friend and fellow poet (and musician) Keith Flynn play with his Holy Men at a reception for the arriving poets and writers. He and Quincy Troupe perform in a combination of wonderfully wild music and poetry that is a delight to sit back and enjoy. Keith is also editor of the Asheville Poetry Review and has several incredible books of poetry published, as well as CD's available to the public.
Thursday night's feature was another film called "The Poetry of Resilience." These poets were true survivors: of the Holocaust, of Rwanda, China, and the Middle East, including Iran and Iraq. Exiles from their own countries, these brave poets write of their time in prison, of the incredible losses they have suffered and survived, of their need to write, read, and tell their stories in hopes that those listening will help them change the brutality of a world and her peoples constantly at war. This was both a disturbing and inspiring film; not for the faint of heart but made for hearts with the courage to speak out against oppression and needless aggression. Academy award-nominated, "Poetry of Resilience" is a film for all peacemakers and poets and should not be missed.
(Poets, writers, friends: Mendy Knott, Jan (Redboots) Barnett, Britt Kaufmann, Kam Parker.)I read on Friday alongside my friend, Britt Kauffman, who had graciously taken my place as host of Eve's Night Out, an open mic celebrating women's voices, when I left WNC for Arkansas. Britt's new chapbook, "Belonging," is beautifully written and is a heart opening journey through motherhood, childhood, and gardens. I highly recommend it.
A young poet named Luke Hankins shared the stage, as well. His poetry was some of the most thought-provoking I had heard in a long time. The poetry speaks of personal struggle with God and the understanding of God expressed in language I've certainly never heard a young man deliver with such doubt and joy in spirituality. I felt as if I'd been in prayer for 30 minutes, in the presence of a troubled, yet holy monk. Beautiful!
My reading went well, and I saw many writing friends I had not seen in ages. It was a reunion of poets and writers, lovers of the word and peaceful activists for change. They understood the word "resilience" and in fact, practiced it in their own lives as well as in their work. I felt so grateful and honored to be a part, to have been invited to participate by the beautiful, determined poetic soul that is Laura Hope-Gill, the woman who initiated and runs the Asheville Wordfest. I was welcomed and even thanked for the part I had played in jump-starting the creative spirit in some of the writers present. Nothing feels better than that kind of praise because its value is so visible in the faces and words of those women who share their hearts' work with their communities.
A young poet named Luke Hankins shared the stage, as well. His poetry was some of the most thought-provoking I had heard in a long time. The poetry speaks of personal struggle with God and the understanding of God expressed in language I've certainly never heard a young man deliver with such doubt and joy in spirituality. I felt as if I'd been in prayer for 30 minutes, in the presence of a troubled, yet holy monk. Beautiful!
My reading went well, and I saw many writing friends I had not seen in ages. It was a reunion of poets and writers, lovers of the word and peaceful activists for change. They understood the word "resilience" and in fact, practiced it in their own lives as well as in their work. I felt so grateful and honored to be a part, to have been invited to participate by the beautiful, determined poetic soul that is Laura Hope-Gill, the woman who initiated and runs the Asheville Wordfest. I was welcomed and even thanked for the part I had played in jump-starting the creative spirit in some of the writers present. Nothing feels better than that kind of praise because its value is so visible in the faces and words of those women who share their hearts' work with their communities.
Friday night features included Brian Turner, author of "Here, Bullet," his book of poems that includes one entitled "The Hurt Locker" from which the film took its name. Holly Iglesius and Paul Guest were also featured readers. Saturday was devoted to creativity in families and they gathered near Pack Square and at Spellbound Children's Bookshop to write and paint, scavenger hunt and poetry slam. That night at the YMI Cultural Center, world-renowned poet, Linda Hogan took the stage. There were many more poets, youth slams, and open mic readings; too many for me to attend them all. It's a jam-packed event and almost everything, and I mean everything except the films, was free and open to the public.
It's a beautiful event in a beautiful part of the country filled with fabulous poets and people who care about the Earth, about peace, about nature and kids and truth and justice. You can easily plan your spring vacation getaway around the Asheville Wordfest and you won't go wrong. One day, I hope to be invited back as a participant, but until then I will plan my visits around these 5 days and nights of inspiration and celebration. Go to www.Ashevillewordfest.com to learn more about this event.
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