THE JOURNEY FROM THE CENTER TO THE PAGE

WORKSHOP

at the BLOCK ISLAND POETRY PROJECT

on Block Island, Rhode Island

April 17-20 (Thurs.-Sun.)

with JEFF DAVIS

This journey begins with your deep intention. From that space, you will feel the lyrical pulse in your body and breath and on the page. We will access deep images, follow intuitive impulses, respond to sound vibrations, and interact with one another as possible sources for authentic poetry. The Journey from the Center to the Page engages participants with an effortless mix of experiential lecture & dialogue, direct experiences, and safe sharing sessions of participant writing. Upon returning home, participants can opt to continue gaining support on their journey through an on-line Yoga As Muse group.

SESSION 1: THE HOLY LONGING

And so long as you haven't experienced
this: to die and so to grow,
you are only a troubled guest
on the dark earth.

- Goethe, "The Holy Longing"

Listen long enough and deeply enough, and you hear the voices of longing that permeate this planet. Our journey begins by listening and perchance seeing with our hearts the myriad shapes of longing, yearning, desire. With poems by Theodore Roethke and Jane Hirshfield as our springing-board, a simple process - center, set a deep intention, listen - will proffer us an invitation to write a poem of holy longing.

SESSION 2*: SERENDIPITOUS VISION

This session will free our imaginations from writing with force or will. A playful process called Serendipitous Vision puts us in pairs, connects us to the physical world, & asks us to surrender part of the creative process to another poet as well as to chance or serendipity. Weather permitting, the process will take us outdoors.

SESSION 3*: CRACKS & SLANTS

 A crack creates space, sometimes just enough for some slant of light to sneak in. This session asks us to tend to those cracks where some vibration, image, voice, or phrase can slip in and both charge and change a poem. Poets are encouraged - but not required - to bring with them one of their existing poems that they sense "needs a crack," needs "something" to allow the poem's heart to emerge.  We will practice two creative processes - one with Yoga movement, the other in Yoga stillness - to invite some cracking open.

SESSION 4*: PLAYING CATCH, CENTER TO CENTER

 Catch only what you've thrown yourself
and all is mere skill and little gain.

- Rilke

Kumari, Sanskrit describes the innate propensity to play that pervades all collections of atoms and cells. It's the dynamic energy of what happens when we're moving and speaking and creating in the springtime, moment to moment to moment. This closing session invites you to play. Yes, we will play catch, balls and all. And we will create poems in the moment, possibly co-created. It's you and the world playing on this one big ball called earth. Be open to surprise.

* During sessions 2, 3, and 4, participants also will have the option to work with poet Jen Lighty in her "Authentic Voice, Authentic Truth" workshops.

  On one evening Jeff and Jen will offer readings followed by an Open Mic to participants and the whole Block Island community.

Join Jeff on this charming island - the more down-to-earth of the 'resort islands': Block Island.  

 $195 for the workshops; Rooms $50-140/night

Meal plans also available.

Lisa Starr is the BIPP Director and steward of the Hygeia House B & B that hosts the project as well.  The Hygeia House and the BIPP are at Beach Avenue, Block Island, RI 02807.  When you arrive by ferry, someone from BIPP will gladly pick you up and bring you to the Hygeia House.

From the BIPP website: "Block Island is a real island, 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, and is accessible only by ferry (from Point Judith, RI) or plane (from Westerly, RI). For ferry rates and schedule call 401-783-4613, for flight info. Call 401-596-2460.

* Workshops begin on Thursday evening at 7p.m. and conclude Sunday at 10:30 a.m., so plan your travel accordingly."

click on Rates & Info

and fill out the online form.

Center to Page, LLC MOVING WRITERS FROM THE CENTER TO THE PAGE
156 Upper Whitfield Rd.
Accord, NY 12404
845.679.9441
info@centertopage.com
www.centertopage.com