Big Forest Uta-kai (poetry party) returns to Larchmere Abide in March! 

Spring is the season of growth, but what I always forget is that growth means change.  The daffodil bulb turns into roots and stem and bud, and the bud eventually into bright flower mimicking the new sun in the sky.  Winter can feel like one endless gray day, so when spring’s unpredictability comes—one day the snowdrops are flowers bunched up under old leaves, another day the snow is coming out of the sky and blanketing new blooms—the sudden changes can bring a maddening excitement.  Hares in England know this excitement all too well, going “mad” in March by jumping straight up in the air, or springing onto their hind legs and squaring up each other to “box.”  

We’ll celebrate our own wild hearts on the last day of this month of madness with the rebirth of Big Forest Utakai (poetry party) at Abide Larchmere.  The form of poetry we will write, Gogyohka, celebrates the freedom in being a little off kilter, in surprising the pen with what the human experience has to offer.  What’s more liberating than not knowing what will come next, what will come out of you, what moments and thoughts and feelings that have been stored for how many seasons and suddenly sprout onto paper?

Let’s refresh our hearts with little songs that could be wishes, could be reminders, could be anything, as long as the lines come from you. This is the time of possibility—a time to return to a poetic practice or start a new one. Join us as we come back together for the beautiful communal making we call Uta-kai!

***

No experience reading or writing is required. Please bring paper and a pen or pencil with you. This is not a poetry workshop. No critical evaluation of your poetry will take place.  A heart cannot be questioned, only encouraged.

Light meal, good times, an embodiment practice, writing gogyohka, and optional sharing. Gogyohka Uta-Kai is super fun!

Sliding Scale 20/25/30