A double helping of poetry and notes
On what I did (and did not do) over the holiday break, and writing 30 poems in November, including some that were not about Sarah.
Welcome back to The Life of H: Sarah, Reimagined, where I explore the story of the biblical matriarch through poetry and a poet’s prose.
I took a break last week for the Thanksgiving holiday. So today’s post includes a double-helping of poetry and notes on my process.
When I wasn’t writing I was doing this
Over my years of researching and writing The Life of H, I’ve accumulated piles of articles and notes in paper files and in various note-taking apps. Every now and then I need to rein in the chaos and corral my materials. I did an office clean-up last week and it felt great!
Clearing up my physical space also cleared the way for more creativity. Including this:
I wrote 30 Poems in November — And not all of them are about Sarah
November, for me, is Poetry Month. That’s because in my community, each year a local nonprofit that supports immigrants in our area throws down a challenge: Write 30 Poems in 30 Days to raise funds and awareness. As a result, dozens of area poets and non-poets alike, commit to writing a poem a day in November and encourage and cajole their friends to sponsor them with donations of any size.
This poetry-writing frenzy nets tens of thousands of dollars each year for the Center for New Americans to fund programs that help refugees, asylum seekers, and new immigrants learn English and pursue a path to citizenship.
As for poets like me, we write piles of poems and enjoy being part of a truly worthy endeavor.
This year, my brother who always encourages my writing, asked:
Are all 30 poems going to be about Sarah? Or will you take on other topics, too?
Perhaps I was only imagining the glimmer of hope in his voice as he inquired about me widening my scope.
As those of you who read this publication know, I freely admit to being obsessed with the Sarah-Abraham-Hagar story.
But, I did write about other topics, too. Here’s how the 30 poems I wrote in November break down according to theme:
It’s not too late to contribute to the 30 poems fundraiser. Every dollar makes a difference. You can donate here.
Sarah Poems are going public
Not one but two of my poems about Sarah were published this month.
POEM #1: I'm honored to have my poem “Dramatis Personae” included in volume 7 of Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality and the Arts. You can read it here. (Click “Read the Publication” and then go to page 78.)
Also included is work by literary luminaries such as Marge Piercy and many other inspiring poets whose work I've just recently been introduced to.
You can also read the story behind the poem and hear me read it aloud here:
POEM #2: My poem “The Miracle of Oil,” which I wrote during the 30 Poems in November challenge, was published on Ritualwell, a wonderful resource that publishes poems about Jewish prayer, ritual, and sacred moments. You can read it here.
Now it’s your turn to write: Join a workshop and dream and write with others
✏️ Dreaming on the Page Writing Circle Tues., Dec. 12, 11-1:30 US ET.
Discover how the subconscious can serve your writing (in any genre–and for writers at all levels), and receive dream-inspired prompts to spark original, authentic writing. Accessible pricing: Standard $45; Low/Limited Income/ $25; Angel Price $65.
✏️ Stay (Cozy) at Home and Write: A Weekend Retreat Online, Friday-Sunday Jan. 19-21 2024.
In this low-cost Write-at-Home retreat, you’ll receive optional writing prompts, structured writing time, virtual check-ins, and the opportunity to write and share your work with an online community. Accessible pricing: Standard $55; Low/Fixed Income $25; Angel Price $75. Learn more or Join Stay (Cozy) at Home and Write.
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