Another Year, Oh My: Celebrating
Two Years of Blue Atlas profiles, stories, and more~
Is it wildly obvious that blue is my favorite color? I’ve recently learned that it’s scientifically proven that the color blue lifts one’s mood. I’ve just ordered the book Blue Mind by Wallace Nichols to learn more. Wallace’s focus is on blue water, but since I walk the shoreline where I live nearly everyday, I think that’s probably relevant, too. All I know is that the calm and peace the color offers me is real.
No wonder my most recent book is Blue Atlas (Red Hen Press) has blue in the title or that the swag bags for Poets on the Coast: A Writing Retreat for Women are also, blue.
It used to embarrass me that I had such an affinity to one color above all others, but not now.
Not being embarrassed anymore is one of the greatest gifts of growing older. Creating space in the world for others to walk through is another. Almost exactly, fifteen years ago, my good friend Kelli Russell Agodon and I dreamed-up the idea for a poetry retreat for women and Poets on the Coast: A Weekend Writing Retreat for Women was born over a glass of wine, sitting by a roaring fire.
We had both taught at several conferences that featured a less than nurturing atmosphere: our class meeting in a small inside stairwell, an unheated windowless room, and the list goes on. Kelli and I decided, at our writing retreat everyone would feel cared for and seen. There would be swag bags full of new poetry books and everyone would enjoy a one-on-one conference at no extra charge. Did I mention plenty of free snacks?
Over the years, we moved from Florence, Oregon, to La Connor, Washington. A number of years ago we started inviting guest faculty which have included Elizabeth Austen, Jessica Gigot, Claudia Castro Luna, Michele Bombardier, January Gill O’Neil, Rena Priest, Maggie Smith, Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, and Jane Wong.
This year writer-naturalist Elizabeth Bradfield and poet Susan Landgraf will join me on the theme of wonderment and joy. What could be better? We still have places available although we are now past half full. Every year we attract the perfect mix of experienced and exploratory poets; local and national participants. Please consider giving yourself the gift of poetry, community, and even a visit to an art museum at Poets on the Coast 2025. Registration increases after January 1st and space is limited.
When I began writing here two years ago, I had little idea where my words would lead me. It’s been nothing but pleasure to share with you my memories of Eavan Boland, Lucille Clifton, Seamus Heaney, Denise Levertov, W.S. Merwin, Mary Oliver, Linda Pastan, Anne Sexton, Adrienne Rich, Derek Walcott and many more 20th century poetry giants.
May you each have a holiday filled with wonderment and peace. Thank you so much for being here.
See you soon.