Have you ever written poetry? Do you believe, as I did, that your muse has abandoned you? A prolific writer in my teens and twenties, I had all but given up on my writing until a chance encounter with Victoria area poet, Wendy Morton, at Planet Earth Poetry.
Wendy Morton in her garden Photo: Deddeda Stemler provided by Wendy
For years I carried words that I attributed to Wendy in my daytimer, and while attending an evening poetry reading in 2009, finally had the opportunity to introduce myself. Our conversation turned to my erstwhile muse, and Wendy insisted that “anyone can write poetry”. Based on her encouragement, soon after, I found myself on the road to Sooke to attend a day long workshop at her residence. Participants walked along the seashore, strolled in the garden, and teased the words from their souls. I could write again!
Wendy is best known for founding Random Acts of Poetry (a day where poets stroll their cities and “poem” unsuspecting passersby), and being WestJet’s “Poet of the Skies” but for me she will ever be the cheerleader, an excellent example of how to live your life by “just saying yes”.
If you too would like to tease the words from your soul, Wendy is teaching a workshop “Finding The Poem in Your Heart’s Garden” at Royal Roads University on Saturday February 4th. Perhaps it could be an early Valentine’s Day gift to yourself, or a loved one.
Wendy Morton believes that poetry is the shortest distance between hearts. She has five books of poetry, and a memoir, Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast, in which her adventures as a corporate sponsored poet are revealed. Her latest book of poetry,What Were Their Dreams, is a book of photo-poems of Canada’s history.She is the founder of Canada’s Random Acts of Poetry and is the recipient of the 2010 Spirit Bear Award and the Golden Beret Award. For her day job, she has been an insurance investigator for the last 28 years. She lives in Sooke, B.C. and is a raven watcher. From Planet Earth Poetry website.
Length: 3 hours
Times: 1pm – 4pm
Cost: $65 + applicable taxes
Best to Register By: Sat, Jan 21, 2012
“When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.”
attributed to both: Edward Teller and Patrick Overton
Wendy may not have written these words, but she most certainly lives them!
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[…] passion for the form, both written and spoken. You can read more about our initial chance meeting here.Wendy Morton in her garden Photo: Deddeda Stemler provided by […]