Let's Have A Poetry Meet Up!!   

It Is POETRY MONTH!

Wednesday April 13

3-5 pm

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church

28005 Robinson Canyon Road, Carmel Valley

We will meet near the Labyrinth (they do have a restroom)

Bring poems that feel important to you now. Bring poems you wrote! Bring poetry to share.

Hope to see you there! Email me with any questions.

“When I began to listen to poetry, it’s when I began to listen to the stones, and I began to listen to what the clouds had to say, and I began to listen to others. And I think, most importantly for all of us, then you begin to learn to listen to the soul, the soul of yourself in here, which is also the soul of everyone else.”

 — Joy Harjo

Poetry Meetup   

LET'S SHARE POETRY IN PERSON OUTSIDE WHILE THE WEATHER IS GOOD

We will gather outside to share poetry - from our favorite poets - or even our own poetry. This is not a critique session. This is just a time to share poetry aloud with each other. We will be outside and will follow COVID-19 protocol.

We will meet at the Jeffers Plaza near the Robinson Jeffers 3 bronze plaques. I will make sure there are some signs pointing the way. It is directly behind the Conference Center and right in front of some of the Portola Hotel rooms - to the left of the main entrance of the hotel.

Email me with any questions.

I will find my accounting where the alder leaf quivers

In the ocean wind over the river boulders.

I will touch things and things and no more thoughts…

 — Robinson Jeffers from ‘Return’

Poetry Meetup   

LET'S SHARE POETRY IN PERSON OUTSIDE WHILE THE WEATHER IS GOOD

We will gather outside to share poetry - from our favorite poets - or even our own poetry. This is not a critique session. This is just a time to share poetry aloud with each other. We will be outside and will follow COVID-19 protocol.

We will meet at the Jeffers Plaza near the Robinson Jeffers 3 bronze plaques. I will make sure there are some signs pointing the way. It is directly behind the Conference Center and right in front of some of the Portola Hotel rooms - to the left of the main entrance of the hotel.

Email me with any questions.

p.s. Mark your calendar we will do another MeetUp on October 17 from 3-4:30pm at the Jeffers Plaza again!

I will find my accounting where the alder leaf quivers

In the ocean wind over the river boulders.

I will touch things and things and no more thoughts…

 — Robinson Jeffers from ‘Return’

Poetry Meetup   

Ah summer! And we are moving around. Let's get together for a Meetup.

A casual gathering to speak and share poems. Bring poems written by your favorite poets or even your own to share. I will have poem cards and a few books too. I will not be doing a Zoom for this Meetup.

We will meet in Carmel, downstairs in the Carmel Plaza in the seating area near the Cheese Shop and the Carmel Alvarado Brewery. Join us!

Please RSVP: hooplapoetry12@gmail.com to attend

Poetry Meetup   

Poetry Meetup - Possibly in Person! If not we will Zoom.

Join me for an easy, casual gathering of poetry. Stay for as long or as little as you can. Please, bring a poem or two that is speaking to you. 

This is a lovely time to share poems that are calling to us right now.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the details the day before we meet.

No fee.

Outside, the windchimes are whipping against the branches.
A slice of lawn peeks out between two swaths of snow.
It’s hardly Spring, but time is advancing either way.
This new crease to my eyelids. This slight groan of my body. Nevertheless,
a solitude I’ve been craving for years. The person I hope to remember
when it ends.

 — Maya Stein from 'nevertheless'

David Whyte Series Zoom Meetups

Join me to discuss David's talks and share poems after the ‘Start Close In’ series. I would suggest we take a 30 minute break after David's talk and then do our own Zoom meetup from 11:45am-12:45pm PST.

Zoom Meetups After David Whyte ‘Start Close In’ Series

Jan 10, 17, 24

11:45am - 12:45pm PST

Looking forward to reconnecting in conversation and in poems! Bring some to share.

Any questions just email me.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link before we meet.

— Laura

"....human beings have always been called to a form of radical simplification, to returning to a true foundation from which they can step into a new life: the making of new promises and the letting go of old ones. These three sessions are a way of packing and preparing for that journey from the inside out, ready for the perils and possibilities this new year might bring."

— David Whyte

David Whyte Series | Start Close In

Hello All!

In 2014 I went to Asilomar Conference center right nearby in Pacific Grove for the first time to hear David Whyte. I have returned every year since then. Of course, except for this one! I hope you will join me in this virtual event and also find the community which we have found in the past. After David's talks let's meet in my Zoom room to catch up, find our way to the deeper conversations and share poems!

David Whyte Online Series

Start Close In

Shaping a Creative Life Equal to the Challenge of Our Time

10:00 - 11:15am PST

Sundays: January 10, 17, 24

$60 (he will discount if rate is difficult)

Sign Up https://live.davidwhyte.com/

"....human beings have always been called to a form of radical simplification, to returning to a true foundation from which they can step into a new life: the making of new promises and the letting go of old ones. These three sessions are a way of packing and preparing for that journey from the inside out, ready for the perils and possibilities this new year might bring."

— David Whyte

Join me to discuss David's talks and share poems afterwards. I would suggest we take a 30 minute break after David's talk and then do our own Zoom meeting from 11:45am-12:45pm PST.

Zoom Meetups After David Whyte

Jan 10, 17, 24

11:45am - 12:45pm PST

Looking forward to reconnecting in conversation and in poems! Bring some to share.

Any questions just email me.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link before we meet.

— Laura

David Whyte Series Zoom Meetups

Join me to discuss David's talks and share poems after the ‘Start Close In’ series. I would suggest we take a 30 minute break after David's talk and then do our own Zoom meetup from 11:45am-12:45pm PST.

Zoom Meetups After David Whyte ‘Start Close In’ Series

Jan 10, 17, 24

11:45am - 12:45pm PST

Looking forward to reconnecting in conversation and in poems! Bring some to share.

Any questions just email me.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link before we meet.

— Laura

"....human beings have always been called to a form of radical simplification, to returning to a true foundation from which they can step into a new life: the making of new promises and the letting go of old ones. These three sessions are a way of packing and preparing for that journey from the inside out, ready for the perils and possibilities this new year might bring."

— David Whyte

David Whyte Series | Start Close In

Hello All!

In 2014 I went to Asilomar Conference center right nearby in Pacific Grove for the first time to hear David Whyte. I have returned every year since then. Of course, except for this one! I hope you will join me in this virtual event and also find the community which we have found in the past. After David's talks let's meet in my Zoom room to catch up, find our way to the deeper conversations and share poems!

David Whyte Online Series

Start Close In

Shaping a Creative Life Equal to the Challenge of Our Time

10:00 - 11:15am PST

Sundays: January 10, 17, 24

$60 (he will discount if rate is difficult)

Sign Up https://live.davidwhyte.com/

"....human beings have always been called to a form of radical simplification, to returning to a true foundation from which they can step into a new life: the making of new promises and the letting go of old ones. These three sessions are a way of packing and preparing for that journey from the inside out, ready for the perils and possibilities this new year might bring."

— David Whyte

Join me to discuss David's talks and share poems afterwards. I would suggest we take a 30 minute break after David's talk and then do our own Zoom meeting from 11:45am-12:45pm PST.

Zoom Meetups After David Whyte

Jan 10, 17, 24

11:45am - 12:45pm PST

Looking forward to reconnecting in conversation and in poems! Bring some to share.

Any questions just email me.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link before we meet.

— Laura

David Whyte Series Zoom Meetups

Join me to discuss David's talks and share poems after the ‘Start Close In’ series. I would suggest we take a 30 minute break after David's talk and then do our own Zoom meetup from 11:45am-12:45pm PST.

Zoom Meetups After David Whyte ‘Start Close In’ Series

Jan 10, 17, 24

11:45am - 12:45pm PST

Looking forward to reconnecting in conversation and in poems! Bring some to share.

Any questions just email me.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link before we meet.

— Laura

"....human beings have always been called to a form of radical simplification, to returning to a true foundation from which they can step into a new life: the making of new promises and the letting go of old ones. These three sessions are a way of packing and preparing for that journey from the inside out, ready for the perils and possibilities this new year might bring."

— David Whyte

David Whyte Series | Start Close In

Hello All!

In 2014 I went to Asilomar Conference center right nearby in Pacific Grove for the first time to hear David Whyte. I have returned every year since then. Of course, except for this one! I hope you will join me in this virtual event and also find the community which we have found in the past. After David's talks let's meet in my Zoom room to catch up, find our way to the deeper conversations and share poems!

David Whyte Online Series

Start Close In

Shaping a Creative Life Equal to the Challenge of Our Time

10:00 - 11:15am PST

Sundays: January 10, 17, 24

$60 (he will discount if rate is difficult)

Sign Up https://live.davidwhyte.com/

"....human beings have always been called to a form of radical simplification, to returning to a true foundation from which they can step into a new life: the making of new promises and the letting go of old ones. These three sessions are a way of packing and preparing for that journey from the inside out, ready for the perils and possibilities this new year might bring."

— David Whyte

Join me to discuss David's talks and share poems afterwards. I would suggest we take a 30 minute break after David's talk and then do our own Zoom meeting from 11:45am-12:45pm PST.

Zoom Meetups After David Whyte

Jan 10, 17, 24

11:45am - 12:45pm PST

Looking forward to reconnecting in conversation and in poems! Bring some to share.

Any questions just email me.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link before we meet.

— Laura

Full Moon | Year End Poetry Sharing Meetup

Dear Poetry People,

I am inviting you to join in an Hour of Sharing Poems - like a MeetUp. Bring poems that are important to you now. Poems that might have been written by you or some other poet that you would like to share.

We will then take a brief pause and then I am offering everyone the alchemy of music and poems spoken by me, for about 25-30  minutes. Cameras off if you like. All you have to do is sit back and let the poems find you. I will also have 10 minutes of time at the end with music, no speaking, for writing if you like or continue to enjoy the time in repose.

I will also be recording the poetry immersion so if you can't join us let me know and I can pass it along.

Join at 4:00 pm PST to share poems. Join at 5:05pm PST to receive poems spoken by me.

Any questions just email me.

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link the day before we meet.

— Laura

“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat 

match the beat of the universe,

to match your nature with Nature."

— Joseph Campbell

Zoom Poetry Meetup   

Join me for an easy, casual gathering of poetry. Stay for as long or as little as you can. Please, bring a poem or two that is speaking to you now. 

What a relief we have in poetry. Even the difficult becomes somehow bearable. I look forward to seeing you!

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link the day before we meet.

What Else

The way the trees empty themselves of leaves,

let drop their ponderous fruit,

the way the turtle abandons the sun-warmed log,

the way even the late-blooming aster

succumbs to the power of frost—

this is not a new story.

Still, on this morning, the hollowness

of the season startles, filling

the rooms of your house, filling the world

with impossible light, improbable hope.

And so, what else can you do 

but let yourself be broken 

and emptied? What else is there

but waiting in the autumn sun?

 — Carolyn Locke

North American Zoom Poetry Meetup   

Join me for an easy, casual gathering of poetry. Stay for as long or as little as you can. Please, bring a poem or two that is speaking to you now. 

What a relief we have in poetry. Even the difficult becomes somehow bearable. I look forward to seeing you!

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link the day before we meet.

What Else

The way the trees empty themselves of leaves,

let drop their ponderous fruit,

the way the turtle abandons the sun-warmed log,

the way even the late-blooming aster

succumbs to the power of frost—

this is not a new story.

Still, on this morning, the hollowness

of the season startles, filling

the rooms of your house, filling the world

with impossible light, improbable hope.

And so, what else can you do 

but let yourself be broken 

and emptied? What else is there

but waiting in the autumn sun?

 — Carolyn Locke

North American Zoom Poetry Meetup   

Join me for an easy, casual gathering of poetry. Stay for as long or as little as you can. Please, bring a poem or two that is speaking to you now. 

What a relief we have in poetry. Even the difficult becomes somehow bearable. I look forward to seeing you!

Please RSVP and I’ll send you an email with the Zoom link the day before we meet.

It's midsummer night. The light is skinny;

a thin skirt of desire skims the earth.

Dogs bark at the musk of other dogs

and the urge to go wild

I am lingering at the edge

of a broken heart, striking relentlessly

against the flint of hard will.

It's coming apart.

And everyone knows it.

So do squash erupting in flowers

the color of the sun.

So does the momentum of grace

gathering allies

in the partying mob.

The heart knows everything.

I remember when there was no urge

to cut the land or each other into pieces,

when we knew how to think

in beautiful.

- Joy Harjo from ‘Emergence’