the pagoda writers.

during the first saturday in september, the pagoda writers based inside the historic pagoda in mount penn hosted their monthly workshop and invited jennifer hetrick to be the second guest speaker of the afternoon, to explain the story behind this poetry project while also sharing writing ideas from it.

international photojournalist blair seitz spoke first and discussed the concept of writing from images, whether curious prose or something cut into line breaks of poems.

donna luhrs who attended the workshop generously offered a few modified versions of her pictures showing blair seitz and jennifer hetrick. they are below.

the importance of preserving memories and history around us through interviewing those we're connected to, or those we may benefit to meet, and creating poems from them, isn't something people always think of right away on their own. its advantages touch everyone who is tied to the potential poems. and efforts like these can push art and history forward in a beautiful stretch of lines. 

working these kinds of opportunities into existence is also a way for us to put ourselves in the very seat of why we are here on this earth-- to be creators. plus, it's doubtful that those interviewed wouldn't feel more appreciated and valued through someone crafting a poem from their memories. and appreciation is one thing our world needs now more than ever. so the perks are really just reaching in all directions with these kinds of ideas.

once talking to workshop-goers about this poetry project, one idea we bounced around the room for potential writing prompts were using memories of manufacturing history stories from a person's family or his or her own life, if they happened to work in the industry. we also explored writing poems or prose inspired by the details in the few poems read from the project that day. and since food memories are such a great writing-persuaded outlet, we talked about the kinds of foods people might remember from childhood days back when our lives were so different. lebanon bologna and cheese sandwiches as well as peanut butter mixed with homemade strawberry jelly were some food details read during stanley burkert's poem from this project.

one man proudly read a brief set of lines he wrote about his grandfather's deep affection for tasty kakes at lunch, at work, on his breaks, and even the need to stop to pick up more on the drive home afterward. anyone who has known tasty kakes, and especially those who moved out of the area and can't buy them at a grocery store, knows the ache of missing that southeastern pennsylvania treat.

the pagoda writers are a great local asset in our community, and they strive to bring in different guest speakers with a variety of backgrounds and focuses in literature on a regular basis. it served as a true honor to speak to their participants. to find out more, visit them online at www.pagodawriters.com, or you can send a quick email to LTJamesThePagoda@gmail.com.