StoryStudio Chicago has been like a second home the past three years of my life. I have been blessed to spend at least one day of my week over the past three years at the space and have truly felt like more of myself when I have known that I was going back after a semester break. The space has enabled me to feel rooted in the writing scene of Chicago, and has given me the opportunity to meet and connect with so many people that are dedicated to the literary arts. I have met bike messengers, coffee-shop owners, lawyers, teachers, advertising agents, web designers, artists of every kind, people from all walks of life and from all over the globe.
Through StoryStudio I was able to finally embrace a lifestyle that kept writing at the forefront - that kept writing in the everyday. Every shift I worked, felt nothing like work to me, instead it felt like I was doing something for the better of my family - my writing family. The space has a spirit. Something I have never been able to put my finger on, but the spirit is gentle and nurturing and envelops you in this sort of creative energy. I have realized that as I grow as a writer my need to have writers around me grows as well.
StoryStudio provides an overwhelming sense of community and a belief that writing and being a writer is more than just a solitary act. I often joked with friends at the space that writing was seen almost as this heroic and courageous act - and in so many ways I truly do believe that. When I started working here I knew there was something unique to the space and it’s philosophy. There is a generosity shown in the programming, acknowledging all different genres and levels of skill. The staff and faculty have always been warm and full of encouragement.
We are who we are because of our experiences, and some of those are shared experiences - and I am proud and honored to know that my writing life will always be connected to this space. As I leave the space this Saturday, my last official shift, I know StoryStudio has really grown into something that a entire family of writers have adopted as their own space, their own second home.
Here’s a piece from Tony Dobrez.
Time
Time is simple
created by man to extend himself
To reach beyond normality.
Some measurement for which
someday he can overcome.
And when he does, to his belief
He will have answered all
the questions that need answering
To become one with the universe
and mindlessly meander
among the stars.
Our Teen Writing programs have been a big hit this summer. But don’t listen to me, take a look at Nicole Hunter’s poem, Soaring. Nicole was a member of our Teen Writing Workshop this summer. Well Done, Nicole!
My papa and I went to the ocean
Mama packed the picnic
Brother brought the beach ball
We all piled up in our 1940’s Jalopy and hit the road
It was a grand old time.
We sang On the Sunny Side of the Street
And mama sang
Straighten Up and Fly Right.
We arrived early before many people were there.
Brother and I splashed and swam and pounced.
We had fun.
Mamma and Papa sat on the beach towel under a banana umbrella and kissed and held each other and watched us.
We stayed there the whole day. Mama brought lunch and dinner.
It was late.
The sun had set and everyone had left.
My brother was already fast asleep in the car but I was outside I was telling Papa I didn’t want to leave ever.
He looked mad at first his eyebrows touched in the middle
But then he
stopped.
He turned to Mama, “I’ll be right back.” And he turned to me with a refreshed look on his face.
He took me under my arms and hoisted me up…
Onto his shoulders. Then he bent down low to the ground
And he began to run.
I wrapped my arms around his brown, veined neck
I shrugged into his brown forest of hair and closed my eyes.
I was soaring. Just my papa and me.
For an eternity it seemed.
Smartish Pace is running their Erskine J. Poetry Prize contest. Submission guidelines can be found on their website or by simply clicking on this link:here. Smartish Pace is one of those literary journals that you can read and always find another interesting article that will lead you somewhere else. I have always loved reading their Q&A section, where they provide an open platform for readers to ask questions of an author and the author will write back the answers.
Poems have managed to surface in various forms for many years, and as of recently the video poem is gaining some momentum. Here are six great examples of video poems showcasing the poets: Anne Carson, Thylias Moss and Aaron Fagan.
If you haven’t played around with your words in a while - why not enjoy some poems on the go? Here you will find some wonderful examples of the new movement to inject poetry with the look and feel of digital media.
Next Page
