This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Kathleen O’Toole

This interactive session with its focus on noticing the small details in the winter world around us, may offer comfort and inspiration as the dark days of deepest winter shorten to allow more light, and a turn toward spring. In this 90-minute session Kathleen O’Toole will share both haiku and short lyric or narrative poems that are grounded in attention to the natural world, as it presents itself as winter turns toward spring, and invite participants to join her in some “practices” (and writing prompts) aimed at being attentive to fleeting experiences that we can all capture in short poems.

No previous poetry writing experience required, just an openness to playing with words. Bring an open heart, and any recent (or remembered) experiences with “winter turning toward spring.”

Suggested Donation: $15

About Kathleen O’Toole

Takoma Park Poet Laureate Kathleen O’Toole is the author of 4 books of poetry (find her at https://kathleenotoolepoetry.com). She has taught writing at Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. As evident in her longer work, she often seeks inspiration and consolation in nature. For more than thirty years she has been writing haiku as a spiritual practice of attention, and to deepen her experience of the natural world.