We draw on the work of major, mostly contemporary

poets, because they speak with particular relevance

for our current day: poets like Denise Levertov, Wendell

Berry, Kathleen Norris, Lucille Clifton, R.S. Thomas,

Naomi Shihab Nye, Mark Jarman, Scott Cairns.

After an opening talk on poetry's unique value as a

resource for discernment and spiritual growth, we

introduce the classic meditative method of "lectio

divina" as a way to settle into a poem and engage

with it personally.

The rest of the retreat alternates between times for

your private meditation on poems we'll distribute,

and times when the group comes together to share

the fruits of individual reflection.

Our Participants

Some are already avid readers of poetry; others strug-

gle to read it but would like to become more comfortable with it; some write poetry themselves.

Retreatants come from a range of religious traditions;

some worship regularly with a faith community, some

don't; but all are spiritual seekers.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to see what some of

our participants have said about their experience of

Poetry Retreats.

The Spiritual Grounding of Poetry Retreats

 

Peggy's religious practice is Roman Catholic. From this grounding,

she enjoys working with retreatants from a wide range of backgrounds

and religious traditions. Similarly, most of the poets we spend time with

write out of Christian roots, but in a way that invites all spiritual seekers

into the poem. 

 

Click here or the "Bio & Books" tab for more biographical details.  For information on how to contact me, click here or the "Reach Me" tab.

 

 

Where and When

 

Places that host a Poetry Retreat can be retreat centers or special

arts ministry events, or educational institutions. Where they present

the program as a course offering, it is always open to auditors on a non-credit basis. No matter what the program's title is at a particular site, or whether it is called there a retreat or workshop or course, it shares the

goals and basic format as described here.

 

Click here or the "Past Events" tab for a sampling of past sites and programs.

 

 

From  participants, in their own words. . . .

 

"Poetry Retreats changed my life."

 

"By learning to use lectio divina with the poetry, my prayer life has really been expanded."

 

"Not having read poetry before, I found a new way of experiencing life and faith."

 

"I came here afraid of poetry, but now I want to start a praying-with-poetry group

 with my friends."

 

"I came in loving words and how they are woven together, but I had forgotten

how much I loved them."

 

"Keep doing this great work. I feel really blessed to have been a part of it."

 

"I feel I've been baptized by poetry."