Sunday, October 28, 2018, 1:00 P.M. To 5:00 P.M.
San Diego Writers, Ink, 2730 Historic Decatur Rd., #202, San Diego, CA 92106 (760) 802-2449
In August of 2009 San Diego Union Reporter John Wilkens wrote a story about the “Poetry Bench” a monthly poetry event at Balboa Park where poets gather and recite original or favorite poems. Wilkens quoted painter/poet Jimmy Collins: “Jihmye Collins, a local poet and artist who is hosting today’s event, detects a “strong pulse” in the poetry scene. He (Collins) said public readings are a way for writers “to get a greater sense of what they are trying to express.”
Jim Moreno’s October workshop at San Diego Writers, Ink resonates with the African-American painter/poet’s take on reading and writing in community. A community, as Jihmye might say, has a desire for justice and a desire for the recognition of all humanity. Moreno amplifies: “From our time in the Langston Hughes Poetry Circle, our time on the board of the African American Writers & Artists, our time teaching and performing together, he would agree that writing in community is an entire different experience than writing in solitude. The energy in the room is different, more conducive to inspiration, motivation, imagination, & contagion, to write something you may have never written before. We writers are very hard on ourselves. The other poets in the room giving feedback about what they liked in your poem creates fertile ground for creativity. That’s why my workshops are not critique classes, they are villages of support for beginning or seasoned poets.”
In addition, Jim has found poetry from writers of other cultures and genres that resonate with Mr. Collins’ verse. Other poets who write lucidly about existential, social justice, or the art & joy of being human are part and parcel of Moreno’s class structure. Moreno again: I went to workshops of Steve Kowit’s from the early 90’s up until shortly before his death three years ago in April of 2015. He was not a fan of the difficult, esoteric poem. If your poem was not easily understood, did not have a story line, did not have a strong beginning, middle, and end, you would hear about it from him. Steve and Jihmye saw poetry as a tool that allows our human values to be nurtured, expressed, and transform hate and ignorance as well. A short autobiographical video of Collins speaking his values will be shown in this class to amplify the importance of these traits.
If you are looking for a workshop to help you find your audience this workshop is not for you. If you are looking for a critique workshop, this class is not for you. If you are looking for a safe writing environment, a place to explore your heart, to find your original voice, to amplify your intuitive wisdom, to receive positive feedback about what you are trying to get down on paper, this is the workshop for you. When Jihmye Collins wrote that its vital for writers to get a greater sense of what they are trying to express, this is achievable in a myriad of ways by writing in community.
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The poetry of Jihmye Collins Enrollment: $60.00