So many memories involve kin: perhaps feuding aunts, spouses (current, former, or fantasy), loving parents and grandparents, siblings, children, grandchildren, and even the animal kinfolk we love or have loved. In a spirit of honoring family members, Ms. Gerwin will invite workshop participants to think of their kinfolk (by blood, marriage, friendship) and write narrative poetry about them. If there is a photo—old or current—that prompts a memory, bring it along or tap your store of experiences and major or minor events that can lead to a poem. The workshop will review the qualities of narrative poetry and new resources will be discussed. There will be time to write, to share, and to discuss the process.
Ms. Gerwin, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, received her AB from Goucher College and thirty years later, her MA from NYU’s Gallatin School. A former educator, in 1984 she founded inedit, a freelance writing/editing firm based in Morristown. She is author of "Bella’s Family," a two-act play about a Jewish immigrant family in the early 20th century; "Dropping Names," a one-act play; and "Women in Motion," a monologue collection. Her poems, book reviews, fiction, essays, and journalistic features appear in literary journals, anthologies, newspapers, and magazines, and her plays have enjoyed staged readings at varied venues. Her first poetry collection, "Sugar and Sand," earned finalist designation for the 2010 Paterson Poetry Prize. Her second, "Dear Kinfolk," earned a 2013 Paterson Prize for Literary Excellence. She presents readings and workshops at varied venues and is associate poetry editor of Tiferet, a journal of spiritual literature. She and her husband Kenneth live in Morristown.
There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.
No comments:
Post a Comment