How Poets Jump for Joy

The world gives us many downers. In this workshop, we will counter that energy, deliberately tuning into poems of joy. We will review a variety of poems, many written by well-known poets. Theologically based commentary from poet Christian Wiman, who published a recent anthology of joy poetry, will add to the conversation. Participants will be invited to write a new poem celebrating their own experience of joy. There will be an opportunity to share this writing. The presenter’s hope is to enable an uplifting testimony to poetry’s ability to capture some of our most treasured moments and realizations.

Presenter Biography:

Carol Barrett has published three volumes of poetry, most recently Reading Wind, and a collection of creative nonfiction titled Pansies, finalist for the Oregon Book Awards. The recipient of a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, Carol has taught poetry for students ranging from kindergarten to doctoral candidates. Her poems have appeared in venues in seven countries. She began writing poetry as an encouragement to the widowed women she counseled, and fell in love with the art, subsequently earning a Ph.D. in Creative Writing, following her first doctorate in Clinical Psychology.