Podcast appearances and mentions of sam hamill

Sam Hamill said “Over the past decade or so, no one has done more for poetry in the Pacific Northwest than has Paul Nelson.” With the Poetry Postcard Fest, now in its 19th year, that influence is spreading well beyond the Cascadia bioregion and all over the world. 

Jesus prayed, “I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves” (Jn. 17). Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Friendship According to Aristotle and Jesus 1. “We seek one mystery, God, with another mystery, ourselves. We are mysterious to ourselves because God's mystery is in us.” [i] Gary Wills wrote these words about the impossibility of fully comprehending God. Still, we can draw closer to the Holy One. I am grateful for friends who help me see our Father in new ways. This week my friend Norwood Pratt sent me an article which begins with a poem by Li Bai (701-762). According to legend he died in the year 762 drunkenly trying to embrace the moon's reflection in the Yangtze River. Li Bai writes, “The birds have vanished from the sky. / Now the last cloud drains away // We sit together, the mountain and me, / until only the mountain remains.” [ii] For me this expresses the feeling of unity with God that comes to me in prayer. This poet was one of many inspirations for a modern Chinese American poet named Li-Young Lee (1957-). Lee's father immigrated to the United States and served as a Presbyterian pastor at an all-white church in western Pennsylvania. Lee feels fascinated by infinity and eternity. He writes this poem about the “Ultimate Being, Tao or God” as the beloved one, the darling. Each of us in the uniqueness of our nature and experience has a different experience of holiness. He writes, “My friend and I are in love with the same woman… I'd write a song about her.  I wish I could sing. I'd sing about her. / I wish I could write a poem. / Every line would be about her. / Instead, I listen to my friend speak / about this woman we both love, / and I think of all the ways she is unlike / anything he says about her and unlike / everything else in the world.” [iii] These two poets write about something that cannot easily be expressed, our deepest desire to be united with God. Jesus also speaks about this in the Gospel of John, in his last instructions to the disciples and then in his passionate prayer for them, and for us. In his last words Jesus describes the mystery of God and our existence using a surprising metaphor. At the center of all things lies our experience of friendship. On Mother's Day when we celebrate the sacrifices associated with love I want to think more with you about friendship and God. To understand the uniqueness of Jesus' teaching, it helps to see how another great historical thinker understood this subject. 2. Long before Jesus' birth the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) studied at Plato's school in Athens (from the age of 17 to 37). After this Aristotle became the tutor of Alexander the Great and founded a prominent library that he used as the basis for his thought. Scholars estimate that about a third of what Aristotle wrote has survived. He had a huge effect on the western understanding of nature. He also especially influenced the thirteenth century theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) and therefore modern Roman Catholic approaches to Christian thought. For Aristotle God is eternal, non-material, unchanging and perfect. He famously describes God as the unmoved mover existing outside of the world and setting it into motion. Because everything seeks divine perfection this God is responsible for all change that continues to happen in the universe. We experience a world of particular things but God knows the universal ideas behind them (or before them). For Aristotle God is pure thought, eternally contemplating himself. God is the telos, the goal or end of all things. [iv] Aristotle begins his book Nicomachean Ethics by observing that “Happiness… is the End at which all actions aim.” [v] Everything we do ultimately can be traced back to our desire for happiness and the purpose of Aristotle's book is to help the reader to attain this goal. Happiness comes from having particular virtues, that is habitual ways of acting and seeking pleasure. These include: courage, temperance, generosity, patience. In our interactions with others we use social virtues including: amiability, sincerity, wit. Justice is the overarching virtue that encompasses all the others. Aristotle writes that there are three kinds of friendships. The first is based on usefulness, the second on pleasure. Because these are based on superficial qualities they generally do not last long. The final and best form of friendship for him is based on strength of character. These friends do not love each other for what they can gain but because they admire each other's character. Aristotle believes that this almost always this happens between equals although sometimes one sees it in the relation between fathers and sons (I take this to mean between parents and children). Famous for describing human beings as the political animal, Aristotle points out that we can only accomplish great things through cooperation. Institutions and every human group rely on friendly feelings to be effective. Friendship is key to what makes human beings effective, and for that matter, human. Finally, Aristotle believes that although each person should be self-sufficient, friendship is important for a good life. 3. The Greek word for Gospel, that particular form of literature which tells the story of Jesus, is euangelion. We might forget that this word means good news until we get a sense for the far more radical picture of God and friendship that Jesus teaches. For me, one of the defining and unique features of Christianity as a religion comes from Jesus' insistence that our relation to God is like a child to a loving father. Jesus teaches us to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven.” Jesus clarifies this picture of God in his story of the Prodigal Son who goes away and squanders his wealth in a kind of first century Las Vegas. In the son's destitution he returns home and as he crests the hill, his father “filled with compassion,” hikes up his robes and runs to hug and kiss him. Jesus does not just use words but physical gestures to show what a friend is. In today's gospel Jesus washes his friends' feet before eats his last meal with them. The King James Version says, “there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved” (Jn. 13:23). [vi] Imagine Jesus, in the actual embrace of his beloved friend, telling us who God is. Jesus explicitly says I do not call you servants but friends (Jn. 15). A servant does not know what the master is doing but a friend does. And you know that the greatest commandment is to love one another. Later in prayer he begs God to protect us from the world, “so that [we] may have [his] joy made complete in [ourselves]” (Jn. 17). 4. Gregory of Nyssa (c. 332-395) was born ten years after the First Council of Nicaea and attended the First Council of Constantinople. He writes about how so many ordinary people were arguing about doctrine, “If in this city you ask anyone for change, he will discuss with you whether the Son was begotten or unbegotten. If you ask about the quality of the bread you will receive the answer, “The father is the greater and the Son is lesser.' If you suggest a bath is desirable you will be told, ‘There was nothing before the Son was created.'” [vii] Gregory with his friends Basil and Gregory Nazianzus wondered what description of Jesus would lead to faith rather than just argument. [viii] Gregory of Nyssa came to believe that the image of God is only fully displayed when every human person is included. [ix] In his final book Life of Moses Gregory responds to a letter from a younger friend who seeks counsel on “the perfect life.” [x] Gregory writes that Moses exemplifies this more than all others because Moses is a friend to God. True perfection is not bargaining with, pleading, tricking, manipulating, fearing God. It is not avoiding a wicked life out of fear of punishment. It is not to do good because we hope for some reward, as if we are cashing in on the virtuous life through a business contract. Gregory closes with these words to his young admirer, “we regard falling from God's friendship as the only dreadful thing… and we consider becoming God's friend the only thing worthy of honor and desire. This… is the perfection of life. As your understanding is lifted up to what is magnificent and divine, whatever you may find… will certainly be for the common benefit in Christ Jesus.” [xi] On Thursday night I was speaking to Paul Fromberg the Rector of St. Gregory's church about this and he mentioned a sophisticated woman who became a Christian in his church. In short she moved from Aristotle's view of friendship among superior equals to Jesus' view. She said, “Because I go to church I can have real affection for people who annoy the shit out of me. My affection is no longer just based on affinity.” [xii] 5. I have been thoroughly transformed by Jesus' idea of friendship. My life has become full of Jesus' friends, full of people who I never would have met had I followed Aristotle's advice. Together we know that in Christ unity does not have to mean uniformity. Before I close let me tell you about one person who I met at Christ Church in Los Altos. Even by the time I met her Alice Larse was only a few years away from being a great-grandmother. She and her husband George had grown up together in Washington State. He had been an engineer and she nursed him through his death from Alzheimer's disease. Some of my favorite memories come from the frequent summer pool parties she would have for our youth groups. She must have been in her sixties when she started a “Alice's Stick Cookies Company.” Heidi and I saw them in a store last week!   At Christ Church we had a rotating homeless shelter and there were several times when Alice, as a widow living by herself, had various guests stay at her house. When the church was divided about whether or not to start a school she quickly volunteered to serve as senior warden. She was not sentimental. She was thoroughly practical. She was humble. She got things done… but with a great sense of humor.   There was no outward indication that she was really a saint. I missed her funeral two weeks ago because of responsibilities here. I never really had the chance to say goodbye but I know that one day we will be together in God. Grace Cathedral has hundreds of saints just like her who I have learned to love in a similar way.   Ram Dass was a dear friend of our former Dean Alan Jones. He used to say, “The name of the game we are in is called ‘Being at one with the Beloved.' [xiii] The Medieval mystic Julian of Norwich writes that God possesses, “a love-longing to have us all together, wholly in himself for his delight; for we are not now wholly in him as we shall be…” She says that you and I are Jesus' joy and bliss. [xiv]   We seek one mystery, God, with another mystery, ourselves. We are mysterious to ourselves because God's mystery is in us.” [xv] In a world where friendship can seem to be only for utility or pleasure I pray that like Jesus, you will be blessed with many friends, that you find perfection of life and even become friends with God. [i] Gary Wills, Saint Augustine (NY: Viking, 1999) xii. [ii] Li Bai, “Zazen on Ching-t'ing Mountain,” tr. Sam Hamill, Crossing the Yellow River: Three Hundred Poems from the Chinese, (Rochester, NY: BOA Editions, 2000). About 1000 poems attributed to Li still exist. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48711/zazen-on-ching-ting-mountain [iii] Ed Simon, “There's Nothing in the World Smaller than the Universe: In The Invention of the Darling, Li-Young Lee presents divinity as spirit and matter, profound and quotidian, sacred and profane,” Poetry Foundation. This article quotes, “The Invention of the Darling.”  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/162572/theres-nothing-in-the-world-smaller-than-the-universe [iv] More from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: “Aristotle made God passively responsible for change in the world in the sense that all things seek divine perfection. God imbues all things with order and purpose, both of which can be discovered and point to his (or its) divine existence. From those contingent things we come to know universals, whereas God knows universals prior to their existence in things. God, the highest being (though not a loving being), engages in perfect contemplation of the most worthy object, which is himself. He is thus unaware of the world and cares nothing for it, being an unmoved mover. God as pure form is wholly immaterial, and as perfect he is unchanging since he cannot become more perfect. This perfect and immutable God is therefore the apex of being and knowledge. God must be eternal. That is because time is eternal, and since there can be no time without change, change must be eternal. And for change to be eternal the cause of change-the unmoved mover-must also be eternal. To be eternal God must also be immaterial since only immaterial things are immune from change. Additionally, as an immaterial being, God is not extended in space.” https://iep.utm.edu/god-west/ [v] Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, trans. H. Rackham, Loeb Classical Library vol. XIX (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1975) 30-1. [vi] h™n aÓnakei÷menoß ei–ß e˙k tw◊n maqhtw◊n aujtouv e˙n twˆ◊ ko/lpwˆ touv ∆Ihsouv, o§n hjga¿pa oJ ∆Ihsouvß (John 13:23). I don't understand why the NRSV translation translate this as “next to him” I think that Herman Waetjen regards “in Jesus' bosom” as correct. Herman Waetjen, The Gospel of the Beloved Disciple: A Work in Two Editions (NY: T&T Clark, 2005) 334. [vii] Margaret Ruth Miles, The Word Made Flesh: A History of Christian Thought (Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2005), 105. [viii] Ibid., 108. [ix] From Jesse Hake, “An Intro to Saint Gregory of Nyssa and his Last Work: The Life of Moses,” 28 July 2022: https://www.theophaneia.org/an-intro-to-saint-gregory-of-nyssa-and-his-last-work-the-life-of-moses/ “For example, Gregory says that the image of God is only fully displayed when every human person is included, so that the reference in Genesis to making humanity in God's image is actually a reference to all of humanity as one body (which is ultimately the body of Jesus Christ that is also revealed at the end of time): In the Divine foreknowledge and power all humanity is included in the first creation. …The entire plenitude of humanity was included by the God of all, by His power of foreknowledge, as it were in one body, and …this is what the text teaches us which says, God created man, in the image of God created He him. For the image …extends equally to all the race. …The Image of God, which we behold in universal humanity, had its consummation then. …He saw, Who knows all things even before they be, comprehending them in His knowledge, how great in number humanity will be in the sum of its individuals. …For when …the full complement of human nature has reached the limit of the pre-determined measure, because there is no longer anything to be made up in the way of increase to the number of souls, [Paul] teaches us that the change in existing things will take place in an instant of time. [And Paul gives to] that limit of time which has no parts or extension the names of a moment and the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).” [x] Gregory of Nyssa, The Life of Moses trans. Abraham J. Malherbe and Everett Ferguson, “Preface” by John Myendorff (NY: Paulist Press, 1978) 29. [xi] Ibid., 137. [xii] Paul Fromberg conversation at One Market, Thursday 9 May 2024. [xiii] Alan Jones, Living the Truth (Boston, MA: Cowley Publications, 2000) 53. [xiv] Quoted in Isaac S. Villegas, “Christian Theology is a Love Story,” The Christian Century, 25 April 2018. https://www.christiancentury.org/lectionary/may-13-easter-7b-john-17-6-19?code=kHQx7M4MqgBLOUfbwRkc&utm_source=Christian+Century+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1ccba0cb63-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_SCP_2024-05-06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-31c915c0b7-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D [xv] Gary Wills, Saint Augustine (NY: Viking, 1999) xii.

"Over the past decade or so, nobody has done more for the Pacific Northwest than Paul Nelson." --Sam Hamill. Paul E. Nelson talks with Roxi Power about his forthcoming book, DaySong Miracle (Past 62) from Carbonation Press. The two poet friends laugh, talk, and even sing some of Nelson's lyrical lines in his long investigative and spiritual poems. Ever the teacher and professional interviewer, Paul elegantly unpacks how his poetic ancestors--"antepesados"--from Michael McClure, Joanne Kyger, and Brenda Hillman--among the many poets he has interviewed, have influenced his Projective, Organic, and Poetic Cosmology involving Spiritual Ecology, bioregionalism, and connection to place. Poet/interviewer Paul E. Nelson is the son of a labor activist father and Cuban immigrant mother. He founded the Cascadia Poetics LAB & the Cascadia Poetry Festival. Books include Cascadian Prophets (Interviews 1999-2023) (2024),  Haibun de la Serna (2022), A Time Before Slaughter/Pig War: & Other Songs of Cascadia (2020) American Prophets (interviews 1994-2012) (2018) & American Sentences (2015, 2021). Co-Editor of Cascadian Zen Volume I: Bioregional Writings on Cascadia Here and Now (2023, Watershed Press), Make it True meets Medusario (2019) (Spanish & English) and other anthologies. He's Literary Executor for the late poet Sam Hamill and lives in Rainier Beach, alongside dəxʷwuqʷed Creek. https://paulenelson.com/ https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/ Image by Roberta Hoffman

This eleventh episode of the Luna Aroma series finds us in Little Spirit moontime. A time still near the “thin veil” and for giving thanks and focusing on spiritual growth. I feel that Eastern Red Cedar and its essential oil support us this time of year, with its personality of quiet, protection, pausing, seeming immortality and the wisdom of being ok with not knowing. Episode Highlights: 7:04 Highlighting Eastern Red Cedar Essential Oil 15:10 Recommended Yoga Pose 16:07 Guided Aromatic Encounter with Eastern Red Cedar 22:40 Poem: 'The Orchid Flower' by Sam Hamill 23:57 Poem: ‘Autumn' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Look forward to my upcoming Plant Talk write up on Eastern Red Cedar. In the meantime, check out the "Plant Talk" on Juniper Berry @ nycaromatica.com! Ciao for now! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/essential-aromatica/message

Citações e trechos do livro “Ensinamentos Essenciais de Chuang Tzu”, de Sam Hamill e J. P. Seaton. Chuang Tzu (369 - 286 a.C.), foi um influente filósofo e um dos fundadores do taoísmo na China do século IV a.C., um período correspondente ao cume da filosofia chinesa, o período das cem escolas de pensamento. Chuang Tzu se opôs firmemente aos valores confucionistas de ordem, controle e hierarquia, acreditando que o estado perfeito era aquele em que apenas a natureza primordial governa a realidade. Assim, Chuang Tzu oferece um olhar intrigante e profundo sobre a consciência humana. Saiba mais em: http://chines-classico.blogspot.com/2...

ABC #046 - Part 3 Dr. Samuel McClintock Hamill was one of the most prominent pediatricians in the country, but early in his career he had conducted controversial experiments on orphans and abandoned children, some of whom were left with permanently damaged eyesight. 

Trechos do livro “Ensinamentos Essenciais de Chuang Tzu”, de Sam Hamill e J. P. Seaton. Chuang Tzu (369 - 286 a.C.), foi um influente filósofo e um dos fundadores do taoísmo na China do século IV a.C., um período correspondente ao cume da filosofia chinesa, o período das cem escolas de pensamento. Chuang Tzu se opôs firmemente aos valores confucionistas de ordem, controle e hierarquia, acreditando que o estado perfeito era aquele em que apenas a natureza primordial governa a realidade. Assim, Chuang Tzu oferece um olhar intrigante e profundo sobre a consciência humana. Saiba mais em: http://chines-classico.blogspot.com/2...

Amanda Holmes reads Jaan Kaplinski's poem “The Glow of the Night Sky,” translated from the Estonian by Sam Hamill and Riina Tamm. Have a suggestion for a poem by a (dead) writer? Email us: podcast@theamericanscholar.org. If we select your entry, you'll win a copy of a poetry collection edited by David Lehman.This episode was produced by Stephanie Bastek and features the song “Canvasback” by Chad Crouch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(My audio starts shaky, but gets better after 8 minutes) Bill Porter, aka Red Pine, calls the hermit life, "graduate school for the spiritually inclined." Bill Porter is a translator of Buddhist and Taoist mountain poets that uncross your third eye and waft the scent of a  fine scotch.  What can I say about Bill Porter that he won't say better about himself? I first stumbled on his book Road to Heaven: Encounters with Chinese Hermits while on retreat. His adventures and chitchats with hermits beckoned me to discover more about this hermit tradition and the man captivated by trekking into the mountains in search of monks living off the map. Bill is credited with an uptick of interest in the hermit life in China. Stateside Bill Porter is best known under his translator name of Red Pine, translating the work of Cold Mountain, Stonehouse, Lao Tzu and others over at the granddaddy of beautiful publishing Copper Canyon. We talk about this and more.  To visit Bill Porter, well if you bump into him in his hometown. To find his work online go his publisher Copper Canyon at coppercanyonpress.org.

Subscribe to Quotomania on Simplecast or search for Quotomania on your favorite podcast app!For this very special Quotomania debut of Ian Boyden's unpublished poem “Assay,” Boyden shared a short statement on the work:“I'm so delighted you are going to read my poem ‘Assay' as part of your Quotomania project. It might seem strange, but in an important way, this is precisely how I want this poem to enter the world—delivered by the voice of someone other than myself (and yet not an Other). And that it is your voice, a voice I have come to love so much, that makes it even better. “Why do I feel this way? This poem is a record of an experience, that of the gradual breakdown of the “illusory self” that somehow forms as we grow, perhaps in the way a hard crust grows on lava as it cools. The generation of the illusory self is a response to some external condition. And somehow in this process a separation occurs, as if part of us were trapped to one side of the crust, and the other part to the other. I don't know if there is a singular reason for this. But a theory I am fond of is that our conscious mind is somehow captured by language, this sense of ‘I' made rigid by the insistence of language itself. And with ‘I' comes ‘non-I.' Thus, the mentality of ‘we-they' is born. The Other. “Think about this, Paul, language might be a separate temperature from who we fundamentally are. When we expose ourselves to this extraordinary tool of communication, it changes our state of matter. What was transparent might become opaque, what was liquid might become solid. Great eruptions of steam and fog. Calcium carbonate precipitates to form some dense shell. And somehow consciousness separates. And then it begins to perceive our world as through the lens of separation. “You asked me to suggest quotations, and here is one from Sam Hamill in this regard that I love. It comes from his essay ‘The Necessity to Speak':Nothing will change until we demolish the ‘we-they' mentality. We are human, and therefore all human concerns are ours. And those concerns are personal.“Many years ago, I had a profound experience in which the boundary between myself and my environment shattered. I saw quite clearly that I was not separate from my environment. That, in fact, I was my environment, that we are our environment. What we do to our environment, we do to ourselves. And this revelation has been at the heart of my work for the last decade or more. And at the same time, this revelation also illuminated a similar internal illusion, an illusory I that is somehow separate from who we fundamentally are. What is our fundamental self or fundamental disposition? “There is a famous Zen koan that speaks to the importance, really the revelatory quality of knowing that fundamental disposition. When the seven century Zen master Hongren declared Huineng his dharma heir, it created an intense controversy among the monks at his temple. Some of them were so angry that they wanted to kill Huineng, causing Huineng to flee for his life. One of Hongren's other disciples, a head monk named Ming, pursued Huineng and finally caught up with him in the mountains. In a life-or-death situation, Huineng asked Ming this question: ‘Without thinking of right, without thinking of wrong, at this very moment, what is your original disposition?' Disposition is a wonderful word in Chinese meaning literally ‘face and eyes.' Upon being asked this question, head monk Ming experiences a massive opening, recognizes Huineng as the rightful dharma heir and lets him go on his way. And Huineng's question has become a question asked of every student of Zen ever since.“What is your original disposition? It is such a severe question. That original disposition of the flowing lava before the blinding crust. What is your fundamental nature? How do you penetrate the crust to see it? How do you go about knowing that? It seems to defy all logical structures. So, this poem documents an aspect of my experience in that search. “And this brings me to the title ‘Assay.' This can be either a verb or a noun. I prefer the title be understood as a verb, though I also have no intention of limiting it to one or another. It means to test the quality of a metal, and by extension to assess the nature of a given thing. When I was a child, I identified with Hephaestus, I loved that he lived in a volcano forging metal, I even wrote my first book about him at age 7 or 8. And later, I even moved to Sicily where I climbed Mount Etna, Hephaestus' home! And then later, I worked in a bronze foundry, where I performed assays many times. So I felt this word fit perfectly with my own cosmology. But then I began to feel unease, because Jane Hirshfield, who is one of my favorite poets and who I count as a dear friend, has used this word in the title of a great number of her poems, a kind of formula: {X}: An Assay. So, I wrote to her, asking her if she would mind, and she wrote back a lovely note, saying, ‘you more than have my blessing, didn't need my blessing, but I still appreciate you inquiring, because I might, after all, have felt otherwise.'”Bio:Ian Boyden—artist, writer, translator, and curator—investigates relationships between the self and the environment, in particular how art and writing can shape our ecology. Consistent across his productions are his interests in material relevance and place-based thought, as well as a deep awareness of East Asian philosophies and aesthetics. He studied for many years in China and Japan, and holds degrees in the History of Art from Wesleyan University and Yale University. In recent years, he has worked extensively with Chinese dissidents, including artist Ai Weiwei and poet Tsering Woeser. He is the recipient of a Literary Translation Fellowship from the NEA to translate the work of Woeser. He is the author of A Forest of Names: 108 Meditations (Wesleyan University Press, 2020), and his artist books, paintings, and sculptures are found in many public collections including Reed College, Stanford University, the Portland Art Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. From www.ianboyden.com. For more information about Ian Boyden:“‘Eradicate the Self' Self Portrait”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYCJVLVHrF0A Forest of Names: https://www.weslpress.org/9780819579959/a-forest-of-names/“A Landscape of Dignity: A Conversation with Ai Weiwei and Ian Boyden”: https://www.raintaxi.com/a-landscape-of-dignity-a-conversation-with-ai-weiwei-and-ian-boyden/“The Nature of Names: A Conversation with Ian Boyden”: https://theadroitjournal.org/2020/09/24/the-nature-of-names-a-conversation-with-ian-boyden/Translations of “Assay”:Swedish translation by Charlotta Smeds:SkärskådaI åratal hamrade jagpå en vägg runt mitt hjärtaoch när den äntligen rasadefann jag att varelsen inom migvar densammasom höll i hammarenhela tiden—Ian BoydenItalian translation by Charlotta Smeds:ScrutarePer anni ho preso a martellate il muro attorno al mio cuoree quando alla fine è crollatoho trovato che l'essere al suo internoera lo stesso che aveva tenuto il martello per tutto il tempo—Ian BoydenChinese translation by Danhong Tang:證顯 多年來我錘打著 一堵環繞我心的牆 當它終於碎崩時 我發現裡面的眾生 與那個握著錘子的生物 一直是一樣的—Ian Boyden

Kelli Russell Agodon was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1969. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and an M.F.A. from the Rainier Writers Workshop at Pacific Lutheran University. She is the author of Small Knots, finalist for the 2004 Cherry Grove Poetry Prize and Geography, winner of the Floating Bridge Press Chapbook Award. She is the recipient of two Washington State Artist Trust GAP grants, a Puffin Foundation grant, The James Hearst Poetry Prize, the William Stafford Award, the Lohmann Prize, and the Carlin Aden Award for formal verse. Agodon edited the Poetry Broadside Series: The Making of Peace, which was displayed internationally throughout National Poetry Month in 2006. She also worked as the Regional Coordinator for Poets for Peace organizing the Poets for Peace: Mission 911 readings for Washington State raising money for the American Red Cross after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Her work has been featured on NPR's "The Writer's Almanac" with Garrison Keillor and in numerous literary journals and anthologies including Poets Against the War edited by Sam Hamill and Good Poems for Hard Times edited by Garrison Keillor. She lives in a small seaside community with her husband and daughter in the Northwest. Her website is: www.agodon.com Marco Rafalà is a first-generation Sicilian American novelist, musician, and writer for award-winning tabletop role-playing games. He earned his MFA in Fiction from The New School and is a co-curator of the Guerrilla Lit Reading Series in New York City. Born in Middletown, Connecticut, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York. His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in the Bellevue Literary Review and Literary Hub. His debut novel, How Fires End, won the honorable mention in fiction for the 2020 Connecticut Book Awards. Justin Johnson has been hailed by Guitar World as a "must-see act", dubbed "The Wizard" for his mastery of stringed instruments, and recognized as Slidestock International Slide Guitar Champion. In 2014, Justin Johnson recorded his debut double album, "Smoke & Mirrors," a celebration of the art, history, and traditions behind handmade roots instruments. Along with 18 modern-built roots instruments representing builders from all over the world, the album resurrects the voices of 8 of the oldest cigar box guitars and banjos known to exist. Having never previously been recorded, these fragile relics emanate voices on the album that would otherwise have been lost to time. "Smoke & Mirrors" saw it's official release in March of 2014, as Johnson took the stage to present his "2014/2015 Smoke & Mirrors World Tour," which spanned mainland Australia and Tasmania, North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. In response to worldwide demand for his educational offerings, Justin Johnson founded "Roots Music School" in Nashville, TN. Under this umbrella, he has released an Instructional Series consisting of DVDs and books on Roots Music technique and theory. As Roots Music School founder, Justin Johnson has partnered with educators across the country to develop Roots Music curriculum for schools. Please show your support to: Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/ Mostly Mutts: https://www.mostlymutts.org/ If you're in the Richmond, Virginia area, please check out Linden Row Inn for a history stay that's nothing short of epic: https://www.lindenrowinn.com/

All around my kayak and me and the birds and wildlife, Minneapolis was bubbling and churning with city life. But you wouldn’t know it from where I sat in my orange and yellow and red kayak, in the middle of the lake. Words by Winter: Conversations, reflections, and poems about the passages of life. Because it’s rough out there, and we have to help each other through.Original theme music for our show is by Dylan Perese. Artwork by Mark Garry. Today’s poem, "Zazen on Ching Ting Mountain," was translated by Sam Hamill and found in his book Crossing the Yellow River: Three Hundred Poems from the Chinese. It was read with permission of the poet and Tiger Bark Press. Words by Winter can be reached at wordsbywinterpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode features contemporary American poets (Sam Hamill, David Budbill, and others) writing in the style of the classical Chinese masters. Their poems are collected in the anthology "In the Spirit of Tao Chien." Visit our website: www.poetryspokenhere.com Like us on facebook: facebook.com/PoetrySpokenHere Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/poseyspokenhere (@poseyspokenhere) Send us an e-mail: poetryspokenhere@gmail.com

This special Poetry Month episode features host Charlie Rossiter relaying writing advice from Billy Collins, reading the poetry of Kodojin, and remembering Sam Hamill who recently passed away. Subscribe to Poetry Spoken Here on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poetr…d1030829938?mt=2 Visit our website: poetryspokenhere.com Like us on facebook: facebook.com/PoetrySpokenHere Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/poseyspokenhere (@poseyspokenhere) Send us an e-mail: poetryspokenhere@gmail.com

Join us for an evening of radical poetry with American poet and publisher Sam Hamill and Iraqi poet, actor and playwright Salah Al-Hamdani.

Ken Weisner is a poet, teacher, and editor living in Santa Cruz, California. He read at the Downtown Writers Center in Syracuse in March 2015.   Weiner has published widely in national journals including The Antioch Review, Seneca Review, The Brooklyn Review, Berkeley Poetry Review, and others; recent poems have appeared in The Music Lovers Poetry Anthology from Persea Books, Sam Hamill's "Poet's Against the War" website, and on Garrison Keillor's The Writers Almanac.  His first full length collection, The Sacred Geometry of Pedestrians, was published in 2002 by Hummingbird Press. His 2010 volume, Anything on Earth, was also published by Hummingbird. About Weisner's most recent book, Stephen Kuusisto has said, "Poetry is the physicality of music--not in drumming, but in the mind. With Anything on Earth, Ken Weisner gives us poems conveying what is doubly good: our instruments and the ardent notes we make with them."

We are pleased to present a reading by Chris Abani, recorded at the 2009 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. Chris Abani is a novelist, poet, essayist, screenwriter and playwright. Born in Nigeria to an Igbo father and English mother, he grew up in Afikpo, Nigeria, received a BA in English from Imo State University, Nigeria, an MA in English, Gender and Culture from Birkbeck College, University of London and a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California. He has resided in the United States since 2001. He is the recipient of the PEN USA Freedom-to-Write Award, the Prince Claus Award, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, a California Book Award, a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, a PEN Beyond the Margins Award, the PEN Hemingway Book Prize and a Guggenheim Award. Abani's fiction includes The Secret History of Las Vegas (Penguin 2014), Song For Night *(Akashic, 2007), *The Virgin of Flames (Penguin, 2007), Becoming Abigail (Akashic, 2006), GraceLand (FSG, 2004), and Masters of the Board (Delta, 1985).   His poetry collections are Sanctificum (Copper Canyon Press, 2010), There Are No Names for Red (Red Hen Press, 2010), Feed Me The Sun - Collected Long Poems *(Peepal Tree Press, 2010) *Hands Washing Water (Copper Canyon, 2006), Dog Woman (Red Hen, 2004),Daphne’s Lot (Red Hen, 2003) and *Kalakuta Republic *(Saqi, 2001). --- The Port Townsend Writers' Conferece began in 1974 thanks to novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene.   

Please join Melissa Studdard and Tiferet Journal on 1/29/14 from 7 - 7:30 PM EST for a conversation with poet, author, translator, and publisher, William O' Daly. O'Daly is a board member of Poets Against War and co-founder of Copper Canyon Press, a prestigious non-profit organization dedicated to publishing poetry. An NEA recipient and finalist for the Quill Award in Poetry, O’Daly is the translator of numerous poetry collections by the Nobel Laureate, Pablo Neruda, as well as the author of a chapbook of poems, The Whale in the Web. Poems from both his own creative work and his translations have been adapted for dance and stage performances and photo exhibitions, and he collaborates frequently with classical and jazz musicians in performance of his work. Most recently, O'Daly has completed two manuscripts—a full-length poetry collection and a collaborative novel, with Han-ping Chin. Of O’Daly’s translation of The Separate Rose, poet Sam Hamill states, “In his brilliant translation of The Separate Rose, William O’Daly has rendered the wide range of expression that characterizes Neruda’s Orphic tongue and its two voices, one of temporality, oppression, and sadness, the other celebrating mystery and vitality.” For more information on William O'Daly please visit: http://williamodaly.com/ and http://www.coppercanyonpress.org/ Tiferet Journal is pleased to offer 12 more exceptional interviews in the just released, "Tiferet Talk Interviews" book. It can be purchased here:  http://tinyurl.com/bu8m2zs

We are pleased to present a craft lecture by Primus St. John, recorded at the 2003 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Erin Belieu, recorded at the 2011 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Sam Ligon, recorded at the 2009 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Bich Minh Nguyen, recorded at the 2010 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Rafael Campo, recorded at the 2006 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Anne Finger, recorded at the 2006 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a craft lecture by Mark Doty, recorded at the 2009 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Mark Doty, recorded at the 2009 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Sherman Alexie, recorded at the 2002 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

Sherman Alexie presents a humorous and thoughtful lecture and reading, recorded at the 2002 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Selah Saterstrom, recorded at the 2008 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We are pleased to present a reading by Jennine Capo Crucet, recorded at the 2012 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture by Kim Addonizio, recorded at the 2005 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading by Dana Levin, recorded at the 2010 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading by Gary Copeland Lilley, recorded at the 2011 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture by John Balaban about translation, recorded at the 1999 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading by Joseph Stroud, recorded at the 2004 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading by Cheryl Strayed, recorded at the 2011 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a lecture by Erin Belieu, recorded at the 2012 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading from poet Primus St. John, recorded at the 1994 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture from the poet Billy Collins, recorded at the 1997 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture from Lynn Emanuel, recorded at the 2006 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading from author Sam Ligon, recorded at the 2011 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading from poet Ashley Capps, recorded at the 2012 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture from Pam Houston, recorded at the 2012 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing.Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading from poet Mark Halperin, recorded at the 1977 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a poetry reading from Bill Ransom, recorded at the 1977 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading from James Welch, recorded at the 1998 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading and lecture from Tom Robbins, recorded at the 1998 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading Ilya Kaminsky, recorded at the 2005 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrimage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture from Dorianne Laux, recorded at the 2011 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrammage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture on The Writing Life from Jim Heynen, recorded at the 2002 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. Jim led the Conference at one point, and in this lecture he talks about some of the writers who participated in the gathering. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrammage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a reading from Cate Marvin, recorded at the 2011 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrammage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture from poet Gary Copeland Lilley, recorded at the 2012 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrammage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a craft lecture from poet Linda Bierds, recorded at the 1997 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrammage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

Arthur Sze's reading from the 1998 Port Townsend Writers' Conference.  It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrammage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.

We're pleased to present a fascinating craft lecture from poet William Pitt Root, recorded at the 1979 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. It all started in 1974 with the founding of the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference by novelist Bill Ransom, who envisioned an egalitarian, non-hierarchical conference where the emphasis was on the craft of literary writing. Such writers and welcomers as Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Rebecca Brown, and many others continued this emphasis on the writing craft over the next few decades, and the Conference has become an annual pilgrammage for many. Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. The list of Port Townsend Writers’ Conference faculty members is long and distinguished.