aTi Scholarship Report
Stockton University 2015
by Jackie Huster
Orientation and Dinner at Stockton University
Day 1 July 27, 2015
My class was Advancing the Poem: Finding your Authentic Voice with Peter Murphy. Peter started the class with everyone sharing and introducing themselves. Including Peter, there were seven of us in the class. Small number but in a writing class, small often works well. I knew most of the group already except for two ladies who turned out to be delightful. Our whole group clicked immediately and the dynamics contributed to the flow of creativity.
Peter gave us a free write entitled, "Who I am not". That was quite a revealing free write for me. I had to really stop, think, and ponder what I wanted to say. I ended up with almost a whole page of writing that I can use for fodder down the road. We often like to think of who we are and this was a nice twist by looking at who we are not.
We discussed poetry and tried to define it. I've come to the conclusion that poetry cannot be truly defined because there are so many meanings that can apply. Poetry is also personal and therefore, means something different to each person. Poetry is about feelings and thoughts and everyone is unique. For me, that is the beauty of poetry. Poetry is also a vehicle for me to explore, discuss, and analyze varying emotions and situations.
Peter gave us a packet of poems and we read several of the poems aloud and discussed their meanings, the sounds, and the themes.I enjoyed the variety of poems and poets that Peter chose. Some of them I knew, but many were new. Peter exposes us to so many types of poems and poets. I like looking them up and reading more of their work to see a clearer picture of who they are and not judge them by only one poem.
We were paired with a classmate and I knew before Peter said it who would be my partner. We got to know one another and we hit it off famously and seemed to have much in common.
We worked on prompt #1- Write about a time you doubted yourself, someone doubted you, or doubt led to a difficult conclusion. Tell it straight. Don't worry about form. Tell a secret, tell a lie and never tell anyone which is which. Try to surprise yourself. This first prompt actually turned out to be one of my "polished" poems that I read on the last day for the presentation. The poem went through a number of revisions after working with my classmates and Peter. It was finally titled, "The Decision". I enjoy getting critical feedback.
Day 2 - July 28, 2015
We also had Prompt #2 - Begin a poem about work with a line or two of dialogue. Discover something you didn't know about work . . .about yourself. Tell a secret, tell a lie and never tell anyone which is which. This was a cool prompt by including dialogue. I don't often employ that technique but I think I'd like to incorporate more dialogue into my poetry. I chose to write a poem about an active shooter drill that we do at school. This prompt revealed to me how deeply this kind of drill affects me.
We also had a feedback session. In a feedback session, each poet reads the draft of their poem twice and then sits quietly while each member speaks about what they like, not like, and changes that could perhaps enhance the poem. The poets in my group were insightful and completely on target with their suggestions.
At the end of the day, Peter invited all of us to take a walk to Lake Fred. Sherrie and I wanted to go because we had never visited it or even heard about it. It was a short walk and it was lovely. I took some pictures which are shown below.
Day 3 - July 29, 2015
Pipe Organ
Organist's shoes
Sir Walter Raleigh's head
Posing
Goofing around at Ripley's
The whole poetry gang
Day 4 - July 30, 2015
In the dark
I'm an oddity
like the freaks at Ripley's.
Where you hear
ordinary sounds
I hear the wailing of wild dogs,
heavy breathing real
and imagined.
The sounds of footsteps
in the darkened hallway
keeps me awake.
Maybe it's an escaped convict
who has broken in
bound to kill me as I sleep.
Unless you're afraid
of being alone
in the dark,
you'll never understand me.
A grown woman
who has never
spent a night alone
In the dark.
It's the house settling
says my husband.
Go to sleep.
It's not finished, I still need to revise it further. Sometimes it takes quite a few revisions and edits to get it just right. It's all about letting poem take shape.
We also took a mini field trip to Stockton's gallery and had another feedback session. It was a full day but satisfying.
Day 5 - July 31, 2015
My Dearest Pain,
I show know better.
You've used me before
Tossed me about
like a boat in the North Sea.
You force me to suffer.
I can't take it
screams my arthritic joints,
yet I sign up for more.
You trample on my dreams.
I linger by your side.
I bow to your wishes,
my protests
weak and feeble,
not attempts to cut
you loose, strike out
on my own.
What am I without you,
my Dearest Pain?
Today we also had another feedback session. We each read our poem several times and then sit quietly while our classmates comment on our draft. My classmates are wonderful poets each with their own special talents. I truly valued what everyone had to say. Giving feedback doesn't mean that the poet necessarily takes all the suggestions but they're there for the taking. Sometimes, the feedback transforms the poem and sometimes it's best to only use some of the comments. Peter does a fantastic job with feedback and I respect his wisdom and experience. I don't take every word as gospel but I do write it all done, mull it over and go from there.
We also practiced quite a bit for the last day before the closing activities. Peter wanted us to see the room where we would recite our poems and get a feel for the room and the process. We each picked two poems and they were poems that we received feedback on, cleaned up and readied them for the rest of the aTi participants to hear. We practiced our timing as well as our loudness. We had to make sure our voices could be heard throughout the room. There is always a little jittery feeling getting ready to perform in public.
Day 6 - August 1, 2015
We also did some free writing this morning. The free write had to address "making something". Below is the result of my free write. It is untitled as yet. It is by no means done and needs extensive work.
Whenever you make
something
you share a piece
of yourself. Imagine
tiny atoms of your being
that transfer to your creation.
Focus on what
that says about
our connectivity to the world.
Man or woman -
making something,
a house, a poem,
a new life. It's a genesis-
a form of birth.
It's a primordial dance
re-enacted over and over.
This cyclical rotation
is infinite.
Cousins to the sun,
the moon,
we are one in our
desire to make-
something.