Taking Your Poetic Pulse: Writing Grief, Gratitude, and Joy

Processing grief can be deeply personal and different for everyone. Grief can make its home in our bodies, in our hearts, in our minds, in the spaces loved ones once occupied. It can call out to us from objects, articles of clothing, food, and street corners. Where does your grief live? How do you live with your grief? How can poetry become a space of communal grieving where we can lean on each other’s words for comfort, clarity, and empathy?

In these generative writing workshops facilitated by Nadia Misir, participants will gather virtually to read and discuss poems that explore themes of grief, gratitude, and joy. We will think about and discuss different craft techniques and forms each poet uses to make their griefs, joys and gratitudes come to life on the page. Each writing session will include three writing exercises and time for participants to share what they’ve worked on.