Like many English language arts teachers, I felt woefully unprepared to teach writing in part because I only had one formal methods course and very little experience writing various genres and forms myself. I think I resisted writing, especially poetry, because of the whispers of doubt that haunted me as I tried to express what I was feeling or thinking. I worried about what was “good” and “right.” The page was always there waiting for me, but I resisted.
It wasn’t until I experienced the reciprocity of writing poetry that I realized that my hesitations were impacting any opportunity my students would have to discover their own writing identities. It was a student who shared a poem about their father that gave me the idea to write about my own. And it was knowing that they would only appreciate and not critique my efforts that gave me the courage to share it with them.
What I understand now is what Bob Yagelski called “writing as a way of being.” I feel, and in many ways am, more present and connected to my whole self when writing poetry, but, for me, it is not enough to write in isolation. Having someone to listen and witness my life, whatever lines and stanzas I choose to share, makes me keep coming back to the page, makes me feel seen. And this has been especially important during so many months of physical isolation.
This is all to say that as much as I know what poetry does for me, I struggle to carve time and space to nurture my poetry life. Call it accountability. Call it discipline. What I know I need (and apparently others, too) is someone to listen.
We call it Open Write: five days a month to write alongside other educators without judgment, only praise (and a lot of grace).
Open Write is possible because we reciprocate in the creating, writing, and reading of poetry. Different educators from across the country create the inspirations each month. Yes, we write poetry, but perhaps what is more important is that we read one another’s poems and in doing so, we witness each other’s lives. And people are free to come and go, accept or reject a topic for their poem, and borrow/modify prompts for their own classrooms. All free of cost or credit or requirement.
Open Write 2021 was nurtured by the beautiful people pictured here, many more who wrote, and even more who continue to visit each month (and may write for the first time in 2022). There were over 100,000 views and 15,000 poems and responses this year.
So thank you, Susie Morice, Stacy Joy, Allison Berryhill, David Duer, Rex Muston, Rachelle Lipp, Kim Johnson, Katrina Morrison, Denise Krebs, Anna J. Small Roseboro, Mo Daley, Tracie McCormick, Jennifer Guyor Jowett, Tammi Belko, Judi Opager, Barb Edler, Cara Fortey, Andy Schoenborn, Margaret Simon, Linda Mitchell, and Maureen Young Ingram.
Please enjoy a look at all the open write inspirations from 2021, and join us January 15-19th for the launch of the 2022 Open Write series. Subscribe (on the right) to receive email notices.
Your Turn
In the comments, please share your memories and impactful moments from Open Write 2021!
Sarah,
Thank you for bringing this phenomenal yet challenging year together like this. It’s proof of how much writing, sharing, and healing we’ve done here in this supportive community. I appreciate you and everyone here!
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Stacey