As a kid I was immersed in language; surrounded by stories, music, books, and poetry from many places, perspectives, and eras in time. I’m grateful to have grown up in a community aware of how awfully beautiful the world is; one that nurtured my own creativity, compassion, and critical thinking — and imparted values of generosity, interdependence, social and environmental justice, all of which I find to be cultivated in the practice of River Writing today.
It means a lot to me that the practice is open to anyone and welcoming of everyone who wants to be at the table; a place where we don’t have to fit in or be experienced writers or “get poetry” to belong.
I appreciate how River Writing helps me grow my capacity for being present and paying attention. I love how the structure of the practice supports curiosity and discovery: we write and read without commentary, comparison, critique or praise, without the goal to craft, solve, or prove anything. Each time I get to do it I’m moved by how meaningful it is to be together in this intentional way — facilitating a depth of connection and freedom of expression I find precious and rare.