When a group of poets got together to organize the upcoming Burning Word poetry festival, being poets, they set their sights on the stars. Their high-thinking paid off, as they have landed a luminary of the poetic world to headline the inaugaural one-day festival at Greenbank Farm April 24.
Internationally acclaimed poet Tess Gallagher will read from her body of work at the festival, and accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from the sponsoring Washington Poets Association.
“Through our daring and her graciousness it came to be,” organizer Victory Schouten said.
Gallagher lives in her hometown on the Olympic Peninsula, but she is known world-wide for her way with words. Her list of publications, awards and achievements runs 23 pages. She has a master’s of arts degree from University of Washington and a master’s of fine art in creative writing from the presitgious Iowa Writer’s Workshop at University of Iowa.
She has written nine books of poetry, including “Portable Kisses,” 1992, and “Soul Barnacles: On the Literature of a Relationship: Tess Gallagher and Raymond Carver,” 2000.
Her short stories can be found in “The Lover of Horses,” 1986, and “At the Owl Woman Saloon,” 1999.
In addition to her own work, she is the literary executor for the estate of her late husband, short story writer Raymond Carver.
Despite her list of accomplishments, Gallagher is flattered to be recognized by the poets in her own backyard.
“To be honored by the poets in my own state, that has to be the biggest joy,” she said in a recent phone interview. “It’s a piece of delicious lightening.”
Gallagher describes her poems as “narrative with a lyrical impetus that carries the story.”
She hasn’t selected what she will read for her Burning Word appearance, but it may be something from the book she is working on, “Dear Ghosts,” which she describes as a study of the way in which the past and those who have passed on still have a place in our lives.
She crafts her poems to elicit emotion from the reader, and every poem is a personal experience.
“Poems are a conversation for me,” she said, “with myself and the people whose paths intersect mine. I hope the reader will be moved to come into the place I am in the poem.”
The Burning Word festival is likely to draw a crowd of poetry lovers, and Gallagher said she always looks forward to reading to such an empathetic group.
“As a poet, I have the greatest audience in the universe,” she said.
Gallagher will read for approximately 20 minutes, while other poets on the program will read from five to 15 minutes.
“The readings will be fast and exciting,” Schouten said. “If you don’t like a poet, wait 15 minutes.”
Twenty-two poets will take to the stage during the day-long festival, ranging from nature poet Tim McNulty, who also lives on the Olympic Peninsula, and “Poet Populist” Tara Hardy from Seattle, to spoken-word artist Carrington MacDuffie and “hot young” Orcas Island poet Dustin Miguel Fox.
The festival will also feature poetry workshops, such as “Guerilla Poetry,” designed to help writers expand their vision; “Come to Your Senses: A Haiku Workshop,” which shows the Japanese poetry form is more than “5-7-5,” and “Stepping Away from Logic,” a workshop designed to release pent-up creativity.
Festival-goers can also attend a grant writing workshop specifically geared to writers, taught by Fionn Meade, Artist Trust’s Director of Grant Programs, and Susan Zwinger will give participants a chance to take in the poetic inspiration of Greenbank Farm with a “Nature Walk Workshop,” taking a trip around the trails, culminating in a poetry exercise.
Entertainment for the day will be provided by Sister Monk Harem, Trickster Hero Orchestra and performance poet Jane Winslow.
Sister Monk Harem, from Seattle and New York, is a lively group which plays a range of songs from “tangy folk” and deep-bottomed Brazilian grooves to middle-eastern trance to Celtic revelry, according to festival organizers.
Trickster Hero Orchestra combine spoken word, improvisational jazz and a touch of surrealism in their creative storytelling, which includes a 10 minute “Exploration of the Word ‘Aquavelva.’”
Whidbey Island resident Jane Winslow brings her talents as a singer/songwriter and actress to her lively performance poetry. She is a full-time instructor of video, cinema, writing and drama at Shoreline Community College.
There will also be a small press and book fair, and apoetry book exchange.
Schouten said Burning Word should have something for everyone — poetry lovers and skeptics alike.
Festival information
Burning Word takes place Aprul 24, 9 a.m to 6 p.m. at Greenbank Farm.
All day passes are $12 adults, $6 students
For tickets send payment to Karen Bonaudi, WPA Treasurer, 721 Schooner Court, Moses Lake, WA 89837
Barn capacity is 250 people.
Volunteers are needed, and will receive a free pass. Call Victory Schouten at 360-331-7099.
