UM plans poetry, story swap Writers of all ages to join collaboration

ORONO – Read it out loud, stick it on a wall or share it quietly with someone you meet. It’s your poem or story, April 27-28 is the time, and Orono is the place.

The first Maine Poetry and Story Exchange will be held over two days at the University of Maine, sponsored by the English department, SpiritWords-Maine Poetries and the National Poetry Foundation.

Already, the registrants span grade-schoolers and 80-year-olds from around the state.

The intent of the forum, explained Jim Bishop, an instructor in English, is “to create a climate of spirited collaboration and exchange.”

The shape of that conversation, he added, would be determined by the participants, “by the materials of exchange they bring to the gathering – their poems, stories, ideas – and by the collective energy of our collaboration.

“We think that collective energy might just raise the roof a bit, and might reveal new windows onto this common place we call home, and the place of that place in our separate imaginings,” he said.

Activities will include:

. An opening ceremony conducted by members of the Penobscot Nation.

. Open poetry readings.

. Storytelling.

. Discussion sessions on topics such as the importance of place, the imagination’s home, “From” and “From Away,” the loss of voice and its recovery, and how the university can serve.

. Small press, little magazines and writers’ groups.

. An open poetry wall.

. A story quilt.

. Creation of a common home space.

. Fun, food and an informal exchange.

Fees are modest, Bishop explained. The cost of attending all events, without meals, is $5; for events and the April 27 recognition banquet, $10; events and lunch Saturday, $10; events and both meals, $15.

The banquet will honor writers from throughout Maine, and will pay special tribute to the recently deceased poet, Leo Connellan.

Those planning to attend should sign up immediately, and are asked to let organizers know whether they want to share poetry or stories in a small group reading; contribute to the poetry wall; lead a workshop on one of the discussion topics; or share work in other ways.

For information, contact Jim Bishop at 581-3618, or e-mail JimBishop@umit.maine.edu. Regarding the story quilt, e-mail TabithaMorganumit.maine.edu.