Poetry Circle in Sherwood, Under the Trees

We will host small monthly gatherings at our home in Sherwood, Oregon each month, during the winter of 2011-12; typically  with 8-12 people who, either write an occasional poem, read poetry occasionally, or are interested in a poetic manner of thinking. We will gather on a Saturday evening from 5-10 P.M. when enough people have contacted us via email. This is a private gathering by invitation.

If interested, please email us with some background information for you, a contact email, phone, address, and reasons you are interested in attending a PoetSpeak Salon. If you have a recent a poem of your own-or a special poem you treasure, please paste it into the body of your email. We encouraged brief poems that, essentially, fits on one to two 8x11 pages.

A literary “Salon” hails from ageless practices of  people meeting to share, discuss and critique art, community and life  in a safe environment while enjoying some good food.

PoetSpeak Salon is a great opportunity for discussions on livable communities, environment, trails, parks and similar passionate issues, viewed through a viewing glass that 'somehow it all has to fit together like a piece of music, a great song-or, a poem in a manner that allows all of us to understand".

We provide home-made soup and bread, and a relaxed environment, with a cozy fire place. Participants are invited to bring fruits, wine, cheese and similar morsels.

Participants are, generally, a mixture of active artists, their friends and spouses, as well as other creative and proactive people; students, 6-12 are welcome when accompanied by a parent or teacher. Occasionally a musician will sing and play.

We pronounce the word “Salon” as “Saloon” to  emphasize, in part, the relaxed atmosphere and our   casual attitude to literary endeavors. Poetry, and art in general, ought to be " Useful, Enjoyable and Accessible."

Artists are invited to bring a folder of new work and be prepared to share their work with the group, reading one poem at a time. This forum emphasizes listening and suggests silent approval or brief, positive comments, rather than analysis. In the interest of historical continuity, each event will have 1-3 writers who have attended previous PoetSpeak Salons, or have performed at a PoetSpeak performance. It is our intent to support and nurture new and occasional writer of any age, gender or background; young people are encouraged to attend with a parent.

Other creative people invited are musicians, song writers, painters, teachers, philosophers and community activists who may briefly share their passion in the context of comments to a poem, a song or a piece of music.

We will confirm your attendance when sign-ups reach 12-20  interested people, and remind you 7 days before event to see if you are available. We will, at our discretion, invite 6-10 people that appear to share interests, background or passions in a context we feel will be safe and enjoyable. If you have a spouse or friend that is a good listener and a soul mate that you wish to bring, please let us know. If you are unable to attend the first scheduled gathering we will contact you for the following month.

Please email PoetSpeak with your comments; put the words PoetSpeak Salon in subject like along with your full name