Greensboro Public Library Celebrates National Poetry Month

For centuries people have turned to poetry when they were in pain, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. The Power of Poetry is the theme for Poetry GSO this year and the Greensboro Public Library is offering workshops, readings, films and discussions about this topic.

“We have a great lineup this April,” says Steve Sumerford, Director of Poetry GSO. “Our workshops and events will focus on poetry as it relates to emotional and physical healing, social issues, humor and more.”

Author John Fox, one of the foremost experts in the healing power of poetry, will be in Greensboro to lead several workshops. John is the author of Poetic Medicines and founder of The Institute for Poetic Medicine in Palo Alto, California.

Poetry GSO is a monthlong celebration of poetry with events for adults, children, writers and anyone who wants to experience the joy of poetry. The following workshops will be held in early April:

Poetic Medicines: The Healing Art of Poem-Making

Monday, April 2 from 10 am to 3 pm at Central Library

This interactive workshop will elplore writing exercises that tune us in to a variety of experiences including the poetry of earth and spirit, the playfulness and power of language, responding to pain and challenges and more.

Poetry as Healer, Healer as Poet

Tuesday, April 3 from 2 to 5 pm at Central Library

This writing workshop is designed for anyone who works in the fields of healthcare, counseling, hopsice, pastoral care and social work. CEU credit is available.

Poems of Witness: Living with Heart in a Conflicted World

Wednesday, April 4 from 10 am to 3 pm in the Kirkland Room, Elliot Center at UNCG

This workshop is designed to encourage poem-making and sharing that shows the beauty and solace inherent in wrapping our heart’s truth in words and images around the pain of dishonesty, injustice and the violations to our humanness.

All of the workshops are free, but pre-registration is required. Please call 373-3617. For more information, please visit the Poetry GSO website at www.poetrygso.org.