Join RRU Salt Spring Island Poets in Residence Ali Blythe and Melanie Siebert for a free community poetry workshop exploring poetic attention: the movement between close observation of the material world and the singular inner experience through which we perceive it.

Through guided prompts, individual writing, and optional sharing, participants will explore how moving between these registers can bring electricity and veracity to a poem.

The residency reflects RRU Salt Spring Island’s emerging vision as a place where students, scholars, researchers, writers, artists, musicians and other members of the community can exchange ideas, reflect on life experiences and, through engagement and collaboration, grow and share knowledge.

Melanie Siebert is the award-winning author of two poetry collections that draw on her work as a wilderness river guide and therapist to explore ecology, embodiment and deep time. Ali Blythe is the author of three poetry books exploring transpoetics and completed a Master of Arts at Royal Roads University, where his research examined artist- and writer-in-residence programs at universities across Canada.

When: Sept. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Bloom Castle by the Sea, Salt Spring Island
Cost: Free
Who: Open to Salt Spring Island residents at any level of writing experience. Space is limited to 10 participants. Advance registration is required and a waitlist is available.
Accessibility: Entry to the workshop space requires stairs, and washrooms are not wheelchair accessible. Accessibility improvements are a priority in Royal Roads University’s long-term plans for the property.

Learn more and request a place: https://www.royalroads.ca/events/poetic-attention-poetry-workshop