New Visiting POET for Poetry in the Park

Because of ill health Jim Barton won't be teaching for us this year, but we are excited to have SHANAN BALLAM of Utah State University's English Department joining us in our three days of poetry activities in Southern Utah in early spring. An award winning poet, exciting teacher of poetry and creative writing, Shanan will be presenting some fun ideas on how to improve our poetry skills. She has chosen the theme for her presentations as A CELEBRATION OF SOUND AND SENSE. 

She says: Poets of all ages and levels of experience will benefit from this energetic workshop where participants will learn and practice basic poetic sound techniques, such as alliteration and other kinds of sonic repetition. We will use our experience in the park to gather sensory details and images for poems. Using poetry exercises as a guide, and using the materials we have generated and gathered during the workshop and our experiences in the park, we will write poems that will surprise and delight writers and audiences alike.
 
This year's POETRY IN THE PARK will be held Friday, March 2, 2018 at Zion Park Lodge from 9 am to 4 pm. Register by Feb 15th to receive your free Zion Park pass. Fee-$55, register online zionpark.org/programs/

Come early for a free ZARTS LECTURE by Shanan on Thursday, March 1 at Canyon community Center in Springdale at 7 pm. Inexpensive lodging available in Springdale, come join us before the crowds and shuttles begin. Note there is some construction in Springdale city so come early.

Stay overnight in St. George and enjoy REDROCK CREATIVE WRITING SEMINAR on Saturday, March 3 from 9 am to 1:30 pm featuring Shanan Ballam and others Dr. Cindy King of DSU's English Dept. and Lara Candland-another award winning poet. Details at redrockwriters.org

Meet a new member WILLIAM KOFOED

          William A. Kofoed was born in Logan Utah and now lives in Magna Utah. He was a member of Mormon Youth Chorus and the Jay Welch Chorale, and is a published photographer. He started writing poetry in high school and has been published in Poetry Quarterly. With three self-published books of poetry , he is currently finishing his fourth book of poetry. He has a youtube  channel,  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprIXBJR0qY2voBDuUAmyyQ and a blog, https://williamakofoed.wordpress.com and a webpage, www.kofoedprojects.com. Some of his works can be seen on; Poetry.com  Allpoetry.com  Postpoems.com His poem below was published in Poetry Quarterly.

GENTLE THOUGHTS

A flowing line
A gentle thought
A sweet memory
Of loving you
Time has past
It was long ago
Yet these things
Still stir me
Still I sigh
And I long
For your touch
To feel again
Long ago
Still it is sweet
Yes these things
Still stir me