Poetry is a unique form of artistic expression that has the ability to captivate our hearts, stir our emotions, and transport us to different worlds with just a few carefully chosen words. It is a medium through which poets distill the complexities of human experience into concise and evocative language, creating works that resonate with readers on a deeply personal level.

Poetry also serves as a mirror to society, reflecting the cultural, social, and political landscapes of the times in which it is written. Poets have long been voices of dissent, protest, and revolution, using their art to challenge norms, question authority, and advocate for change. From the romantic odes of the Romantics to the searing indictments of the Beat poets, poetry has been a powerful tool for speaking truth to power and amplifying marginalized voices. In a world filled with noise and distraction, poetry offers a space for contemplation, introspection, and connection, reminding us of the enduring power of the written word to inspire, provoke, and transform.

Join Village Learning Place this month on Monday, April 22 for a creative writing workshop by our very own Charles Village community member, Shirley Brewer. Shirley J. Brewer is a poet, educator and workshop facilitator. She serves as poet-in-residence at Carver Center for Arts & Technology in Towson. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee, and was interviewed in January 2020 by Maryland poet laureate, Grace Cavalieri, at the Library of Congress for her long-running series, “The Poet and the Poem.” Her poems are now archived at the LOC and – as part of the Lunar Codex program – are currently on the moon! Check out more of her poems at shirleyjbrewer.com.