What’s the story?

That’s always my question when I witness an interesting situation, event, person . . . or start a Writers’ Window post.

front L-R: Julie,Laura, Doris, Connie, Andy
back L-R: Martha, Ev, Joy, Donna, Kim, Barbara, Claire, Pat, Roxanne, Judith

This past Sunday I was part of December Tales~Gifts of Poetry, Memoir, Fantasy and More! Most of the writers and poets are also part of the Vistas~Vision and Verse exhibit at the Springs House Gallery. A year ago none of us would have imagined either event taking place. During the summer we still weren’t sure!

What began as a ‘What if . . .’ in March blossomed into a poetry/art opening that drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory for exhibit openings at the Springs House Gallery. Guest lingered for two hours reading the poetry and taking in the accompanying art that inspired it – ekphrastic poetry. The beautiful stairway in the picture was the setting for our poetry reading.

Sunday’s event filled a gallery to the point we had to bring in extra chairs, as the writers this time held a formal reading. The guests received gifts in tidbits and teasers from a woman’s story about her Tahitian mother, another’s murder mystery that ended at just the right spot, and a sensuous wedding evening between a human and a siriad. They heard poetry that caught their breath with beauty and poignancy, and one hilarious poem that had all of us tapping our feet to the beat of a rap about eating on Thanksgiving.

They would never guess that it was one writer’s first public reading. For another, her stage fright almost caused her to back out the night before. The one who rapped about ‘the gobbler’ is so quiet, until her poetry so fills her lungs and heart that she can get a whole room bouncing.

I’m still giddy and in awe of my friends and fellow writers in what we accomplished in the journey from March to December. Not just these two events, but as writers and poets.

And that’s the story. ‘What if . . . ‘ then the characters come alive, take off, and do surprising – amazing – things.

And the result is definitely gift.