A Poet's Journey

Most journeys begin with the first step, possibly a step into the unknown or a leisurely stroll down familiar streets. A poet’s journey, on the other hand, begins with the first observation. Poets tend to walk in lockstep with the old adage, “look before you leap,” and if you should find yourself tumbling through space, be sure to capture your observations of those experiences using concise, powerful language that invokes descriptive images.
For the past four years, a group of poets have been meeting at the Edmonds Library on the second Tuesday of the month to create, critique, improve, and share their poetic observations. This monthly gathering is free and is sponsored by the cooperative efforts of  EPIC Group Writers and Sno-Isle Libraries. All are welcome.
 
The poetry group is comprised of curious individuals who share diverse thoughts  highlighted by different life experiences. The outcome of our gatherings consistently produce thought-provoking poems that sometimes elicit tears, laughter, or on rare occasions, a few good-natured, but heated, disagreements.      
 
As poets we see, smell, touch, and feel our way through life. Somethings that we encounter are experienced at the surface, some are ethereal, and some hide in the  deep, dark crevices of our underpinnings.
 
We observe, digest and express. A life ignored is a life lost. A life observed is a life lived. For us, poetry is a journey best spent in the company of fellow travelers. 



​Gerald Bigelow was published in the Arizona Centennial Anthology and in Between the Lines. He is a board member for EPIC Group Writers and chairs a monthly poetry group, and edited and contributed to Soundings from the Salish Sea (A Pacific Northwest Poetry Anthology).
 
In 2019, Bigelow was selected to read his poetry with the Washington State Poet Laureate. He helped establish a bi-monthly Poet’s Corner featurette in My Edmonds News to show case the work of local poets. Bigelow has a new book of poetry on Amazon
Titled, Memories Looking Through a Screen Door.

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