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June ArtsXchange Literary: Word Nerds, Poetry Family Reunions & Legendary Adventures
- Theresa Davis
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
If there is one thing June confirmed, it's this: our literary community is full of wonderfully curious people who will happily follow me down the most delightfully nerdy writing rabbit holes.
And for that, I am forever grateful.
Thinking in Chains: The Blitz Takes Over
Our Second Saturday Writing Workshop was called Thinking in Chains, where we explored the wonderfully chaotic and addictive Blitz poem, a form created by Robert Keim.
The Blitz is fast. It's repetitive. It's associative. One phrase grabs the next by the hand and says, "Come on, we're going this way!" Before you know it, you've wandered into ideas you never intended to write about.
It's the literary version of following one internet link after another until somehow you've ended up learning about octopuses, ancient Rome, and sourdough starters.
I wasn't sure where we'd end up, but our fearless group embraced the adventure. By the end of the workshop, we'd created not just Blitz poems, but four different pieces inspired by the process: a prewrite, a poem, a prose piece, and even short fiction.
Every month I wonder, "Will they indulge another one of my word nerd experiments?"
Every month the answer is a joyful, enthusiastic yes.
I couldn't ask for a better group of writers.
A Mini Poetry Family Reunion
Our June XChange Open Mic felt less like an event and more like a family reunion.
With Nate Mask visiting from out of state, it didn't take long before familiar faces from the old Java Monkey days began appearing. Suddenly the room was filled with Carlos, Adan, Kayla, Zach, Anisa, Kini, Khalil and friends who reminded us that poetry communities have a way of finding each other again.
There were hugs. There was laughter. There were stories.
Most importantly, there was incredible poetry.
We also welcomed several new performers who fit right in, making for one of those evenings where music and spoken word reminded us exactly why we gather in the first place.
Old friends.
New friends.
Same love for the arts.
That's a pretty good recipe for an unforgettable night.
We Are the Living Legend
Our Fourth Saturday Writing Workshop took us on yet another glorious word nerd expedition.
We Are the Living Legend: A Myth-Making Workshop on Resilience, Activism & Ancestral Storytelling invited participants to think about the stories we inherit—and the ones we still need to tell.
Our opening question was deceptively simple:
"What story about your family or community gets told again and again?"
That single question opened the door to conversations about myths surrounding the communities we belong to, stereotypes that persist, cherished family stories, and perhaps the most important question of all:
What stories are missing?
From there we explored one of my absolute favorite poetic forms—the pantoum.
I have a confession.
When I'm stuck...
When inspiration refuses to answer my calls...
When my writing decides it's on vacation...
I write a pantoum.
The repeating lines somehow trick my brain into discovering ideas I didn't know were waiting. Almost every time, the poem surprises me and points me toward something entirely new.
Judging by the writing shared in the room, I wasn't the only one who fell in love with the form.
And then something wonderfully unexpected happened...
We celebrated our very first Writing Workshop Friendship Date!
One participant bought a workshop registration as a birthday gift for a friend.
Honestly?
That's probably one of my favorite birthday presents I've ever witnessed.
Coffee dates are nice.
Dinner dates are lovely.
But a birthday built around poetry and creativity?
That's my kind of celebration.
We welcomed lots of new faces, filled pages with fresh poems, and left reminded once again that writing is always better when shared.
Looking Ahead...
I'm already plotting our next literary adventure (because apparently I can't help myself).
And don't forget...
July's XChange Open Mic is also a Poetry Slam!
Dust off those poems.
Step up to the mic.
Throw your words in the ring.
You just might leave with applause, bragging rights, and enough prize money to put a little gas in the tank.
We'll see you next month.
Bring a notebook.
Bring a friend.
And bring your favorite words.
