#poetry and art

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Write a Strong Opening to Bring Your Reader In

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Writing an opening, a foreword to a book, a first line that will encourage your reader to continue is a challenge.

The tone for a trial is set by the lawyer’s opening statement. It’s the first opportunity to make an impression, to frame the narrative. In your writing, your introduction serves the same purpose.

Start with a strong statement. Hook your reader with a provocative statement. “Call me Ismael” brings you right into Moby Dick. It’s an invitation you can’t refuse.

Lawyers build their cases on evidence. They introduce facts, exhibits, testimonies to support their opening statement. Your introduction should also be grounded in facts.

Lawyers question witnesses to strengthen their case and counter opposing arguments. As a writer, you should think about and address counterarguments to your opening, including opposing views. Provide a thoughtful counter-argument. Consider all sides of the issue and enhance your reliability.

In all of these ways you will have an opening that will encourage people to continue reading.

In the case of a poetry collection, like Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth, the artist, Irene Christensen and I, put the strongest paintings and poems up front. There are 27 paintings and poems in a 60-page manuscript. We began with poems that editors had chosen for publication and with paintings that had been curated for international shows.

I’ll be blogging on Thursdays, following the progress of our manuscript, Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth. And writing about the writer’s process. Follow me here.

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Enjoying the Process, As Well as the Product

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“What keeps life fascinating is the constant creativity of the soul.” —Deepak Chopra

In the pursuit of success, we often focus on the end result. In so doing, we neglect interest in the journey because we want to get there as soon as possible or we lose the desire to even reach the destination.

Many artists focus on the final product, but the secret is in enjoying the process of creation

The process itself is a reward. The creative journey should interest you far more than reaching the destination. I am currently working on a manuscript, Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth, with the Norwegian artist, Irene Christensen.

We forget forget to enjoy the journey, and in effect, we lose our desire to even reach the destination.Sylvia Plath said, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.

Creativity holds great significance when it comes to connecting with our soul or authentic self.

By tuning into that creative fire that burns within, we can connect more powerfully with the soul. For some people, creativity can even be more affective at this than meditation.

When we make room for creativity in our lives and activate our creative muscles, it can be transformative. It can strengthen our intuition, release stagnant energy, and align with our larger project, like writing a book or composing a song.

I will be blogging on Thursdays. Follow me here for the journey of the manuscript, Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth.

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Publication in Pineapple

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I am delighted to have my poem “Toast in Costa Rica”

published in Pineapple, the online literary zine of

The Gallery of Readers. Take a look:

Click to access Toast-in-Costa-Rica-by-Eileen-Kennedy.pdf

You can also subscribe to Pineapple by just listing your email with them here:

https://galleryofreaders.org/category/pineapple-zine/

Or you can visit the Gallery of Readers Press, a small, excellent publisher, and see its amazing list of books:

Gallery of Readers

I’ll be blogging on Thursdays. Follow me here.

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Congratulating Yourself on Finishing a Piece of Writing

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As writers, we often feel that we don’t do enough. We don’t put enough hours into our writing,

we don’t do enough research before writing, and we don’t publish enough. When you finish a

piece of writing, give yourself a pat on the back: You finished a piece of creative writing—

something many attempt, but not quite as many achieve. I recently finished a manuscript called

Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth. I collaborated on it with the

Norwegian Artist, Irene Christensen. It’s a collection about the climate crisis and women at the

heart of it. I feel good about completing it.

Some writers consider the worth of their writing in the published pieces, but others don’t even

attempt to publish. The reward for them is in the process. You can share your writing at an

open-mic reading. You can post it online or bring it to an in-person writing group for

constructive critique. You can send it to a friend.

You can send it to a literary journal or an agent for possible publication, but that’s a topic for

another blog. As writers, we need to acknowledge our accomplishments for ourselves.

I’ll be blogging Thursdays about the writing process. Follow me here.

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The Journey of an Eco-poetry Manuscript

Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth

Manuscripts are not easy to put together, especially when they’re a collaboration. I have a new manuscript of eco-poetry that I am collaborating on with the Norwegian artists, Irene Christensen. I would like to write about the different stages of developing and publishing a manuscript.

The project started one winter at an artist colony, The Julia and David White Artist Colony, that sits on a naturally spectacular 17-acre rain forest, is in Costa Rica.  We both shared a love of this beautiful country. I was drawn to Irene’s evocative full-color paintings. Irene expressed admiration for my poetry.  I gave Irene a copy of my second poetry collection, Touch My Head Softly (Finishing Line Press, 2021) and she gave me her painting, “Volcano Flower.”  This interaction started a conversation that over a two-year period developed into the manuscript, Dread and  Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Planet.

The current collection comes from our common interest in natural beauty, the complex relationship between living things and the atmosphere, stopping exploitation of the earth that spans geographical and historical borders, and the feminine care at the center of environmentalism.

Irene worked on a series of art pieces  about women at the heart of the environmental justice movement.   I observed the creation of many of these remarkable paintings and wrote a series of ekphrastic poems, or written responses, to them.  We nurtured our creativity and friendship through this process.

Irene’s paintings unfold as the world heats up and becomes more and more unlivable. She creates images through the eyes of children,  mythical characters like trolls and goddesses, and the lenses of women witnessing the dying globe.  I reinforce this journey in words, giving verbal credence to Irene’s vision, and mine, of the future.

I hope to blog about our journey as the manuscript goes through different stages and if we can even find a publisher. Follow me here on Thursdays to continue this journey.

I Feel Close to Nature Too. Acrylic, 22” x 30” by Irene Christensen

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Perilous Journey Painting and Poem to be on Display for the Holiday Season at Interfaith Galleries from November 17 to January 4

My poem “Perilous Journey” will be displayed with the painting of the same name by Irene Christensen at the ground floor Galleries of the Interchurch Center, 61 Claremont Avenue at 120th St., from November 17, 2023 to January 4, 2024. In addition, Irene will exhibit eight accordion books (5 from inspiration from her AIRIE residency in the Everglades,Florida) and 20 oil paintings. There will also be artwork by Allison Green and Sandra Mack-Valencia. The Interchurch Center is a a not-for-profit building built by the Rockefellers in 1950.

Take the #1 Subway to 116th Street and walk. The poem is from the manuscript, Dreadful Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Planet by Irene Christensen and Eileen P. Kennedy. I will blog on Thursdays again beginning January, 2024.

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Rich Michelson to Read at Two Locations on Saturday, October 28th in Amherst, MA

You have two opportunities to hear the accomplished poet, Rich Michelson read from his new book, Sleeping As Fast As I Can (Slant Books, 2023), in Amherst, MA. He will read morning and evening on Saturday, October 28. See details below.

Rich Michelson, will also read at Applewood Retirement Community, 1 Spencer Drive, at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 28. Stop by the front desk, sign in, and go to the Meeting Room.

I will be blogging on Thursdays follow me here.

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Michelle Takarczyk will read September 28 at 6:30 pm at the Hudson Park Library, NYC

TRAVEL WRITING REIMAGINED: A READING FROM GALAPAGOS: ISLAS ENCANTADAS

Michelle M. Tokarczyk will read from her recently published book. She will talk about the inspiration for the poems and the process of composing them. Her presentation will include stunning pictures of the Galapagos. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. Michelle M. Tokarczyk has authored two other poetry books: The House I’m Running From and Bronx Migrations.

Her poems have been published in numerous journals and anthologies and have received nominations for Pushcart and Best of the Net Awards. Tokarczyk was raised in a working-class family in New York City. For many years, she was a professor of English at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. Now, she again lives full-time in New York City’s Chelsea. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 6:30 PM.

Michelle M. Tokarczyk has authored two other poetry books: The House I’m Running From and Bronx Migrations. Her poems have been published in numerous journals and anthologies and have received nominations for Pushcart and Best of the Net Awards. Tokarczyk was raised in a working-class family in New York City. For many years, she was a professor of English at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. Now, she again lives full-time in New York City’s Chelsea.

HUDSON PARK LIBRARY 66 LEROY STR, NEW YORK, NY 10014 | 212-243-6876 | MONDAY-FRIDAY 10-6; SATURDAY 10-5; SUNDAY CLOSED.

I will blog on Thursdays. Follow me here.

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Ekphrastic Reading Tonight at the Easthampton Art Walk

I will be reading a poem about a Shotei print, “Coming Ships,” along with many other poets, like Jennifer Delozier. The reading will take place at 5 pm on Thursday, September 14 at Eastworks, Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery at 116 Pleasant Street, Suite #226. It’s on the second floor, and there will be a flag signaling the gallery in the hallway.

The Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery features prints by many Japanese artists, including Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei,) Kiyoharu (Ginnosuke)Yokouchi, and Hiroshi Yoshida. The Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery curates Japanese woodblock prints that touch the soul and imagination.

The Easthampton Art Walk will feature works by several galleries, but Moonlit Sea Prints in Eastworks will sponsor a reading in conjunction with their Japanese Woodblock Print Show “Stories With Shotei.”

The show will continue for a two-month period at Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery. I will continue to blog on Thursdays. If you have any readings coming up, let me know. I’ll blog them here.

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Ekphrastic Reading September 14 at Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery in Easthampton Massachusetts

The Easthampton Art Walk will feature works by several galleries, but Moonlit Sea Prints in Eastworks will sponsor a reading in conjunction with their Japanese Woodblock Print Show “Stories With Shotei.”

The Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery features prints by many Japanese artists, including Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei,) Kiyoharu (Ginnosuke)Yokouchi, and Hiroshi Yoshida. The Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery curates Japanese woodblock prints that touch the soul and imagination.

I will be reading a poem about a Shotei print, “Coming Ships,” along with many other poets, like Jennifer Delozier, who will be reading about “Two Ladies Catching Fireflies.” The reading will take place at 5 pm on Thursday, September 14 at Eastworks, Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery at 116 Pleasant Street, Suite #226. It’s on the second floor, and there will be a flag signaling the gallery in the hallway. A QR code next to the prints will allow you to read the poems on your smart phone.

Hiroaki Takahashi Shotei was a Japanese woodblock print artist of the early 20th century in the shin-hanga art movement whose work generally focused around beautiful landscapes and scenes of everyday life. Many of his works are beautiful vignettes, many easily leading the viewer to imagine the stories transpiring within the images. Moonlit Sea Prints of Easthampton MA will be presenting this exhibit, “Stories with Shotei,” showcasing the works of Hiroaki Takahashi Shotei paired with short stories

The show will continue for a two-month period at Moonlit Sea Prints Gallery. I will continue to blog on Thursdays. If you have any readings coming up, let me know. I’ll blog them here.