We Are Winter Poets.

welcoming winter with poetry (+ a giveaway!)

Friends,

How are you?

Winter is approaching, and I’m thinking about the ways we perceive Winter, how it shows up to us. Last night I did an online event with Charis Bookstore & Charis Circle, and aside from reading Winter’s Gifts we chatted about our relationship to Winter, what it gives us, what it asks of us, and how we hold space there.

People shared about how Winter is sometimes a difficult, dark time, but that there is coziness and light. Others shared about how they need to gather with friends and remember belonging, and the importance of play and curiosity, seeking to find that snowy magic like we did when we were kids.

Photo by Zachary Nelson on Unsplash

So as Winter approaches, I’m already asking what it has to teach me. And I think it’s important to really pause and give this some thought, because, after all, we have the next four-ish months in this season, a time to go inward and ask questions.

We don’t have to pressure ourselves to hold goals for the next year, but we can ask what we are going to hold for the next season, and that’s a different thing. There is care and expectation to hold there.

I think about my book Living Resistance—we are entering winter, the personal realm, the time to focus on our heart, on self-love, a time of hibernation in many ways.

And what I want for us as Winter approaches is to claim not just our own season of hibernation and introspection, rest and care, but to also embrace the power of words, of poetry.

So, a special 10 days of poetry prompts focused on the gifts of winter!

From December 20th to the 30th, you’ll get a daily prompt to write a poem or even a story (let it remain flexible and expansive!) and we will explore themes from Winter’s Gifts (grab your copy now if you haven’t already!).

We aren’t writing poetry into the new calendar year because I don’t want us focused so much on that right now—the new year will come, we will celebrate or explore that however we usually do—but this space from the 20th to the 30th is to welcome in Winter, to ask what is there for us.

December 21st is Winter Solstice, and I encourage you to find a tender and connective way to celebrate, whether it’s through a meal with friends and family or a quiet ritual by candlelight.

Through the 30th (and hopefully into the coming cold months), create space to spend time with words and poetry, with your quiet thoughts, and let them ease you into an awareness that can expand your connection to Winter, to your body and soul, and to Mother Earth.

So mark your calendars for December 20th!

Can’t wait to explore words with you.

Photo by Colby Thomas on Unsplash

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And now for something really exciting— A GIVEAWAY!

But not just any giveaway—

I’m giving away TWO signed books by my friend Katherine May—Wintering and Enchantment!

If you’ve read Katherine’s work, you know how kind, curious, and wise she is, alongside being a worldwide best-selling author who is incredibly talented at what she does. I’m so excited to partner with her to give away these two books!

Wintering was one of the first books I ever listened to fully on audiobook. Katherine’s stories, research, and tender prompts kept me engaged and asking really big questions of my own life, body, and experiences.

I read Enchantment the week that my book Living Resistance came out back in March. I remember finishing it as I was sitting at the beach, at the tail end of attending the Aspen Climate conference in Florida. Katherine’s words and stories about what it means to be human, to hold hope, to face hopelessness, to ask deep questions, was and continues to be a balm for me.

To enter, comment on this post with something you’re looking forward to this winter season.

I will choose a winner and respond to the winner’s comment on Friday, December 15th.

And please go subscribe to Katherine’s wonderful Substack, The Clearing, to join her inspiring community.

Onward, into cozy season!