Poetry in the Park a rewarding experience for budding poets
By Reuben Wadsworth
Zion National Park evokes an emotional response from most of its visitors, but few put those feelings towards the crown jewel of southern Utah scenery on paper. On March 1 at Zion Lodge, Poetry in the Park will provide aspiring writers that opportunity.
Poetry in the Park welds nature and poetry beautifully in its setting in Zion National Park before the major crowds start coming. Sponsored and hosted by the Utah State Poetry Society and Zion National Park Forever Project, the event celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
“This poetry workshop is a marvelous day in early spring in the beauty of Zion Park to be inspired to capture in words the experiences from a nature hike, writing, and being in the park,” said Lin Floyd, chairwoman of Poetry in the Park.
This year, the event will feature award-winning poet and Brigham Young University professor Kimberly Johnson, who will discuss paying attention to details to improve one’s poetry. She is a professor of poetry and Renaissance literature, and although she was a biology major in college, she has made her career as a poet, literary critic, and teacher. Her collections of poetry include “Leviathan with a Hook,” “A Metaphorical God,” “and Uncommon Prayer. She tries to advocate for the importance of paying attention to the tiniest, most specific details — both in perception and in the fine discriminations of language.
Retired educator LaVerna Johnson started Poetry in the Park 10 years ago when she was president of Utah State Poetry Society as a way to bring outstanding poet to Zion National Park to educate writers as well as college and high school students in the area. The Zion National Park Forever Project has provided leadership and facilities as well as free park passes for those participating. The two local Utah State Poetry chapters, Dixie Poets and Redrock Writers, have arranged for poets from across the nation to teach and mentor those participating.
In addition to a presentation by the visiting poet, the event also includes a guided nature hike, silent poetry writing time, and time to share the very poetry participants write the day of the event. Tuition for the event is $50 for adults and $20 for students accompanied by their teachers. To register and for more information, visit zionpark.org/event/poetry-in-the-park/?tickets_process=#buy-tickets.
The deadline to receive a parks pass with registration is Feb. 15.
Johnson will also give a free lecture at Springdale’s Canyon Community Center Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
Poetry in the Park can be part of a two-for-one writing weekend by attending the Redrock Writers Seminar in St. George March 2. For more information on the seminar, visit redrockwriters.org/seminar_2019_registration.
Reuben Wadsworth is an English and creative writing teacher at Hurricane Middle School.
