It was a crisp early Spring morning in Zion Park-Mar 22, 2013.
Time for Poetry In the Park, now in its fourth year
partially funded by Utah State Division of Arts & Museums,
and Natl. Endowment of the Arts plus the partnership of
Utah State Poetry Society and Zion Natural History Association.
(l-r) Lyman Hafen of Zion Natural History Association
welcomes Lance Larsen our new Utah Poet Laureate, NEA
Fellow in Poetry, and English Professor at BYU
Held at the historic Zion Nature Center inside Zion Natl. Park
LaVerna Johnson began Poetry In the Park four years ago
with the support of Gary Christian of Redrock Writers Guild.
Lance taught two excellent workshops on "Coaxing the Muse"
and "Revising the Muse" to a full classroom
of students which included beginners to more experienced poets.
The day was full with time to write new poems plus
enjoy a guided nature walk with our knowledgeable
naturalist guide Michael Plyer of Zion Canyon Field Institute.
It was a productive, enjoyable day of writing, exploring
and making new friends while eating our sack lunches.
There were 32 who registered for this event.
Too soon it was time to say "Thanks, Lance
for an excellent presentation and sharing
your talents as a poet and inspiring teacher."
This year's new Chair of Poetry In the Park is
Lin Floyd who organized and publicized this event
including the scholarshiping of three teachers from Washington
County School District and two high school students: Jadie Bell and
above Natalie Scoresby who is sharing a poem with the group.
It was a full day of creativity and self expression plus
nature viewing of the wild-life in Zion National Park.
Hope you'll plan to join us next Spring. Poet TBA.
(Photos from Thaya Gilmore and Lin Floyd)
(Photos from Thaya Gilmore and Lin Floyd)
