I will be the first to admit I'm a complainer. You name it, I can think of a reason to complain about it. (Well, mostly. I mean chocolate is kind of hard to complain about, except when there isn't enough or it isn't the kind I really like.) See what I mean? Anyway, this afternoon I did NOT want to complain. I felt incredibly lucky. I was at an elementary school for their Poet's Tea celebrations. I recently worked with the third grade, and today was the day we invited their families to hear them read a poem aloud and enjoy punch and cookies. I visited each class (5 in this case) and saw parents, grandparents and shining-proud children. And I was struck by how lucky I am to be immersed in such goodness. Yes, goodness. There's no other way to say it. The children were so proud of what they'd written, and I and their teachers and families were proud of them too. A few individuals were too shy, but the vast majority of children shared a poem and themselves through it. It amazes me that I get to help hundreds of children write poems every year. And I've been doing this for nearly 15 years. That's a lot of children and poems and proud families! I am so thankful to be able to go into classrooms and share different ways to write poems. I'm so thankful for the teachers who fill out the grant applications, but I'm even more thankful to the children who try new things and discover and reveal themselves through their poems. I'm continually impressed with their bravery and willingness to leap into the unfamiliar. They are such good teachers.
Today one of them made up this saying: Life gave you a spotlight, now do your dance.
Yes, dance, dance, dance.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Poems are Meant to be Heard, a podcast and a few dates
A week ago today, Sam and I were part of a wonderful event at The Pratt Library. Joined by another married poet couple, Jane Satterfield and Ned Balbo, we each read a few poems and answered questions from the audience about being poets and being poets married to poets. It was a really lovely evening, but don't feel too bad that you didn't make it, because they've produced a podcast of it! You can listen to the whole event here:
http://www.prattlibrary.org/booksmedia/podcasts/index2.aspx?ID=72710
And I hope you will. And if you're so inclined, you could come say hello at these other events:
Friday, March 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sam Schmidt and Virginia Crawford
read. The Poet Experience. Zü Coffee. 934 Bay Ridge Rd. Annapolis,
MD.
Friday, April 6, 6pm. The Ragged Edge Coffeehouse. 110 Chambersburg
Street. Gettysburg, PA. Sam Schmidt and Virginia Crawford.
Saturday, April 7, 5 p.m. Publication party, reading, and signing for
Suburban Myths. Minás Gallery and Boutique. 815 W. 36th St.
Baltimore, MD.
Saturday, April 14, 12 noon. CityLit Festival (10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Sam
will be part of Inner and Outer Space: Poets and the Importance of
Place. Readings by Michael Fallon (The Great Before and After), Sam
Schmidt (Suburban Myths), and Jennifer Wallace (It Can Be Solved By
Walking). Moderated by Stephen Reichert, Editor, Smartish Pace. Enoch
Pratt Central Library. 400 Cathedral Street. Baltimore, MD.
Happy Reading and Writing. Hope to see you soon!
http://www.prattlibrary.org/booksmedia/podcasts/index2.aspx?ID=72710
And I hope you will. And if you're so inclined, you could come say hello at these other events:
Friday, March 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sam Schmidt and Virginia Crawford
read. The Poet Experience. Zü Coffee. 934 Bay Ridge Rd. Annapolis,
MD.
Friday, April 6, 6pm. The Ragged Edge Coffeehouse. 110 Chambersburg
Street. Gettysburg, PA. Sam Schmidt and Virginia Crawford.
Saturday, April 7, 5 p.m. Publication party, reading, and signing for
Suburban Myths. Minás Gallery and Boutique. 815 W. 36th St.
Baltimore, MD.
Saturday, April 14, 12 noon. CityLit Festival (10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Sam
will be part of Inner and Outer Space: Poets and the Importance of
Place. Readings by Michael Fallon (The Great Before and After), Sam
Schmidt (Suburban Myths), and Jennifer Wallace (It Can Be Solved By
Walking). Moderated by Stephen Reichert, Editor, Smartish Pace. Enoch
Pratt Central Library. 400 Cathedral Street. Baltimore, MD.
Happy Reading and Writing. Hope to see you soon!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
March & April Events, Touch and Suburban Myths
Hi!
Something a little freaky: my book and my husband's book came out in the same week but a year apart. Suburban Myths has arrived! I'm so looking forward to hearing Sam read from it. Yes, I know the poems already, but seeing him hold and read from this thing he's wanted for so long, that will be magical. His book is beautiful as well as great! I hope you will come and enjoy it with us. And there are many chances for you to hear for yourself. The first is this week. We'll be reading and talking with another married poet couple, Jane Satterfield and Ned Balbo:
Weds, March 14th, 6:30 at The Pratt Library, Central Branch, Baltimore, here's a link:
http://www.prattlibrary.org/calendar/atpratt.aspx?id=71550
Or come say hi at these other locations. (Except for the CityLit Fest, you can assume I will also be reading.)
March 17th, Birdies Cafe in Westminster, MD,
March 23rd in Annapolis, location TBA,
April 6, 6pm, Ragged Edge, Gettysburg, PA
April 7, Minas Gallery, Baltimore
April 14th CityLit Fest, Pratt Central Baltimore branch
Happy reading and writing,
Virginia
Something a little freaky: my book and my husband's book came out in the same week but a year apart. Suburban Myths has arrived! I'm so looking forward to hearing Sam read from it. Yes, I know the poems already, but seeing him hold and read from this thing he's wanted for so long, that will be magical. His book is beautiful as well as great! I hope you will come and enjoy it with us. And there are many chances for you to hear for yourself. The first is this week. We'll be reading and talking with another married poet couple, Jane Satterfield and Ned Balbo:
Weds, March 14th, 6:30 at The Pratt Library, Central Branch, Baltimore, here's a link:
http://www.prattlibrary.org/calendar/atpratt.aspx?id=71550
Or come say hi at these other locations. (Except for the CityLit Fest, you can assume I will also be reading.)
March 17th, Birdies Cafe in Westminster, MD,
March 23rd in Annapolis, location TBA,
April 6, 6pm, Ragged Edge, Gettysburg, PA
April 7, Minas Gallery, Baltimore
April 14th CityLit Fest, Pratt Central Baltimore branch
Happy reading and writing,
Virginia
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Old and New or Two Events
Out with the old and in with the new... if it were only that simple, or is it?
If you're talking about sweaters, maybe. But let's say you're talking about family. Not so simple. Certainly a few old things are worth keeping - like family and others who have been important in your life.
One way I'm keeping the old is by participating in my alma mater's annual Young Writer's Conference. Do you know of a middle school girl interested in writing? This one day conference is a great way for her to explore her interest, develop her skills and make new friends. It's happening on Sat., Feb. 25th at Mercy High School in Baltimore, MD. I will be offering a poetry workshop again this year.
One old problem I wish would disappear is homelessness. I can't give everyone a home, but I am hosting an open-mic poetry event to benefit Baltimore's homeless and the shelters that serve them. Sat., January 21 at the Hamilton Arts Gallery at 5502 Harford Rd. Sign up starts at 7pm, event at 7:45. Bring 1-3 poems or songs to share (depending on how many sign up). Participants are asked to donate $5., and warm clothing will also be accepted for Baltimore's homeless.
I hope your new year is full of old things that are still worth celebrating and new things that end old problems. May we all know and share the generosity and joy that exists within us.
Virginia
If you're talking about sweaters, maybe. But let's say you're talking about family. Not so simple. Certainly a few old things are worth keeping - like family and others who have been important in your life.
One way I'm keeping the old is by participating in my alma mater's annual Young Writer's Conference. Do you know of a middle school girl interested in writing? This one day conference is a great way for her to explore her interest, develop her skills and make new friends. It's happening on Sat., Feb. 25th at Mercy High School in Baltimore, MD. I will be offering a poetry workshop again this year.
One old problem I wish would disappear is homelessness. I can't give everyone a home, but I am hosting an open-mic poetry event to benefit Baltimore's homeless and the shelters that serve them. Sat., January 21 at the Hamilton Arts Gallery at 5502 Harford Rd. Sign up starts at 7pm, event at 7:45. Bring 1-3 poems or songs to share (depending on how many sign up). Participants are asked to donate $5., and warm clothing will also be accepted for Baltimore's homeless.
I hope your new year is full of old things that are still worth celebrating and new things that end old problems. May we all know and share the generosity and joy that exists within us.
Virginia
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Upcoming Events
Hello!
What a busy fall it has been. I've done two poetry residencies at elementary schools, led my weekly LitWorld GirlsClub and continued to connect with other people who might be interested in bringing LitWorld programs to Baltimore.
Here are a few events coming up this winter and spring. I hope you will join me where and when you can!
- January 13th I will be a judge in Maryland's Poetry Out-loud competition.
- March 7th is World Read Aloud Day. Details to come. This is a global event, so you can participate no matter where you are!
-March 14 I will be part of Poetry & Conversation at Baltimore's Pratt Library with my poet husband Sam Schmidt and married poets Jane Satterfield and Ned Balbo. Ever wonder what a marriage between poets would look like? Come find out!
- April 6th My husband Sam and I will be featured readers at the long running Ragged Edge poetry reading series in Gettysburg, PA. You could consider this his PA release party for his book, Suburban Myths.
I will post more dates/events as they are organized.
Keep reading and writing,
Virginia
What a busy fall it has been. I've done two poetry residencies at elementary schools, led my weekly LitWorld GirlsClub and continued to connect with other people who might be interested in bringing LitWorld programs to Baltimore.
Here are a few events coming up this winter and spring. I hope you will join me where and when you can!
- January 13th I will be a judge in Maryland's Poetry Out-loud competition.
- March 7th is World Read Aloud Day. Details to come. This is a global event, so you can participate no matter where you are!
-March 14 I will be part of Poetry & Conversation at Baltimore's Pratt Library with my poet husband Sam Schmidt and married poets Jane Satterfield and Ned Balbo. Ever wonder what a marriage between poets would look like? Come find out!
- April 6th My husband Sam and I will be featured readers at the long running Ragged Edge poetry reading series in Gettysburg, PA. You could consider this his PA release party for his book, Suburban Myths.
I will post more dates/events as they are organized.
Keep reading and writing,
Virginia
Monday, September 19, 2011
Stand up for Girls, Sept. 22nd
Two thirds of the world's illiterate people are female. Show your support for the education of these vulnerable people by standing up at noon on Thursday, Sept. 22nd, The International Day of the Girl. Take a picture and share with LitWorld.org, a non-profit dedicated to literacy for all. Check out some of the amazing things they've already accomplished in the video below. You can also connect with LitWorld on Facebook.
Join us and Stand up for Girls!
Virginia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYJQ8i7_uGI&feature=share
Join us and Stand up for Girls!
Virginia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYJQ8i7_uGI&feature=share
Monday, September 12, 2011
LitWorld
Hello!
I'm excited to share that I will be offering two GirlsClubs this fall. One will be at City Neighbors Charter School, and the other will be at The Village Learning Place, both here in Baltimore City. My clubs are for girls in 3rd-6th grades, and together we will read poetry and stories, listen to music and share our ideas about all of them. We will also make our own journals where we will write our thoughts and dreams. Together we will discover how we connect to the things we read, each other and the world. I can't wait to get to know these girls and hear their ideas!
This program was created by LitWorld. You can learn more about the amazing work we do around the world at: www.litworld.org Are you someone who would like to lead a Boys or GirlsClub? Be in touch!
Best Wishes,
Virginia
I'm excited to share that I will be offering two GirlsClubs this fall. One will be at City Neighbors Charter School, and the other will be at The Village Learning Place, both here in Baltimore City. My clubs are for girls in 3rd-6th grades, and together we will read poetry and stories, listen to music and share our ideas about all of them. We will also make our own journals where we will write our thoughts and dreams. Together we will discover how we connect to the things we read, each other and the world. I can't wait to get to know these girls and hear their ideas!
This program was created by LitWorld. You can learn more about the amazing work we do around the world at: www.litworld.org Are you someone who would like to lead a Boys or GirlsClub? Be in touch!
Best Wishes,
Virginia
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