Earlier this month, I participated in the River Heron Review poetry retreat at The Barn at Boyds Mills in eastern Pennsylvania. It was, in a word, amazing.

The grounds were spectacular, and I met some beautiful, wonderful and incredibly kind and talented writers and poets. In addition to those of us who were part of the River Heron Review poetry retreat, I met other writers who were staying there on individual, personal retreats, some of them having come to Boyds Mills five, six, seven times before. Such is the draw of this fabulous place!

This was the first time I’d allowed myself the luxury of flying halfway across the country simply to explore and invest in solitude, camaraderie, and the pursuit of craft. I’d read about retreats such as this before and now I understand why they are so popular and, dare I say, necessary for the development, expansion, and exploration of one’s literary pursuits.

Although I did not “poetize”, as my husband calls it, as much as I’d hoped I would – I did write but, on those days, when the weather was glorious, my other love, photography, drew me outdoors, imprinting ideas of passion and nature, quiet, peace and serenity deep inside my brain and within my soul – I was truly inspired during my stay.

Robbin and Dawn, our intrepid hosts and poetry gurus, provided us with a variety of tools, readings, activities – and encouragement! – which will continue to serve this writer well. A terrific balance of “structured” events and personal “down time” was both welcome and effective. I am grateful.

Next year’s retreat is scheduled, again, for mid-October 2024. I’m hoping to return for another relaxing, exhilarating poetry getaway with these same new friends – and others I’m sure to meet along the way – kindred spirits, all, who enjoy reading and writing, people who ‘get’ me and share in my love of poetry. Until this retreat, I hadn’t realized how much this poetic body of mine craved, how much it needed, to be enveloped in the embrace of others who understand and respect the balm writing affords those of us driven to express ourselves in not just language but via the power of images as well. I cannot explain it any other way.

I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. One of the things I loved about The Barn at Boyds Mills was the availability of so many little nooks and crannies, places to write in quiet and solitude as well as the soul-nourishing sights and sounds of Mother Nature, all around us.

This poetry retreat was such a fantastic experience. Once more, with gusto!, I am so very, very grateful!