Warmed by a fire and friends, Just Poets hosted another terrific day this weekend with Mother Nature at Writers and Books‘ Gell Center, (Naples/Bristol) NY.

The full-day retreat featured a truly fascinating overview of early (dare I say ancient) Asian poetry expertly presented by Just Poet member Roy Hartwell Bent. Bent took us not only on a travelogue tour of the Beijing Forbidden City, but also underscored his topic with a grasp of the language and history well enough to spellbind with his nuanced perceptions he has gathered including visiting China. If you know Roy Bent you know he comes prepared. No exception here – slide shows, including his photos of poet Li Bai’s (701 – 762 a.d. ) work displayed on scroll, worksheets, art, books, handouts all leading the poets into a try at translation, and writing exercises (haiku, Hokku…). Freakin’ fascinating.

Almost too much? It should be at least a four session class at Writers and Books.
All that and a pot luck lunch with poets, a warm breeze from Naples Valley and a meaningful read-around at the end of the day. Wow. Or, perhaps better said:
哇

Thanks to all who shared and attended this year’s Just Poets retreat. Next year – don’t miss it.

Review by David Delaney