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Month: September 2022

Poems from September 18 Poetry Workshop

Montgomery Botanical Gardens, in conjunction with AARP, sponsored the first of a series of literary workshops in the gardens at Oak Park on Sunday, September 18.

Presenter, Dr. Jacqueline Allen Trimble, shared several pieces of her poetry and walked the participants through how to write their own poems…a poem of their life. Workshop participants then wrote individual poems. At the conclusion of the activity, one participant commented, “I am so glad that I had facial tissue in my bag”. Below are two poems written by workshop participants.

Montgomery Botanical Gardens and AARP plan two additional literary workshops in the coming months.  The second, to be held Sunday, October 16 at 3:00 pm in the Gardens, will be conducted by renown storyteller Joseph Trimble. A third workshop will be an open mike Poetry Slam and Spoken Word event and will be held Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 pm.

WHERE I’M FROM

By Cathy Maddox

I am from Azalea blossoms and Magnolias blooms

I am from salt spray and hurricanes

I am from climbing the Sweet Gum tree and playing Hide and Seek

I am from stories on the big front porch on breezy evenings

I am from Mom’s dark eyes and Dad’s straight teeth when my smile

I am from a loaded, crowded dining table welcoming all

I am from turnip greens and corn bread, fried chicken, fresh shrimp, raw oysters and bread pudding

I am from piano lessons with Mr. Angelo, strict behavior in “hard shell” church and singing acapella with gusto

I am from billowing pastel gowns of trail maids, the loud, gaudy parades and glittering balls of Fat Tuesday

I am from Ben, Ethellene, Aunt Lottie, Big Sissy and Mr. Ed

I am from “Ladies don’t chew gum” and “girls can’t do that” and that’s for the boys”

I am from many voices, rapid instructions, many siblings, and sharing bedrooms

I am from ““do your chores first”, “respect your elders”, “behave yourself”, and “don’t ask why”

I am from “don’t cross our legs”, “stand up straight”, “yes ma’am”, “no ma’am”, and “thank you ma’am”

I am from “hospitality is class” and “everyone is welcome” and “you are judged by your behavior not your appearance”

I am from English, Scottish, Irish, Creek and French, and more importantly American

I am from leather-bound books, learning, helping others, good citizens, good grades, good manners,

I am from the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s Prayer each school day

I am from no nonsense, and “lead, follow or get out of the way”

I am from home, family, loyalty and reverence

I am from falling in love in Fairhope, Al and being 72 years married

I am from love

 

 

I SAW MY DAD

By Marilyn Hobbs

I saw my dad, I always think of my dad when I look in the mirror

My face, my fingers, my feet! All of this reminds me of my dad

My face reminds me of aging, yes! I am aging, I remember the young me

I see the age, the wrinkles, the lines, the freckles, the dark spots

But, I also see the younger me, my eyes….oh my eyes,

People use to tell me that I have pretty eyes….my nose, which belongs to my mom!

My lips, full like my dad’s, my hair, thick like my dad’s, graying my age

Grey hair, I’ve decided to let it go, at lease around the sides, just like my dad, haha

Support the Montgomery Botanical Gardens when you shop on Amazon and a portion of your purchase will go to improve the Gardens.

1. Go to smile.amazon.com

2. Click the ‘Start Shopping’ button

3. Shop as usual.

Upcoming Literary Workshops

Montgomery Botanical Gardens, in cooperation with AARP, will host literary workshops during the fall. The workshops, to be entitled Literary Workshops—Poetry and Storytelling in the Garden, will feature well known poet Dr. Jacqueline Trimble and acclaimed storyteller Joseph Trimble.

Sunday, October 16—Telling Your Story

Telling Your Story workshop will be hosted by acclaimed storyteller Joseph Trimble at 3:00 PM in the Wisdom Woods classroom.

Mr. Trimble, who made his Playhouse debut in ‘Sweat,’ is a co-founder of the Alabama Storytelling Association and a member of the Central Alabama Storytelling Association. He received the 2013 Theatre Fellowship from the Alabama state Council on the Arts.

Additionally, Mr. Trimble is involved with the Alabama State. University National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture. He has written several books including Marty and the Million Man March and Marty Makes a Difference.

Sunday, November 20—Poetry Slam & Spoken Word

Share your talent or simply enjoy the talent of others in this open mike performance at 3:00 PM in the Wisdom Woods classroom.

Refreshments will be served at all three workshops.

Registration Required

Participation is limited. Registration is required for all three workshop sessions. Participants may register at AARP (states.aarp.org/alabama/events-al). If additional information is needed, contact Montgomery Botanical Gardens: (vonnie1335@yahoo.com).

Poetry in the Gardens

Montgomery Botanical Gardens, in conjunction with AARP, sponsored the first of a series of literary workshops in the gardens at Oak Park on Sunday, September 18.

Presenter, Dr. Jacqueline Allen Trimble, shared several pieces of her poetry and walked the participants through how to write their own poems…a poem of their life. Workshop participants then wrote individual poems. At the conclusion of the activity, one participant commented, “I am so glad that I had facial tissue in my bag”.

Other participant comments ranged from, “An Evening to remember. This event was so relaxing, touching, motivating, exciting, emotional highs and lows, spiritual, comforting, and inspirational;” to “WOW!;“ to “I am so happy I came.”

Thanks to MBG President, Dr. Tyna Davis; Co-Chairs, Maggie Stringer and Marilyn Hobbs; Co-Chair, Ann Oldham; and committee member, Mary George Jester. Special thanks to Dr. Elijah Pugh and Mrs. Ann Hails, Associate State Director, AARP Support Staff.

Montgomery Botanical Gardens and AARP plan two additional literary workshops in the coming months.  The second, to be held Sunday, October 16 at 3:00 pm in the Gardens, will be conducted by renown storyteller Joseph Trimble. A third workshop will be an open mike Poetry Slam and Spoken Word event and will be held Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 pm.

Montgomery Botanical Gardens  board members who helped organize the event, Ann Oldham, Dr. Tyna Davis, Marilyn Hobbs, Dr. Sheila Austin and Maggie Stringer

AARP support staff Ann Hailed and Dr. Elijah Pugh man the sign-in station.

Sunday, November 20—Poetry Slam & Spoken Word

Share your talent or simply enjoy the talent of others in this open mike performance at 3:00 PM in the Wisdom Woods classroom.

Refreshments will be served at all three workshops.

Registration Required

Participation is limited. Registration is required for all three workshop sessions. Participants may register at AARP (states.aarp.org/alabama/events-al). If additional information is needed, contact Montgomery Botanical Gardens: (vonnie1335@yahoo.com).

Support the Montgomery Botanical Gardens when you shop on Amazon and a portion of your purchase will go to improve the Gardens.

1. Go to smile.amazon.com

2. Click the ‘Start Shopping’ button

3. Shop as usual.

Montgomery Botanical Gardens/AARP Host Literary Workshops

Montgomery Botanical Gardens, in cooperation with AARP, will host three workshops during the fall. The workshops, to be entitled Literary Workshops—Poetry and Storytelling in the Garden, will feature well known poet Dr. Jacqueline Trimble and acclaimed storyteller Joseph Trimble.

Sunday, September 18 —Writing What You Know: Who I Am and Where I Am From

Dr. Jacqueline Trimble will conduct the first workshop, which will take place September 18 at 3 PM in the Montgomery Botanical Gardens Wisdom Woods classroom. Dr. Trimble, a National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellow, Cave Canem Fellow and Alabama State Council on the Arts Literary Fellow, will guide participants ages 16+ to create poetry from life events they have already experienced. 

Dr. Trimble’s work has appeared in numerous journals which include Poetry Magazine, The Louisville Review, The Offing and Poet Lore.  American Happiness, published by New South Books, her debut poetry collection, won the Balcones Poetry. How to Survive the Apocalypse, her newest poetry collection, was recently published.

Currently a professor at Alabama State University, Dr. Trimble chairs the Department of Languages and Literatures.

Sunday, October 16—Telling Your Story

Telling Your Story workshop will be hosted by acclaimed storyteller Joseph Trimble at 3:00 PM in the Wisdom Woods classroom.

Mr. Trimble, who made his Playhouse debut in ‘Sweat,’ is a co-founder of the Alabama Storytelling Association and a member of the Central Alabama Storytelling Association. He received the 2013 Theatre Fellowship from the Alabama state Council on the Arts.

Additionally, Mr. Trimble is involved with the Alabama State. University National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture. He has written several books including Marty and the Million Man March and Marty Makes a Difference.

Sunday, November 20—Poetry Slam & Spoken Word

Share your talent or simply enjoy the talent of others in this open mike performance at 3:00 PM in the Wisdom Woods classroom.

Refreshments will be served at all three workshops.

Registration Required

Participation is limited. Registration is required for all three workshop sessions. Participants may register at AARP (states.aarp.org/alabama/events-al). If additional information is needed, contact Montgomery Botanical Gardens: (vonnie1335@yahoo.com).

Support the Montgomery Botanical Gardens when you shop on Amazon and a portion of your purchase will go to improve the Gardens.

1. Go to smile.amazon.com

2. Click the ‘Start Shopping’ button

3. Shop as usual.