I chose topics based on my current writing, dialog, descriptions, listening to the spoken word, and interpretation of writings. When we were "prompted" or guided to write by our talented teachers, the room became silent and notebooks became filled with words. At first, I resisted. How could I write in a room of strangers? where was my classical music to play with my thoughts?
Amazingly, I found myself writing and even reading my story in front of an open microphone at lunch. Did I have a favorite? Not necessarily but I will always smile and reflect on the class where we were asked to interpret a poem read in Spanish by our teacher Eugenia Toledo-Keyser. What did we hear when she read the words? What do you feel the words are saying to you? Almost like listening to classical music, I found myself effortlessly transformed though a language I did not speak.
Evan J. Peterson asked us to indulge "our word tooth" by focusing on sensuous images of hearing, tasting, seeing, touching and smelling. I will share my writing from my experience of wine tasting in Leavenworth, Washington the prior weekend. Do you find the five senses in my words?
Grapevines tiny green buds covered the arch above our heads as we sat around his table.
Swarms of grosbeaks flew over the fence teasing the pride of thirteen cats that perched on stairs, custom made patio cushions, and offered calf massages to our stilled feet. Our winemaker poured red wine into our wine glasses centered on the turntable. Red streaks drifted slowly down forming a pool of red hue. The aroma met my nose, a whirl on my tongue and the cherry chocolate flavor left me craving a paper wrapped cherry cordial.