Posted in Uncategorized, tagged A Year of Being Here, allowing, poem, poetry, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on October 8, 2015| 4 Comments »
and exhausted from pushing and not getting anywhere?
Today, a fabulous poetry site, “A Year of Being Here,” published a poem of mine about just this experience.
I love this site, love reading the poems daily and going back through the archives. You can find it here: A Year of Being Here: Trommer
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged poem, poetry class, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on October 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Doesn’t matter if you’ve written one or ten-thousand poems–I hope you can join me in a class devoted to the pure pleasure of writing, reading and sharing poetry.
The class, Just Playing With Words, will be held in Ridgway, CO, on October 18 from 10-4.
To register, go to the link above or call 970-318-0150 for more information.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged find the poetry in your life, inspiration, Mesa County Public Library, poetry, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on October 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Join me in Grand Junction at the library this coming Monday, at 6 p.m. for a conversation/reading/presentation as part of their ongoing “Inspiring Presentations” series. Free!
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Ah Haa School for the Arts, poetry workshop, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Weehawken Arts on July 12, 2015| 1 Comment »
Going Out, Going In: An evening of writing play for women
ROSEMERRY WAHTOLA TROMMER
July 16, 2015
Telluride, CO
Wilkinson Public Library, 6-8 p.m.
A teaser class for the upcoming four day poetry and painting retreat at Ah Haa, see below. Open to any woman, free.
Not with a Bang, but a Whimper: The Art of Ending Poems
ROSEMERRY WAHTOLA TROMMER
July 19, 2015
Ridgway, CO
Weehawken Arts, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
<span “font-size:10.5pt;mso-fareast-font-family:”times=”” roman”;=”” mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-bidi-font-family:”times=”” color:black”=”” style=”color: rgb(98, 98, 98); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;”>In poetry, crafting a memorable, attention-grabbing first line is important. But a poem’s final lines are absolutely critical. Why do some poems seem unfinished? In this workshop, we’ll look at endings of some well-known (and not-so-well-known) poems and talk about what works and what doesn’t and why. And using writing prompts and exercises, we’ll write and rewrite and practice the art of ending it well. If they are interested, participants can bring a poem or two with unsatisfactory endings that they have previously written. https://apm.activecommunities.com/weehawkenarts/Activity_Search/1720
Putting the Polish on Your Poems
ROSEMERRY WAHTOLA TROMMER
July 28-August 25, 2015
Telluride, CO
Ah Haa School for the Arts, Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Kill your darlings. Show don’t tell. These are a few classic bits of advice written in red pen on the poet’s page. But improving your writing goes way beyond such adages. In this five-week class, We will also discuss how and where to send out your poems for publication. For more info, visit http://www.ahhaa.org/calendarize/putting-the-polish-on-your-poems/
Going Out, Going In: A Four-Day Art & Writing Retreat for Women
ROSEMERRY WAHTOLA TROMMER
August 13-16, 2015
Telluride, CO
Ah Haa School, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Here. A chance to step out of the rush of your life and dedicate time to your creative, playful, wise and unfolding self. What memories, stories, images and patterns might appear? In this four-day intensive, poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and painter Brucie Holler guide and encourage women as they explore in two genres, a practice that allows for surprising insights, clarity and vulnerability. A workshop for women who are ready to go deeper, take new risks, and move more wholly into their creative process. http://www.ahhaa.org/calendarize/going-out-going-in-a-four-day-art-writing-experience-for-women/
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Ah Haa School for the Arts, poetry classes, Revision, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on July 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »
How do you improve your writing? This week I will be leading a free class at the Wilkinson Public Library in Telluride, “Putting the Polish on You Poems.” It is a teaser for a five-week class I will be leading through the Ah Haa School for the Arts starting later this month. Not sure you are ready for re-vamping your work? That’s why we offer this teaser. Join me from 6 to 8 on Wednesday, July 8. I believe in positive reinforcement and creating a safe environment for sharing, and I also love to push people in their craft. If you can’t make the class, but would like help with your poems, please inquire about my hour-long poetry conversations, available in person or over the phone.
for more information about the Ah Haa Class, visit http://www.ahhaa.org/calendarize/putting-the-polish-on-your-poems/
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged mother's day poems, parenting, poem, poetry, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on May 9, 2015| 2 Comments »
Three poems in honor of mothers, pulled from the last year, published today in Telluride Inside … and Out.
The first is for children, the second is about traditions passed on from mother to daughter and on, and the third is about the terrible, wonderful truth that we become our mothers. I got pretty lucky on that count … I have an amazing mom. Thanks, Mom!
http://www.tellurideinside.com/2015/05/poetss-corner-3-for-mothers-day-from-rosemerry-trommer.html
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Headwaters Poetry Festival, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Western Slope Poetry on March 31, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Poems, Politics and Pretty Places … that’s the theme of this weekend extravaganza filled with workshops, panels, performances, food and parties. I hope you can join me and some of Western Colorado’s finest poets: Art Goodtimes, David J. Rothman, Kyle Harvey, Wendy Videlock, Alan Wartes, Mark Todd and more!
For more information, check out the link below:
http://www.gunnisonartscenter.org/events/headwaters-poetry-festival
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged a cappella, Heartbeat, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, singing, Telluride on March 25, 2015| 1 Comment »
It’s poetry set to music … come hear Heartbeat in concert. Seven women singing all genres of music, a cappella.
Here’s a link to an article about our group and what one might expect at the concert.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged interview, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on March 19, 2015| 1 Comment »
published today in The Watch …
http://www.thewatchmedia.com/mountain-confidential-rosemerry-wahtola-trommer/
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged literary burlesque, poetry performance, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on February 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »
This Friday night, treat yourself to a literary unveiling: it’s the Literary Burlesque in Paonia. Whatever you think it might be, it’s probably something else … flirty on top, but then as the layers come off, well, it gets pretty human. A celebration of what it means to be alive, to be sensual, to be vulnerable. It will be the riskiest performance I have ever done–I have so much gratitude for the other performers and dreamers who are participating in the evening who make such risks feel possible. For tickets, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1171250 .
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged poetry class, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Telluride, writing on February 9, 2015| 2 Comments »
Tuesday, February 10
Going Out, Going In: Sneak Peak
Wilkinson Public Library, 6-8 p.m.
Telluride, CO
First, we play. That is the premise of the four-day art and writing retreat I will be teaching with artist Brucie Holler. So as a teaser for our retreat at Ah Haa, this sneak peak program is chance to be light with yourself, with your inner critic, and with other women who are interested in words. Nothing serious. Nothing intimidating. We’ll read fun and funny poems by other women, and write a few, too … it’s a great gift to give to yourself, and it’s free! For more information, go to http://www.telluridelibrary.org/ or contact Elissa at the library, 970-728-4519 x147 or edickson@telluridelibrary.org .
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Ah Haa School for the Arts, Brucie Holler, poem, poetry, poetry class, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on January 26, 2015| 3 Comments »
Hi Poetry Friends,
I will be teaching a very special four-day workshop for women the last week of February. My partner, Brucie Holler, is an incredible painter, and she and I have created a program designed to help you play, to break through any limitations you place on your own creativity, and to really grow as an artist/poet and woman. No previous writing or painting experience is necessary … and experts welcome, too! We are ready to welcome all women into a big conversation about what it means to be a woman, what it is to have a voice, to be a creator, a maker of beauty and a demolisher of walls …
Join us in Telluride! here’s the link:
http://www.ahhaa.org/calendarize/going-going-five-day-art-writing-retreat-women/
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged poetry book, poetry retreat, poetry sessions, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on December 13, 2014| 2 Comments »
Dear poetry friends,
Thank you for receiving these poems every day, some of you for nearly nine years! I am grateful for every response you send me, grateful that you read them at all and give them wings.
If you are interested in buying a book of poems for someone for the holidays, well, I just happen to have a few. I would, of course, be happy to sign the books, too, with a message to the recipient. You can find most of my books and CDs on my website at http://www.wordwoman.com/books/books.htm , but if you are interested in ordering my book of poetry conversations with Rumi, “The Miracle Already Happening,” then you will need to send me an email.
And here are two other gift ideas: After turning down requests to do poetry one-on-one sessions for years, I finally made room in my schedule to work with (more play, really) a few select clients who are interested in exploring their own voices and improving their writing. I am just loving it! Playing poetry with people is one of my favorite things to do. The cost is $75/hour, or $350 for five sessions paid in advance. Sessions can be done in person for San Miguel County residents (perhaps Ouray County, too), or on the phone. If you are interested, send me an email at wordwoman@mesa.net. Maybe it could be a gift for you!
And lastly, I am offering a four-day painting and poetry retreat for women in late February, co-teaching with the phenomenal painter Brucie Holler. It’s offered through the Ah Haa School, and you can find out more about it here: http://www.ahhaa.org/calendarize/going-going-five-day-art-writing-retreat-women/ If you live out of town, they can help you find housing to suit your budget.
Soon I will be letting you know about other writing class opportunities in January and February in Telluride and Ridgway, some of them for free, plus several performances coming up, including two Literary Burlesque performances in Paonia and Telluride.
Again, thank you for participating in this poem-a-day practice with me,
Rosemerry
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Journey of the Heart, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, women's spiritual poetry on October 9, 2014| Leave a Comment »
If you ever feel in need of an uplifting word or image, a fantastic place to visit is Journey of the Heart, a blog of women’s poems exploring what it means to be alive.
Today they published one of my poems from last week, but check it almost every day for new voices, new artwork.
http://womenspiritualpoetry.blogspot.com/2014/10/something-like-this-anyway-by-rosemerry.html
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged ah has school, art retreat, Brucie Holler, poetry workshop, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Telluride writing workshop on August 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Going Out Going In:
A five-day art and writing retreat for women
Connecting writing and visual art can activate what William Burroughs called “The Third Mind”— from the confluence of the two art forms, something new, or other, emerges. What might happen? In this week-long intensive, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and Brucie Holler will guide and encourage women participants in their quest to create something “new,” perhaps as much third body and third spirit as third mind. Using poetry and painting, we will explore both inner and outer landscapes, ask questions and practice embracing paradox. A workshop for women who are ready to be pushed around a little by their art, moving more wholly into the creative process.
Schedule: Every day classes will be held from 9 a.m.-noon and 3 – 6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to go on walks, hikes or bike rides in the surrounding mountains during the long midday break.
Day 1:
Have fun, my dear, my dear have fun —Hafiz
Theme: Play (receiving, freedom, surrender)
Painting: Paint large, free, no brushes, collaboratively
Writing: Poetry madlibs, collaborative two-line poems, alter ego poems
Day 2:
If truth is the lure, humans are fishes —Jane Hirshfield
Theme: Truth (whatever that entails)
Painting: Emotional studies—how each relates to 9 emotions or states of being (love, anger, grief, fear, joy, depression, serenity, etc…) Create a larger version of one
Writing: Making the abstract concrete, road map poems
Evening: Meal together
Day 3:
The world offers itself to your imagination —Mary Oliver
Theme: Natural World (beauty, gratitude, reverence, survival)
Painting: Working abstractly or representationally, creating an “ode” to the
natural world – mixed media
Writing: Making bridges between outer and inner landscape, conversation with
the natural world
Day 4:
I think with my body which effervesces. —Anna Swirszczynska
Theme: Body Image (sexuality, aging, shame)
Painting: Full-size, spiritual self-portraits in afternoon session
Writing: Writing from the body, undressing the voice
Evening: Gourd Circle—a chance to share poems and other writings written outside of the workshop, or to share favorite poems by others.
Day 5:
My darlings, it’s all a circle —Maxine Kumin
Theme: Circumference (everything and in between)
Painting: Mandalas
Writing: Writing poems on our bones
Instructor Bios:
Her love poems have been read on Prairie Home Companion, and her nature poems have been published in O Magazine. No wonder poet Art Goodtimes calls Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer “a chanteuse of the heart.” She served two terms as the first poet laureate for San Miguel County, Colorado, where she still leads monthly poetry readings, teaches in schools, leads writing workshops and leaves poems written on rocks around the town.
She has authored and edited 13 books, most of them poetry. The most recent collection, The Less I Hold, comes out of her poem-a-day practice, which she has been doing for over nine years. Other collections include The Miracle Already Happening, a chapbook of poems in which the Sufi mystic Rumi keeps showing up in daily life—the kindergarten classroom, the kitchen, even the Walmart parking lot. And Intimate Landscape: The Four Corners in Poetry & Photography is a collaboration with photographer Claude Steelman. Her work has also appears in journals, anthologies, on tie-dyed scarves, alleyway fences and in her children’s lunchboxes.
Rosemerry leads writing workshops for hospice, addiction recovery programs, women’s groups, schools, libraries, teachers and people who think they hate poetry. She performs with a poetry troupe (EAR), sings with a 6-woman a cappella group, and for more than 15 years she has led a poetry discussion series on contemporary American poets and international sacred voices. She is mother to Finn and Vivian, and stepmother to Shawnee. For the last six years, she and her husband were organic fruit growers, but they recently left the life of agriculture. She now works part time for Parents As Teachers. Her master’s degree in English Language & Linguistics is from University of Wisconsin—Madison. Favorite three word mantra: I’m still learning. Favorite one word mantra: Adjust.
“Wonderful, and (third) eye-opening! For me poetry has always tended to be such a personal experience; sharing it with the group facilitated by you was so intimate, and at the same time filled with such resonance … wow.” —Madeline
“I have really improved my poetry skills and felt safe and honored so it was easy to open up. I definitely got my money’s worth. ” —Lauren
Rosemerry, your balance and management, wisdom, heart and craft … whooppeee! What a gift. More! —Jenny
“Rosemerry is a fine teacher—she reaches out, she coaxes, she encourages, she listens, she shares her passion. Poetry just comes alive through her.” —Laurie Wagner Buyer, poet
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged collage, Meredith Nemirov, poetry, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, weehawken, writing workshop on May 26, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Rosemerry & Meredith conspire to create writing and visual art workshops.
COLLAGE – POETRY ON PAPER – SUNDAY JUNE 1st from 9AM – 4PM
The medium of collage, traditional and contemporary, lends itself to a poetic interpretation. In this hands-on class we will work back and forth
between creating a collage that inspires a poem, ekphrastic poetry, and then writing a poem that is the visual and emotional inspiration for a collage.
$135 includes all supplies.
Ages 14-Adult
970 318 0150
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged poetry, poetry performance, poetry workshop, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Telluride on May 1, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Hi Friends,
Tonight leads off a big month of poetry events in our region. Aaron Abeyta will be reading in Ridgway tonight at the Open Bard series at the Sherbino, and he is magnificent. In Telluride, a three-week discussion series on Sufi mystics starts tonight, too. You do not need to attend all the Thursdays to take part.
I thought since there’s so much happening I would send you links to help you decide what you might want to attend … hope to see you!
Rosemerry
May 1, 8, 15
Where Poetry Meets the Divine: Three Sufi Mystics and the State of Your Life
Wilkinson Public Library, Telluride, 6-8 p.m., free
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer leads a conversation about Hafiz, Rabia, and Rumi.
May 6
Talking Gourds Poetry Club Hosts Trish Roo
Arroyo Wine Bar & Gallery, Telluride, 6 p.m., free
For open mic following, the theme is Wind. Call 970-729-1838.
May 15-18
Telluride Literary Fest
All around Telluride: Poetry Brothel, Literary Burlesque, Literary Pub Crawl, Gourd Circle, Craft Talks, Literary Walk, Book Lovers Bash and More.
http://tellurideliteraryarts.weebly.com/literary-festival.html
May 16
Taking It All Off: An Evening of Literary Burlesque
Ah Haa School for the Arts, Telluride, 7 p.m. $5 at the door
The metaphorical and literal veils will be falling. Come at your own risk.
http://www.ahhaa.org/adult/workshops/writing/
May 22
Word Sharks Poetry Reading
Sideshow Emporium and Gallery, Dolores, 7 p.m., free
Friends Art Goodtimes, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and David Feela perform, open gourd to follow. Call 970-739-4646.
June 1
Collage: Poetry on Paper
Weehawken Ridgway- Old Schoolhouse, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., $135
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer & Meredith Nemirov lead participants in creating a collage and writing poetry.
https://apm.activecommunities.com/weehawkenarts/Activity_Search/1361
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged hafiz, mystic poetry, poetry discussion, Rabia, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Rumi, sufi, Wilkinson Public Library on April 21, 2014| 1 Comment »
Let’s talk about something besides weather. Let’s talk about life, the miraculous body, the wonders of the heart, the agony of loss. And what is spirit? And what is love? And what are we here for, anyway?
That’s right. Let’s talk about all the things you’re yearning to talk about, but you’re not sure how to bring them up. Join local poet and scholar Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer for this three-part series on the Sufi poets Hafiz, Rabia and Rumi.
The workshops will take place three consecutive Thursdays, May 1, 8 and 15 at 6 p.m. The workshops are free and open to everyone. The last workshop will feature Middle Eastern food and music and a celebration of the mystic poets and the Muslim Journeys series, of which this series is a part.
Wilkinson Public Library was one of just 125 libraries and humanities councils in the US to receive an American Library Association/National Endowment for the Humanities grant to present Muslim Journeys , a scholar-led reading and discussion program designed to foster opportunities for community conversations about the histories, faith and cultures of Muslims around the world and within the United States. WPL’s program began in January.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Art Goodtimes, Karen Chamberlain Poetry Festival, poetry, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on March 26, 2014| Leave a Comment »
In honor of one of Colorado’s most generous, gifted poets, the Karen Chamberlain Poetry Festival invites anyone and everyone to come share in the joy and communion of poetry. Both intimate and exuberant, the festival events just might inspire you, might make you fall deeper in love with the world.
I’ll be co-teaching a class on William Stafford and Dolores LaChapelle with Art Goodtimes at 10 a.m. on Saturday, plus attending other incredible workshops and performances. Let’s play!
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged mother, parenting, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Wilkinson Public Library, writing workshop on February 21, 2014| Leave a Comment »
