Equal parts art and community, WordXWord is where words go to be heard. Poets Creating Conversation is an ongoing series of events that challenges poets (and soon-to-be-poets!) to circle loosely around a theme or issue in the current social discourse to create a broad, multi-dimensional “conversation” between poems, poets, and audience Poets Creating Conversation originated at the Berkshire Museum in January of 2018 as an monthly series that invited and challenged poets to circle loosely around a theme or issue in the social discourse.
Poets Creating Conversation throws out a single word and challenges poets to respond. It is not necessary to use the prompt as the title or as a word in your poem. There is always a lot of space inside of (and around) a prompt and a lot of angles to approach it, mine its depths, etc
Rules? There are some. Your poem should reflect the theme in some way. Poets are asked to keep their poems to 3 minutes or less. Collaborations (multi-voice pieces) are welcome but must adhere to the time limit. No personal attacks (if you need to address an individual in your work, anonymize it). Calls to action follow below.
A Note About Content - While we do honor a broad definition of poetry, we do not offer a platform for lectures, polemics, screeds, hateful/hurtful attacks on marginalized individuals in our community or the organizations that offer support for them. Racist, sexist, homophobic, ageist, ableist or otherwise derogatory language is not welcome at WordXWord events. If any of this is confusing to you, then WordXWord is not the right space for sharing your work.
WordXWord events are FREE and open to all, however, some poems may contain content or language best suited for teens and adults.
Unitarian Universalist Church
175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
The theme is BEFORE AFTER. For December, WordXWord’s Poets Creating Conversation throws out a pair of words and asks poets to respond.
We long ago learned that there is no predicting how the outside world and/or which life experiences and challenges will insert themselves into the conversation. That’s the magic sauce that makes PCC work.
Unitarian Universalist Church
175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
The theme is RISING TIDE. WordXWord’s Poets Creating Conversation throws out a word or phrase and asks poets to respond.
We long ago learned that there is no predicting how the outside world and/or which life experiences and challenges will insert themselves into the conversation. That’s the magic sauce that makes PCC work.
Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
The prompt is DREAM.
Not for the faint of heart, Poets Creating Conversation throws out a single word/idea and asks poets to circle around. The results defy expectations!
Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
The prompt is HOME.
Not for the faint of heart, Poets Creating Conversation throws out a single word/idea and asks poets to circle around. The results defy expectations!
Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
WordXWord is inviting poets of any ilk to apply their creative energy to slicing and dicing Education in America. From inside institutions, or from outside in the “real” world, we’re looking to get an ear full. Everything is fair game - public education, home school, K-12, college, or the lessons that life drops on us.
Education in America was our very first Poets Creating Conversation event held on February 26, 2018 - twelve days after the Parkland school shooting. You can imagine how that event shaped our event. We quickly learned that there is no predicting how the outside world and/or which life experiences and challenges will insert themselves into the conversation. That’s the magic sauce that makes PCC work. We look to create a cauldron and invite you to jump in.
Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
In a series of events over the course of 3 months, WordXWord is asking poets of any ilk to apply their creative energy to three fraught words - diversity, equity, and inclusion. Obviously these words have a wide range of applications other than the uses currently under pressure. First up, is DIVERSITY. It’s your call how you dance around, over, or through it.
diversity (noun)
di·ver·si·ty
1. the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : variety
2. an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities : an instance of being diverse
Equal parts art and community, WordXWord is where words go to be heard. Poets Creating Conversation is an ongoing series of events that challenges poets (and soon-to-be-poets!) to circle loosely around a theme or issue in the current social discourse to create a broad, multi-dimensional “conversation” between poems, poets, and audience.
WordXWord events are FREE and open to all, however, some poems may contain content or language best suited for teens and adults.
Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
In a series of events over the course of 3 months, WordXWord is asking poets of any age, style, or experience to apply their creative energy to three fraught words - diversity, equity, and inclusion. Obviously these words have a wide range of applications other than the uses currently under pressure. Second up, is EQUITY. It’s your call how you dance around it.
equity (noun)
eq·ui·ty
1. the quality of being fair and impartial
2. the value of the shares issued by a company
3. the value of a mortgaged property after deduction of charges against it
Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
Over the course of 3 months, WordXWord has asked poets of any ilk to apply their creative energy to three fraught words - diversity, equity, and (now) inclusion.
As we wrap up this series with INCLUSION, we recognize that it is difficult to pull these 3 words completely apart as they lean on each other for support. In addition, it seems unnecessary/counter productive to put a wall around inclusion. For this final event in the series anything even tangentially related to any or all things DEI is welcome. This is as close to an open mic as you’re likely to see from us.
Unitarian Universalist Church, 175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
Wonder. Wander. Question or answer, or the space in between? It’s your call.
The Mount / Edith Wharton's Home
2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA
Free
The theme is ROOTS. Flora or fauna, we’ve all got them.
As part of The Mount's Community Day, this event will be presented outdoors at a location TBD. Bring your own chair or blanket.
Not for the faint of heart, WordXWord’s Poets Creating Conversation throws out a single word/idea and asks poets to circle around.
The Mount / Edith Wharton's Home
2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA
Free
The theme is DWELL. WordXWord’s Poets Creating Conversation throws out a single word/idea. This month we're asking poets to linger, loiter, or perhaps even reside inside of DWELL.
We long ago learned that there is no predicting how the outside world and/or which life experiences and challenges will insert themselves into the conversation. That’s the magic sauce that makes PCC work. For this event, DWELL has the floor. Let’s see where it takes us.
This event will be presented outdoors in the dell behind the Stable. Bring your own chair or blanket. In the case of rain, this event will be moved to an indoor space tbd.
The Mount / Edith Wharton's Home
2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA
Free
The theme is RED HERRING. WordXWord’s Poets Creating Conversation throws out a word or phrase and asks poets to respond.
We long ago learned that there is no predicting how the outside world and/or which life experiences and challenges will insert themselves into the conversation. That’s the magic sauce that makes PCC work.
Unitarian Universalist Church
175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Free
The theme is RISING TIDE. WordXWord’s Poets Creating Conversation throws out a word or phrase and asks poets to respond.
We long ago learned that there is no predicting how the outside world and/or which life experiences and challenges will insert themselves into the conversation. That’s the magic sauce that makes PCC work.
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