Dreaming on the Waves - Skiathos creative writing week

2:21pm Thursday 14th July 2005

Skiathos is a beautiful island in the Aegean to spend a week writing poetry, making new friends, swimming in bluegreen sea and much laughter!

Organised by Zoe Artemis, (www.zoeartemis.com) a Greek now living in New York and facilitated by George Wallace, (www.poetrybay.com) also of Greek roots who lives, works and breathes poetry on Long Island NYC, the workshop was held in Skiathos town.

Poets came from the US and the UK, eager to learn and make poetry. Each morning under the shade of pines, overlooking the beautiful bay of Skiathos, we spent time with George crafting poems.

He is thorough and hard-working and is generous-spirited enough to share his knowledge, experience and love of the craft with others. He is a fine poet.

Out of the six sessions we wrote many poems; had time for free-writing in the afternoons, which we combined with sunbathing, swimming, boat trips and/or shopping and eating at many of the friendly tavernas.

One poet came from Connecticut, rich in the roots of her African heritage, who brought a strong rhythm to the group, a New York poet, urban, feisty, fun and fey in the Gaelic sense of the word, created her own dreams, a UK poet calm, unexpectedly funny and down to earth lent her brand of gentleness to the group. Also part of the group were Zoe and Vassili, a dancer and actor/singer respectively, who brought their own creative energy to an already rich mix of vibes plus Vassili's soulful-eyed dog, Danillo.

I have rich memories of the time spent on the island with poet-friends and would highly recommend the workshop to anyone wishing to hone their imaginative and inventive poetry skills. It was a fine time, spent in a beautiful part of the world with the spirit and laughter of communality go!

by Geraldine Green, poet, Penrith

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