Ruth Awad’s workshop: ‘Ecopoetics and the Possible World’

Recently I have been working on a project here in Ohio title ‘Dwelling During the Pandemic.’

Funded by the Ohio State University Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme, this project uses poetry and science to help process our experiences here in Ohio during the global pandemic.

One of our collaborators is the international poetry journal Magma Poetry, and the topic of the most recent issue is “dwelling.” This theme asks questions and seeks new possibilities for the way we, human beings, have been living. “Dwelling” means existing with the earth i.e. viewing the natural world with respect, and acknowledging it as an autonomous life-force beyond human possession. To find out more about “dwelling,” please see this video from myself and fellow Magma Poetry editor, Kristian Evans.

Since a global pandemic was declared, dwelling has taken on new significance, as communities seek ways to live in isolation. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has drawn into stark attention the fragility of human and natural worlds in which we dwell.

Dwelling could not be more relevant in the current COVID-19 pandemic, including pertinent issues like social isolation, and our relationship with the environment. This project puts scientists and poets together, and takes their ideas into the community through workshops and panels. We are holding a variety of workshops with different communities around Ohio, using creative writing as a way to process the experiences of the pandemic.

Submissions of poems, poetry films, or poetry posters are welcome from Central Ohio residents. You don’t have to be a student. Anyone who lives in our community is welcome to share and submit a poem!

Please send up to 3 poems and a 50 word bio. If you have a poetry film please send a link from YouTube.

You can send submissions to Thompson.3022@osu.edu

Ruth Awad is a brilliant Ohio poet involved in the project who has helpfully provided a workshop for us which you can access in PDF here. It is titled ‘Ecopoetics & The Possible World.’