I like to start all new beginnings—especially the new year—with gratitude. It’s like when you watch a rose bloom on time lapse footage and you’re struck by the way that falling in love or landing that dream job makes you feel just like that rapidly unfurling flower. You’re actually more like a rose than you think. At once delicate and dangerous. For me, being actively grateful has been instrumental in maintaining a balance between the extremes that we all fall prey to as human beings. Gratitude is a key that opens doors to new and exciting experiences. It’s also an invitation to join a dance you didn’t know would be your medicine.

Most recently, I was grateful to have been invited down to the annual Watering Hole writing retreat in South Carolina as a special guest author. I got to consult poets one-on-one about their writing as we sat near a warm fireplace, surrounded by regal pines that encircle the cabins. And I got to just generally kick it with my amazing tribe/soul family of artists who understand the intensity and sacredness of this writing life. Creating culture is serious work.

My longtime mentor Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets, was one of the instructors this year. It was great to catch up with him and watch him inspire the next generation of poets. Abiodun provided a beautiful blurb on the back cover of my debut poetry book Gathering the Waters when it was released in 2014. For that, I remain truly grateful. He also has an album titled Gratitude, so please have a listen to that, as well as his two more recent releases. 

The retreat was filled with poetry royalty, honey. Danez Smith, Terrance Hayes, Delana R.A. Dameron John, and keynote speaker Patricia Smith were pure fire. Who writes an hour’s worth of stunning poetry that punches you in the gut with its rare beauty? Patricia Smith does. Whew…I highly recommend that writers at all stages of their careers attend retreats, workshops, and residencies at least once a year. This is where we learn new tools, build community, and feel affirmed on our chosen path, which can be a lonely one. Poets & Writers magazine has a great online database with all sorts of opportunities like this retreat.

I’m also grateful to be teaching a course that pitched to Brooklyn College this semester. I believe that you can still register, so take a look at the description and tell me if you’re interested. Speculative fiction, second to poetry, is my all-time favorite literary genre. I love to imagine what can be, and the authors I’ve included in my syllabus build magical and futuristic worlds that center the experiences of black women, something I’ve not often seen in this genre. 

This year is already shaping up to be an exciting one—more featured readings from Tampa to Atlantic City, new exhibitions including my art, and of course the release of my new poetry collection Everything is Necessary by Willow Books on October! I remain grateful for the opportunity to share what I learn with you. Check my Facebook page for the up-to-date info. on my upcoming events, or catch the recaps and miscellaneous musings on my weekly blog. 

And if you are interested in working with me to fine tune your writing, or you’d like to feature me at an upcoming event at your college or elsewhere, the best way to learn more about what I do and the ways we can work together is to download my media kit at keishagaye.ink. 

I wish you a prosperous 2018! May all your dreams come true.