A Poem's Heartbeat: A Poetic Vespers Day Retreat

The shortened days of winter are an opportune time to listen to the hidden stirrings of the heart. And vespers, the canonical time of sunset, is a suitable time of day for this same practice.

Join published MFA poet Melanie Weldon-Soiset, and retreat leader and spiritual director Judy Walsh-Mellett, for an evening of poetic vespers: a poem's heartbeat. Let's listen to courageous rhythms and longings—in ourselves, and in the poetry of others. Let's draft poetry. Let's stretch, wander, and rest.

Our time together will include a gentle body awareness exercise, reflections on the heartbeat of a poem, and drafting collaborative verse. There will be ample time for silence and freewriting, with optional sharing at the end.

We’ll be a cozy group, only up to 10 people total. In the case that we reach event capacity, please join the waitlist to be notified immediately if a spot becomes available.

We'll meet at , which sits on the threshold of Maryland and DC. Tea and light snacks will be provided. Weather permitting, we'll wander the garden at Still Place, and kindle a bonfire to greet the evening.

Street parking is available. Still Place is also easily accessible by Metrorail and Metrobus. West Hyattsville Metro is one mile away, and Brookland Metro is 2 miles away. Several Metrobus stops are just a few blocks walk from Still Place. Exact address and parking details will be sent to participants shortly after registration.

Judy Walsh-Mellett is the host of . She is a graduate of the Shalem Institute “Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats” and the RUAH School of Spiritual Guidance at Richmond Hill. She has a long association with Dayspring Retreat Center as a retreat leader. She is an avid vegetable and native plant gardener as well as the grateful mother of three grown children and grandmother of two.

is a seasoned preacher, teacher, #ChurchToo spiritual abuse survivor, and published MFA poet. She has a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary, an MFA in poetry from the Naslund-Mann School of Writing, as well as a certificate for “Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats” from the Shalem Institute. She served as the final Poetry Editor at Geez Magazine. Learn about previous workshops Melanie has held, and/or join her monthly poetry & prayer missive, where she announces future events like this one.

Host or Publisher Melanie Weldon-Soiset, published poet and former pastor