Kayla Geitzler

The Power of Poetry & How
The year, this difficult year for myself and many many of us, is coming to a close. As the snow falls and the winds shake the spruce outside my window, I am grateful to be who and where I am. That my passion and skills, and the power of poetry, can be used in the service of others.
For almost two years I have been working with the Miramichi Literacy Council and the NB Women's Correctional Centre offering a six-week poetry, at first once, and now twice a year, at WCC in Miramichi. A four-round trip from Moncton, I drive up once a week and watch, from week 1 to 6, how The Women empower themselves with their words.
Although I believe in How not What, when I pitched the idea of a chapbook, a small annual anthology of The Women's poetry, I expected to hear a resounding "No." However, amazing program officer Tammy said, "I think we can do that." As did Maria, the superintendent, and the incredible Nadine and Pat of MLC. It was even printed locally by Newcastle Printing.
There are many people and organizations behind this book, including ReadNB, and I am grateful to them all.
I am most grateful to The Women dor their trust, their talent, and their dedication.
All purchases of We The Women go to fund future copies.

And so begins a week-long writing retreat in Great Village, NS with fellow writer Elizabeth Blanchard! Imagine, writers getting a whole week to devote to their writing. No TV, no internet, no interruptions.
Margo Wheaton joins us tonight! We are so grateful to be in this writing haven.