What if writing a poem could be a form of Prayer?
What might happen if you sat down to write without needing to know where the words would lead?
Perhaps a line of poetry begins with a question, an ordinary moment, or something you've been carrying but haven't quite found the words to express. As you write, you may discover something unexpected: a new perspective, a deeper question, or a moment of wonder.
You don't have to know what you're going to write. You only have to be willing to begin.
Join poet and teacher Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer for a four-week immersion in poetry, spiritual writing, and contemplation.
Together, we'll read spiritual writers from diverse sacred and secular traditions, explore what their words awaken in us, and use their work as inspiration for our own writing.
Rosemerry will also introduce poetry-writing techniques, helping us pay closer attention to language while remaining open to where the creative process leads.
This is an invitation to approach poetry not as something to perfect, but as something to experience. A way to listen more deeply, follow your curiosity, and perhaps discover writing as a contemplative practice or form of prayer.
Come to write, to wonder, and to discover what the page might reveal.
Tuesdays, February 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2027
7 – 9 PM ET
Live on Zoom · Recording included
General Public $175 · OSLA Affiliated Alumni $135
What We'll Explore
Poetry as Prayer & Contemplation
What changes when we approach writing as an opportunity to listen rather than something we need to accomplish? We'll explore how poetry can become a practice of presence, reflection, and attention to the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our lives.
Wisdom from Sacred & Secular Writers
We'll read spiritual writers from diverse traditions, considering the questions, images, and insights their work brings forward. Through conversation, we'll explore how their words speak to our own experiences and open new possibilities for writing.
Finding Our Own Words
How can another writer's words help us discover something of our own?
We'll use the readings as starting points for our poems, allowing a phrase, image, question, or unexpected connection to lead us somewhere new.
The Craft of Poetry
Poetry is both an art and a practice. Rosemerry will offer instruction in writing techniques that help us become more attentive to language, imagery, and expression while leaving room for experimentation and surprise.
Curiosity, Wonder & Self-Compassion
What becomes possible when we loosen our expectations of what a poem should be?
We'll practice approaching the page with curiosity and kindness, making space for discovery without the pressure to produce something perfect.
What You'll Take Away
A New Way to Approach Writing
Explore how poetry can become a contemplative practice that invites reflection, attention, and connection with your inner life.Inspiration from Diverse Spiritual Writers
Encounter poetry and spiritual writing from sacred and secular traditions, discovering new voices and perspectives that can continue to nourish your own practice.Greater Confidence in Your Creative Voice
Practice beginning with curiosity rather than certainty, giving yourself permission to explore without needing every poem to be finished or perfect.Practical Poetry-Writing Techniques
Learn approaches to working with language and expression that you can bring into your writing beyond the workshop.A Writing Practice You Can Return To
Discover ways to make poetry part of your ongoing spiritual or creative life, whether through daily reflection, occasional writing, or moments when words help you pay attention.
You'll leave with poems you've begun, new ways of approaching the page, and an invitation to keep writing.
How We’ll Learn Together
Each session brings together reading, conversation, writing instruction, and time for your own creative exploration.
We'll begin with the words of spiritual writers from different traditions, allowing their poems and reflections to open questions and possibilities.
Rosemerry will guide conversations about the readings, introduce writing techniques, and invite you to explore your own responses through poetry.
Throughout the four weeks, you'll have opportunities to:
Read and discuss spiritual writing from sacred and secular traditions.
Explore poetry as a contemplative practice or form of prayer.
Use readings as inspiration for your own poems.
Learn and practice poetry-writing techniques.
Reflect on what emerges through the writing process.
Cultivate curiosity, self-compassion, and wonder.
Connect with others through shared exploration of language and meaning.
The emphasis is on discovery rather than performance. You don't need to arrive with a finished poem, a particular writing style, or even an idea of what you want to say.
Bring something to write with, an open mind, and a willingness to see what happens.
Who Should Attend?
If You're New to Poetry
Maybe you've always wanted to write but aren't sure how to begin. Or perhaps you enjoy journaling and wonder what it would be like to explore poetry.
This workshop offers a welcoming place to experiment with language, follow your curiosity, and discover your own approach to writing.
If You Already Write Poetry
Whether you write regularly or return to poetry from time to time, this immersion offers fresh inspiration, new writing techniques, and opportunities to deepen your creative practice.
If You're Drawn to Spirituality & Contemplation
You may be a minister, spiritual companion, contemplative practitioner, or someone curious about the relationship between creativity and spiritual life.
Together, we'll explore how poetry can help us listen, reflect, and engage with the mystery of being human.
If You Want to Experience the Community
All are welcome, including One Spirit students, graduates, and people encountering our community for the first time. You don't need to follow a particular spiritual tradition, or any at all, or have experience with writing or poetry.
About Your Facilitator
“In this four-week class, we’ll read spiritual writers from diverse traditions (both sacred and secular). We’ll converse about their writings, then use their work to launch into our own words and wonderment. It’s a class devoted to discovery, curiosity, self-compassion, and contemplation.”
—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer has been writing and sharing a poem a day since 2006—a practice that especially nourished her after the death of her teenage son and father in 2021, helping her stay more present with her daughter, husband, and the life that is still here. Her daily poems can be found on her blog, A Hundred Falling Veils, or a curated version (with optional writing prompts) on her daily audio series, The Poetic Path, available on your phone with the Ritual app.
She also co-hosts Emerging Form (a podcast on creative process), Secret Agents of Change (a surreptitious kindness cabal), and Soul Writer’s Circle. Her poetry has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, PBS News Hour, O Magazine, American Life in Poetry, on Carnegie Hall stage, and on river rocks she leaves around town. Her collection Hush won the Halcyon Prize. Naked for Tea was a finalist for the Able Muse Book Award. Her most recent collections are All the Honey, The Unfolding and The Wonderment.
In January 2024, she became the first poet laureate for Evermore, helping others through this platform to explore grief, bereavement, wonder, and love through the voice of poetry. Themes in her writings include parenting, gardening, the natural world, love, thriving and failure, grief, and daily life. She’s been an organic fruit grower, a newspaper and magazine editor, and a parent educator for Parents as Teachers. She earned her MA in English Language & Linguistics at UW-Madison.
She is also the author of Exploring Poetry of Presence II: Prompts to Deepen Your Writing Practice. Her spoken-word albums include Dark Praise, which explores “endarkenment,” and Risking Love, which explores loving even when it seems impossible. Both are available anywhere you listen to music.
Her three-word mantra: I’m still learning, and, if limited to one: Adjust.
Explore more of Rosemerry's work on her website: Word Woman
Registration Details
What Your Registration Includes
Four live, interactive sessions with renowned poet laureate Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.
Workshop recordings for each week, accessible through June 30, 2027.
Readings from diverse sacred and secular spiritual writers.
Poetry-writing instruction and guided opportunities to write and share your work.
Community conversation and post-class reflection questions throughout the four weeks.
Registration Pricing
Public: $175 · OSLA Affiliated Alumni: $135
Taking more than one workshop? Buy 3, save 15%. Buy 4, save 20%!
Discount applied automatically at checkout.OSLA Alumni: Log in to your OSLA Portal to apply your affiliate discount.
Not affiliated yet? Learn More about Affiliation
After You Register
You'll receive a confirmation email with instructions for accessing the workshop's Hylo Course Board, where you'll find the course Zoom link, workshop materials, and additional details for participation.
Can't attend live? The recording will be available within 72 hours of the workshop to the Hylo Course Board.
Questions? Contact help@1spirit.org.