Bloom was a five-day poetry workshop organized collaboratively by the Writing Center and David J. Rusk Library to commemorate World Poetry Day on March 21, 2025. The intention of this workshop was to tap into participants' artistic sensibilities by encouraging them to observe nature and explore how both they and others interact with, perceive, and express it through poetry.
During Bloom, participants delved into various elements of poetry, including imagery, metaphors, and simile. Accompanied by a nature walk to Godawari, it deepened their sensory connection with the natural world, inspiring reflection and creativity. This immersive experience became the foundation for their first steps in crafting poetry. Through thoughtful exploration of each poet's ideas, intentions, and rhythms, students worked to strengthen the emotional and imaginative bond between their writing and their readers.
Additionally, the poets worked on the fundamentals of performance, learning to embody their poem through intentional silences, gestures, and stance. As the workshop drew to a close, participants and the team of Writing Center and David J. Rusk Library celebrated World Poetry Day with heartfelt performances of their original pieces.
The students' writings will be published in a chapbook - a memoir of both the poets and the journey they shared through this workshop.
