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In a sonorous nod to National Poetry Month, the SaddleBrooke Writers Group brought words to life during its groundbreaking Poet-Imagery Tea Event on Thursday, April 10 in the Sonoran room of the MountainView Clubhouse. The afternoon marked a first-of-its-kind literary gathering in the community, weaving poetry and visual art into an immersive sensory experience that enchanted both the eyes and the soul.

Twelve talented local poets and writers stepped into the spotlight to share their original works; each piece paired with vivid imagery that deepened the emotional impact of the spoken word.

The poets themselves selected some visualsā€”carefully curated to echo their versesā€”while others were brought into being with the help of modern technology. Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPTā€™s Image Generator, PowerPoint and Magic Studio played a surprising and creative role in shaping the visual narratives behind the poems.

The atmosphere was intimate and reflective, complete with tea, coffee and desserts, evoking the quiet magic of poetry gatherings from bygone eras, but with a distinctly modern twist. As each poet read, an accompanying illustration was projected, transforming the room into a gallery of imagination and emotion. See photos of the event.

Featured Poets and Their Works

Dawn Baker ā€“ Lady Bug Lady Bug Fly Away Home: Your House Is on Fire and Your Children Are Gone

• Bakerā€™s poem dove into themes of displacement, loss and the fragile nature of innocence, underscored by stark, evocative imagery of her burned California home.

Patricia Fremont ā€“ The Nature of Chattels

• Fremont explored the weight of possessions and the emotional residue they carry. Her poem questioned the line between ownership and burden, illustrated with images that juxtaposed antique objects with fading memories.

Alice Frier ā€“ They and We and She

• A poignant reflection on societal norms and beliefs, Frierā€™s poem navigated the shifting sands of the U.S. stance on immigration. Her visuals mirrored the ambiguity of individualsā€™ belonging and acceptance.

Jim Meyer ā€“ Colors

• A joyful burst of synesthetic delight, Meyerā€™s ā€œode to huesā€ was a celebration of how color can shape perception and mood. The AI-generated art was a kaleidoscope of tones, bringing the stanzas to vibrant life, even though the authorā€™s favorite color is grey.

Bill Moody ā€“ For the Love of Diving

• Moody took listeners beneath the surfaceā€”literally and figurativelyā€”with a poetic dive into the deep sea. Accompanied by stunning underwater scenes, his poem captured the audience with ocean explorationā€™s meditative silence and beauty.

Karen Petrou ā€“ A Healing Land

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• A tribute to the Sonoran Desert, Petrouā€™s work highlighted the powerful effect of the desert landscapes on our souls. Her visuals depicted the beauty of nature.

Mary Richling ā€“ Green

• Richling also celebrated nature and the green color of plants in ĆŪčÖÖ±²„. Each stanza was a beautiful brushstroke, rich with lush visuals that reminded the audience of ĆŪčÖÖ±²„ā€™s plants and landscape.

Diana Sigler ā€“ Dishes

• In a refreshingly domestic and relatable piece, Sigler elevated the ordinary to the poetic. A meditation on repetition and memory, her images showcased new dishes, cracked plates and kitchen sinks with dish soap in unexpected beauty.

John Smith ā€“ On the Levee

• A brooding, reflective piece that conjured images of an old couple and emotional undercurrents. Smithā€™s poem captured the connection between our lives and reflections, reinforced by moody, AI-crafted mountains and sunset.

Stuart Watkins ā€“ Money Gardens

• Watkinsā€™ satirical and whimsical work imagined a world where currency grew on treesā€”a playful fantasy. His visuals turned greenbacks into blooming flora, blurring the line between desire and easy wealth.

Evelin Wiltshire ā€“ Cactus Chaos

• Wiltshireā€™s sharp, energetic poem captured her experience playing golf in SaddleBrooke while being ā€œattackedā€ by cacti and needing to retreat. Her imagery featured golf carts and players, golf balls and golf clubs, tangled thorns and radiant blooms.

Irina Zlatogorova ā€“ My Knowledge is a Pond

• In a serene, introspective piece, Zlatogorova likened the accumulation of wisdom to a quiet body of waterā€”reflective, deep and calm. The accompanying visuals of a river, lake, sea, ocean and a still pond enhanced the meditative mood by connecting the element of water with the infinite pool of universal consciousness.

At the end of the event, conversations buzzed with admiration and inspiration. Many attendees expressed hope that the Poet-Imagery Tea would become a new SaddleBrooke tradition, blending the timeless power of poetry with the endless possibilities of modern technology.

The event wasnā€™t just a showcase of talentā€”it was a reminder that creativity thrives in collaboration, and that poetry, like art, continues to evolve in exciting ways.

For SaddleBrooke residents interested in joining the Writers Group, call Mary Richling at (520) 437-8329 or send an email to jmrichling@yahoo.com. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Catalina Room, located at 38735 S. Mountain View Boulevard.