Connemara

Friday, June 8th the Upstate Writing Project embarked on a journey to Flat Rock, North Carolina. After an hour-long drive we arrived. Our group of eager students, unsure of what to expect, gathered in a cozy park like setting, surrounded by nature. We began our day with a writing opportunity. I immediately observed my surroundings, and in turn wondered what my surroundings thought of me….

Carl Sandburg’s Home (10:00am)-
Ouch, another group coming through. Person after person, they come to observe me, and yet they really want to know about Carl. They want to know where he lived, what he did, and how he thought. Luckily for them, I’ve preserved everything exactly as it was the day he left. Look here, another one of those purple shirts. She seems particularly interested in the books and magazines Carl read. She should check out the TIME magazine with Buzz Aldrin on the cover. I remember that like it was yesterday, but I bet she doesn’t, she looks too young. Over here, come see Carl’s organizational system. Look at her chuckle; she must get a kick out of his cardboard boxes just as much as did. Can you believe this man wrote two Pulitzer Prize winning pieces? She’s talking about Illinois, sounds like she relates to Carl’s upbringing in a small mid-western town. I guess the tour is over. I’ll bet I gave her a pretty good impression of what Carl was really like.

Picnic Tables (12:30)-
Wow, they’re hungry!

Quaint Bridge on Walking Trail (1:30)-
Another purple shirt…these people must have something in common. Wait a minute this one looks like she’s stopping. What, she doesn’t want to walk across me to get to the other side? It’s not like a have troll beneath my planks asking three questions. Oh, I see. She has a pencil and notebook. She must be a writer. In fact, I’m just sure of it. She’s all by herself looking for a place to stop. I personally would recommend the rock by the creek. Smart girl, she’ll get a good view of the lake and beautiful scenery. Why does she keep looking at me? Oh, I get it. Perhaps she’ll capture the beauty of my spindles, the purpose of my existence. I wonder if she noticed the patina only age could bring. Wait a minute…it looks like she’s sketching. Why would a writer sketch? I bet she wants to capture my beauty as inspiration for revising and editing her work down the road. Done already…it’s only been an hour and a half. Farwell purple-shirted writer!

Bird Beside Upstate Writing Project Sharing Circle (3:30)-
What beautiful poetry, what inspirational prose, this group is utterly delightful. There words are peaceful and reflective. Surely even Carl would be proud of these visitors here at Connemara. CRACK. Why do they look worried? Why are they stopping? SPLISH…SPLASH. Wait, it’s only a little rain. Stay a little longer. Share your stories, for this is truly writer’s place. Goodbye Upstate Writer’s Project, until we meet again next year.

We departed from Carl Sandburg’s home in the midst of a summer shower, actually, it was more like a down-pour. We found inspiration from the man himself, and his surroundings. We were each able to emulate Carl’s writing, even if for a brief moment. What a great man…what an inspiring trip!