Marie Marchand : Poetry As Healing

Marie Marchand
Poet Laureate of Ellensburg, WA

 

 

 

 

For 35 years, poetry—both the reading and writing of it—has been my constant companion. Being a civic poet is a dream come true. What an incredible opportunity to share my love of poetry! I enjoy introducing poetry as a means of deep personal transformation while also building community at the same time.

As the first Poet Laureate of Ellensburg, Washington, my role is to lift up poetry and the literary arts by providing engaging, inclusive programming throughout the community, including: 

      ·      monthly poetry salons where everyone can participate

      ·      poetry healing circles to support people’s mental health

      ·      poetry workshops in K-12 schools

Nestled in the sun-drenched Kittitas Valley east of the Cascade Mountain Range, Ellensburg is on the traditional lands of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. With a population of 21,000, Ellensburg has a large farming community and is home to Central Washington University. Each year, the town hosts the state’s longest-running rodeo (since 1923). Gem hunters hike the area in search of the rare Ellensburg blue agate stone. This quaint, windy town also has a growing art scene, evidenced by its popular First Friday Art Walks. In April 2022, the City of Ellensburg Arts Commission added the Poet Laureate Program to its list of community offerings.

As Poet Laureate, I am collaborating with people and organizations on healing projects, such as poetry nature walks, co-sponsored by Northwest Expressive Arts Response (NEAR), a nonprofit in Ellensburg. I’m also composing the City Poem, which will be unveiled at the conclusion of my first year in the role. My new poetry book Gifts to the Attentive was published in May 2022, so I’ve also been extra busy giving readings and book signings in the region.

A few years ago, I composed a poetry mission statement that still resonates with me today: “I write poetry to capture beauty through language and imagery in hopes of healing myself and the world.” My hope is that my time as Ellensburg Poet Laureate spreads some much needed healing throughout the community, and that people will find a home in poetry.

 

 

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To read more of Marie’s poetry, visit https://mishiepoet.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @mishiepoet. To learn more about the Ellensburg Poet Laureate role, visit https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/1149/Poet-Laureate.

 

 

 

 

Marie Marchand is Poet Laureate of Ellensburg, WA. Her poetry has been published in Catamaran Literary Reader, California Quarterly, Paterson Literary Review, Tiny Seed Journal, High Plains Register, and numerous chapbooks. She has two books of poetry: Pink Sunset Luminaries (2018) and Gifts to the Attentive (Winter Goose Publishing, 2022). Her poetry has been recognized by the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards, Wyoming Writers Prize, and Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest. Marie is a mental health advocate with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Stability Network. She believes that poetry is a testament to the triumph of hope over despair. She graduated from Naropa University and The Iliff School of Theology where she studied psychology, religion, and peacemaking. You can read her poetry at mishiepoet.com and follow her on Twitter @mishiepoet.