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Writers outside the fence continue their talent in full circle
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What do Barbara, James, Walter, Cachet, Barry, Lia, Baari, Irene, Gerry, Bernard and Linda have in common? All are gifted writers and wish to share their thoughts to those willing to listen. Those fortunate enough to hear what they had to say were not disappointed; as they portrayed their talent on June 9, 2009 at the Enoch Pratt Central Library in the Edgar Allen Poe Room, located at 400 Cathedral Street in downtown Baltimore.
The occasion is part of the Writing Outside the Fence workshop, a free writing program that primarily caters to ex-offenders and their extended community. Meetings are held at the Reentry Center in Mondawmin Mall every Tuesday between 5 -7 pm. The workshop’s founder, Lucy Bucknell, is a writing professor at Johns Hopkins University and started the program in May 2006. The unique program receives no funding and is run entirely by volunteers. The popular program had a writer’s contest earlier this year that drew 150 people sending in more than 400 writing entries.
The evening group touched on many topics ranging from work, honoring one’s mother, risque neighbors and family. Creative titles and readings emerged such as Bernard Johnson’s “Letters to Transvestites on St. Paul Street” about prostitution in an urban setting, Baari Shabazz’s “Rooftop Games” about childhood games and the repetition it carries in one’s head and Linda Franklin’s “On the Verge of Falls Road” about eclectic metaphors in the Hampden community laced with artistic and visual imagery.
This special night of rhymes, reason and realism continues to play its part as these talented individuals remain focused in their writing craft.
More information on this topic can be viewed at www.urbanitebaltimore.com (#57) and http://www.examiner.com/x-10989-Baltimore-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m5d25-Writing-outside-the-fence
