Humans of Downey - Jean (2 of 2)

"I've known since I was a little girl that I should write. I would write poetry, but then I would get away from it. I wrote journals that set me in all kinds of adventures. And then I taught school. When I retired from teaching, I thought, 'Now is the time I should write.' But I was very reluctant about going to workshops where you would share each other's stories. I was kind of the 'dog' outside the door. They would say, 'Come on in' and I would say, 'I don't know, is it safe?'

"I had a friend that very kindly encouraged me and so I had gone to some poetry readings and learned about a workshop that was being held by a poet that I had never heard of, named David St. John. So, I went to that workshop and I would say it really was transformative. David is a very well-known American poet and he is a brilliant teacher. He had just the right touch to bring the 'dog' inside the house. When he is able to give workshops, I have studied with him. I am now working on my third poetry manuscript. He has definitely been a person to change the path of my life."
~ Jean