What would a paperclip say if it could talk?

Or a cowboy boot? Or one of the workers in ancient Egypt, helping to build a pyramid?

What about a knight in service to a queen in medieval France? 

This engaging and imaginative poetry workshop invites participants to explore the voices of unexpected speakers—objects, historical figures, and more—to spark creative inspiration. Guided by Lisa Zimmerman, an award-winning poet and experienced educator, attendees will experiment with persona poems, stepping into different perspectives to craft unique and dynamic pieces. Through interactive prompts and writing exercises, participants will develop their poetic voice while exploring storytelling, history, and emotional depth. Whether new to poetry or an experienced writer, this workshop offers a supportive space to play with language, uncover fresh ideas, and bring new perspectives to life on the page.

About the Poet:

Lisa Zimmerman is a professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Northern Colorado. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate in English and History from Colorado State University and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis.

Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in anthologies as well as magazines including Cave Wall, Florida Review, Poet Lore, Vox Populi, The Sun, SWWIM Every Day, Hole in the Head Review, and Amethyst Review, among other journals, and is the winner of Redbook Magazine’s Short Story contest.

She is the author of seven poetry collections, four chapbooks, including Sainted (Main Street Rag 2021) as well as three full-length books–The Light at the Edge of Everything (Anhinga Press), The Hours I Keep (Main Street Rag), and her debut poetry collection which won the 2004 Violet Reed Haas Poetry Award from Snake Nation Press. Her poetry has been nominated for Best of the Net and five times for the Pushcart Prize. One of her prose poems is included in The Best Small Fictions: 2020 Anthology (Sonder Press).