In the Clearing

"The Clearing" is the name of a place, an education and retreat center located in Wisconsin's Door County. The title of the book literally refers to being in this location. However, it is more of a metaphor than a simple descriptor. The idyllic and peaceful landscape setting of the center includes forest, meadow and a dramatic escarpment and shingle beach facing Lake Michigan. At the heart of In the Clearing is a poem in haibun form that I wrote while I was at The Clearing. The poem is contained within a photo essay that is a visual extension of the poem. Thematically, it deals with an experience of nature as a human construct as well as a struggle with the nature of creative expression at once personal and universal.