The Weight We Carry: A Poetry Gathering on Memory, Inheritance, and What Remains

Join us for The Weight We Carry, a poignant gathering dedicated to exploring the memories, inheritances, and the unseen connections that bind us across generations. 🌿

We often carry with us:

• A phrase spoken by a parent.
• A song from our childhood.
• Gestures that echo through time.
• Silences that remain unnamed. 🤫

Visible inheritances might include:

• A cherished photograph.
• A beloved recipe.
• A treasured piece of jewelry.
• A book filled with history.

Yet, many inheritances dwell quietly within us, such as:

• A language once spoken.
• A fear without origin.
• A tenderness from those who have passed on.
• Survival instincts that no longer serve us. 🔍

Every one of us carries a multitude of histories in our bodies, voices, habits, and desires. These can be both a shelter and a heavy burden, potentially igniting the essence of poetry as we navigate the duality of our existence.

Together, we will delve into the burdens and gifts shared through family histories, ancestral voices, migration tales, belonging, language, love, grief, resilience, and how our past continues to mold our present. 🌎❤️

Throughout history, poets like Seamus Heaney, Mahmoud Darwish, Li-Young Lee, Ocean Vuong, and Jane Hirshfield have examined these themes. Their works remind us that while we strive to carry our past, we must also find ways to honor those before us without becoming bound by their unfinished narratives.

This gathering invites you to reflect on:

• How do we carry our past without being overwhelmed by it? 🤔
• How do we honor our ancestors while moving forward?
• What legacies reside within us as names, places, and languages fade?
• What do we pass on — consciously or unconsciously? 🌱

Don’t miss this opportunity for introspection and communion through poetry, music, and connection!

📍 Location: 1250 Addison St Suite 111, Berkeley, CA 94702
👉 RSVP on Meetup — spaces may be limited. Come to listen, share, and connect!