Graveyard Poetry: A Workshop

Historic headstones and century-old pathways serve as muse for writers exploring themes of mortality and remembrance. Graveyard Poetry: A Workshop takes place Saturday, April 26 at the Miami City Cemetery as part of the O, Miami Poetry Festival running throughout April.

This immersive workshop, led by poets Manny Saints and Kira Rosemarie, draws inspiration from the 18th-century Graveyard School of poetry, a literary movement known for its contemplation of mortality, nature, history and social commentary. The historic Miami City Cemetery provides both setting and inspiration for participants to create their own reflective works.

The afternoon begins with a brief introduction to the cemetery's history and significance to Miami, along with an overview of the Graveyard Poetry genre and its influential practitioners. Participants will then have 45 minutes to explore the grounds independently, finding inspiration among the monuments and markers that tell stories of the city's past.

Following the exploration period, the group will reconvene on the cemetery lawn where attendees can share their newly created poems in an informal reading circle. This collaborative environment offers writers the opportunity to respond to both the physical space and the literary tradition it evokes.

Manny Saints, a Honduran-American poet from Miami, brings his background in community building through storytelling and expression to the workshop. Co-facilitator Kira Rosemarie, originally from Kentucky but now a Florida resident, contributes her multidisciplinary perspective as a poet, artist and practitioner of the occult traditions.

Participants are encouraged to dress in black attire fitting the contemplative setting and to bring blankets for the outdoor gathering.