Hey there, The Nantucket Living Lab semester 2013 is fantastic. First class Eco-Poetics, taught me a lot about public speaking and using art of poetry to communicate science. For example, this is the first poem I ever wrote:

Sand Dunes

Aeolian landscape inevitable to change

At any moment in time sandstones will grind

Wind erosion, isn’t that a commotion?

Always moving sand particles influences grooving

Like abstract art the surrounding are bizarre

Moving on the angle of repose a sand dune may form I suppose

With constant motion the landscape changes like the ocean

Thank you Len for making me realize that writing poems is not a big deal.  Thank you to all the people who made the Nantucket Living Lab semester 2013 possible. Big ups to all the students for participating in the program.

EcoPoetics has come to an end sadly. It was a great three weeks. We had such an awesome teacher *Len Germinara* and so many interesting speakers that came to talk to us, which we were all so grateful for. All the students are supportive and respectful, and that really helped create a safe environment to read poetry. All the poems I heard were really fantastic! EcoPoetics was helpful in connecting with everything that was going on around us, from the beautiful Nantucket landscape to living with strangers (now friends). Three weeks down and many more to go!

Jetti beach

Swings creaking, moving, dancing

seashells crunch with every step

wind stealing scarfs from peoples necks

birds gossiping into the breeze

waves crashing on to the shore

this is the music of late January.

My favorite picture of Cisco beach so far. Taken 2 weeks before Nemo.

I can’t believe we are already done with our first block of class, Eco-poetics.  I have to say that I have a newfound repect for poetry in general.  When I first heard that this was going to be one of our classes I was not happy about it.  It only took one or two classes for me to figure out that it wasn’t what I though it was going to be, and I actually enjoyed writing some poems.  I have to to extend my thanks to Len Germinara for exposing us all to the art of peotry, rather than shove it down our throats.  His emphasis on the fact that poetry does not have to have any form and allowing us the freedom to write about anything we wanted made it impossible not to enjoy what we were doing.  We were lucky to have the many guest speakers, from local author Nathanial Philbrick to Poetry Slam legend Regie Gibson.  So, Thank You Lenny. We crammed a lot of fun, art, island history, public engagment and coming together as a group into these first three weeks.  I couldn’t have imagined this adventure starting out any better and I am excited for whatever is to come.  I also want to thank my fellow students for being who they are and making this experience what it has been and will be when its over, you guys rock!  Lets continue to be tight and help each other when its needed.  Oh yeah……and keep PLAYING LIKE CHAMPIONS!!