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The 2018 Retreat Album

Cave Canem’s week-long retreat, held annually at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, offers an unparalleled opportunity for Black poets to study with a world-class faculty and join a community of peers.

This year’s faculty comprised Guggenheim awardee, Chris Abani; Cave Canem co-founder, Cornelius Eady; 2018 Pulitzer Prize finalist, Evie Shockley; and 2004 Cave Canem Poetry Prize winner, Amber Flora Thomas. Los Angeles Poet Laureate, Robin Coste Lewis, was the 2018 guest poet.

Below we document some memorable moments from the 2018 retreat.

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Cornelius Eady and Evie Shockley alongside fellows Essence London and Dustin Pearson (top) following a reading and conversation. Fellows (bottom) listen intently to readings by Cornelius Eady and Evie Shockley.

Cornelius Eady (left) and Evie Shockley (right) engage in a moderated conversation with graduate fellow and retreat coordinator, Dante Micheaux (middle).

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Fellows Brionne Janae, Malcolm Tariq and Kush Thompson (counter clockwise from top) present original work in one of two fellows’ readings.

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Cave Canem faculty Chris Abani and Amber Flora Thomas (bottom), as well as guest poet Robin Coste Lewis (top right) read at City of Asylum/Pittsburgh. They are later joined by Evie Shockley (top left) for a group photo.

city of asylum collage pic 2

Following the craft talk at City of Asylum, Dante Micheaux (top left) participates in the Q & A; fellow Jessica Lanay (top right) takes notes during the reading; fellow Raymond Antrobus (bottom left) looks on while Robin Coste Lewis delivers her craft talk; and graduate fellows and faculty (bottom left) gather for a group photo.

2018 retreat group photo

A Cave Canem retreat annual tradition, 2018 fellows, faculty and staff gather at Athena steps for a final group photo at the end of the week.

“There is nothing like being seen by the eyes of those who, without explanation, understand why you do what you do when you do it. There is nothing like not having to decode or apologize for the sweet pleasure of a word or phrase that will not let loose of your ear.”

Nikky Finney, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South

2015-11-26T15:29:19-04:00

Nikky Finney, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South

“There is nothing like being seen by the eyes of those who, without explanation, understand why you do what you do when you do it. There is nothing like not having to decode or apologize for the sweet pleasure of a word or phrase that will not let loose of your ear.”

https://cavecanempoets.org/testimonials/nikky-finney-the-ringing-ear-black-poets-lean-south/

“Cave Canem is a kind of heaven, yes. It’s not just that we are speaking to each other there as black people; it’s that we’ve lived the lives of black poets. We’ve faced the fears, the hurts, and we’re still poets. To undertake and stay with this task, usually so unrewarded, creates a kind of strength and compassion that is enormous.”

Toi Derricotte

2015-11-26T15:31:58-04:00

Toi Derricotte

“Cave Canem is a kind of heaven, yes. It’s not just that we are speaking to each other there as black people; it’s that we’ve lived the lives of black poets. We’ve faced the fears, the hurts, and we’re still poets. To undertake and stay with this task, usually so unrewarded, creates a kind of strength and compassion that is enormous.”

https://cavecanempoets.org/testimonials/toi-derricotte/

“Back in 2000 when I was first accepted at Cave Canem, I was working part-time at a bookstore making less than $7 an hour. The scholarship I received was the only reason I was able to attend, and it changed my writing life by introducing me to mentors like Toi Derricotte and Nikky Finney and eventually connecting me to the editor who published my first book. Please consider changing another poet's life by supporting Cave Canem financially.”

Traci Dant, Fellow

2015-11-26T15:44:16-04:00

Traci Dant, Fellow

“Back in 2000 when I was first accepted at Cave Canem, I was working part-time at a bookstore making less than $7 an hour. The scholarship I received was the only reason I was able to attend, and it changed my writing life by introducing me to mentors like Toi Derricotte and Nikky Finney and eventually connecting me to the editor who published my first book. Please consider changing another poet's life by supporting Cave Canem financially.”

https://cavecanempoets.org/testimonials/284/

“While I can't even begin to measure Cave Canem's value to me personally (community, friendship, rigor), we all can see the radical movement it’s occasioned in American poetry. To be plain: it's changed—and is changing—the face(s) of our literary landscape. How often in our lives will we be able to participate in something as important and beautiful? It's a joy to support this."

Ross Gay, Fellow

2015-11-26T15:44:48-04:00

Ross Gay, Fellow

“While I can't even begin to measure Cave Canem's value to me personally (community, friendship, rigor), we all can see the radical movement it’s occasioned in American poetry. To be plain: it's changed—and is changing—the face(s) of our literary landscape. How often in our lives will we be able to participate in something as important and beautiful? It's a joy to support this."

https://cavecanempoets.org/testimonials/285/

“By the time I leave a CC Retreat, I can feel that the internal imperative to Write! has shifted from an obsessive, isolating quality to one of deep communal rites and responsibilities – what healthier transition exists for an artist?

Geffrey Davis

2015-11-26T15:51:22-04:00

Geffrey Davis

“By the time I leave a CC Retreat, I can feel that the internal imperative to Write! has shifted from an obsessive, isolating quality to one of deep communal rites and responsibilities – what healthier transition exists for an artist?

https://cavecanempoets.org/testimonials/geffrey-davis/