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The 2019 Cave Canem Retreat Album!

Cave Canem’s week-long retreat for Black poets at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg took place June 9 –15, 2019, and brought together writers from diverse poetic traditions. The retreat provided an unparalleled opportunity to study with a world-class faculty, which included Cave Canem co-founder Cornelius Eady, Ruth Ellen Kocher, Dawn Lundy Martin, Willie Perdomo and guest poet Matthew Shenoda. One fellow raved, “I was very inspired by my peers and the faculty and staff. Cave Canem is a blessing, not only to black poets, but to black culture and the world.”

It is our pleasure to introduce this year’s 2019 retreat fellows, new and returning! Below, enjoy the following photo archive capturing highlights from the 2019 retreat!

(Top) Cave Canem faculty members Willie Perdomo (left) and Dawn Lundy Martin (middle) engage in a moderated discussion with fellow Taylor Johnson (right) at the Cave Canem Faculty Reading & Conversation. Dawn Lundy Martin (bottom left) and Willie Perdomo (bottom right) share work during the event. Photo Credit: Marcus Jackson

Fellows Jennifer Falu (top left), Cameron Awkward-Rich (top right), Saleem Hue Penny (bottom left) and Camonghne Felix (bottom right) read their work at a Cave Canem fellows reading. Photo Credit: Marcus Jackson

(Top) Co-founder and acclaimed poet Toi Derricotte reads original poetry and shares thoughts with participants. (Bottom) Board member and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tyehimba Jess presents at the retreat. Photo Credit: Marcus Jackson

Co-founder and faculty member Cornelius Eady performs at City of Asylum/Pittsburg. Photo Credit: City of Asylum/Pittsburgh

(Top) Faculty member Ruth Ellen Kocher presents at City of Asylum/Pittsburgh. Photo Credit: City of Asylum/Pittsburgh (Bottom) Guest poet Matthew Shenoda delivers a craft talk, entitled On Noticing: Notes on Aesthetic Ambition & the Post-Colonial Poet. Photo Credit: Marcus Jackson

Fellows, faculty, guests and staff pose for a group photo. Photo Credit: City of Asylum/Pittsburgh

Fellows take impromptu selfies during the group photo. Photo Credit: City of Asylum/Pittsburgh

A retreat tradition: fellows, faculty, guests and staff convene on Athena steps for a final group photo at week’s end! Photo Credit: Marcus Jackson

“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

2015-11-26T15:29:19-05:00

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

2015-11-26T15:31:58-05:00

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

2015-11-26T15:44:16-05:00

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

2015-11-26T15:44:48-05:00

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

2015-11-26T15:51:22-05:00

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/