Scott in the Ferns at Silk Creek

Scott in the Ferns at Silk Creek, photo by Mary Stebbins.

See also Scott's Cow, by Mary Stebbins.

Silk Creek Ferns

Ferns in the "Adirondack" area of Silk Creek, photo by Scott Carter

See also Trees Abstract, by Scott Carter

Leaves at Silk Creek

Leaves at Silk Creek, by Scott Carter

See also Leaf on Rock, by Scott

Nightshade Berries, Silk Creek. Photo by Mary Stebbins 

Silk Creek Review Editor Scott Carter Writes on the Brink of the gorge at Silk Creek. The Silk Creek Retreat happened privately this weekend because we were unable to open it to the public this year. Photo by Mary Stebbins
 

The Plunge (First poem from Silk Creek Retreat '05)

The Plunge

Tonight was your first time. You stepped

Toward dark waters, burdened with blankets and light.

Your first time. Dark weeds engulfed you,

nettles stung your bare legs. You struck

at them with a stick, as if they were serpent,

as if they were hungry, while the weight

of the night swung precariously

on your back. You reached out

a foot for stepping stone, a foot

for the dark water, and slipped. Sudden,

unexpected, you plunged into the icy creek.

Water swelled up around you, your body

slid into the dark current. Away downstream,

your hat swirled and you rose up to plunge

after it, staggering to shore with the prize, dripping,

angry, embarrassed. Your dumped a quart

and a half from each boot. Slogged up the hill,

home. All these years you've lived on the creek,

and you never fell in. Now you can laugh, and you do.

And you don't. You're poised on the creek bank

again in the nettles, one foot stretched

toward the water. You still have to cross

the dark water.

Mary Stebbins
For Scott Carter, At Silk Creek Retreat ‘05

(see note below about Retreat)

Silk Creek Retreat '05 and '06

Scott and I both had personal reasons for not being able to host a fully public Silk Creek Retreat this year. So we had a private one. The few individuals who were invited were unable to come, e.g.: jo(e), who went to the Monastery instead.

We hope next year to be able to host a public event, and we invite your feedback as to:

1. venue (location)
2. agenda
3. food

Silk Creek Retreat is in its eighth year and has always been hosted at Silk Creek, but various problems exist in continuing to do that, so we will probably have to seek a new venue. Silk Creek is a wild area, and the Silk Creek Retreat emphasizes nature writing and writing in nature. (Also other arts and photography--we invite artists, photographers and others to join the dialogue). Any venue suggested or chosen will have to meet the criteria of being in nature and having access to the wilds.

Do suggest other things we might consider when planning this event.

We have always camped and would like to be able to have that as an option, but we realize there are people who may not want to camp or may not, for health or other reasons, be able to camp.

We will be posting photos and writing samples from this year's private retreat and invite you to do likewise. If you want to join this blog, leave your email address or contact me for an invite.

Mary Stebbins, poetry editor for Silk Creek Review and retreat co-coordinator

With A Visitor to Silk Creek

With a visitor to Silk Creek: Silk Creek Review Editor, Scott Carter, with a visitor to Bubbles Cascades. Photo by Mary Stebbins

Cooling off at Bubbles Cascades, Silk Creek: It was the first day of fall yesterday, but warm enough to swim! Photo by Mary Stebbins 

Flotsam

Flotsam: A Milk Jug that washed down Silk Creek. An earlier photo (or scroll WAY down) shows Scott carrying this out of the creek. Photo by Mary Stebbins

(see also, Autumn Leaves and a Swirl of Foam, Deep Place and Fall in the Creek)

Silk Creek Near Sunset!

Silk Creek near Sunset, Today! Photo by Mary Stebbins

(We may be retreating here this Saturday!)

Mick Mather Event

WHO: Mick Mather

WHAT: "The Great New York State Fair Series" an exhibition of digital prints - manipulated
photographs taken at The Fair in August 2004.

View the invitation post card

WHERE: The Westcott Community Center Art Gallery, corner of Wetscott Street at Euclid Avenue

WHEN: Saturday, October 1st, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

WHY: Because we ALL need an ART NIGHT

HOW: Drive, walk, hitchhike, catch a cab, ride the bus


MICK SEZ: "Most of you who know me already understand that I'm an active participant in the
arts & cultural community of Central New York. This is important to me and I would like to
think that my presence at your exhibitions and openings over the years was been important to
you. In the spirit of strengthening this community of artists, patrons, friends and all those
interested in the arts, I trust that you will take an hour to visit me and my artwork on
October 1st."