An Exercise in Reflective Writing with Elizabeth Austen

"I want to share a technique that I teach Health Care Providers. It is a tool to tend to our hearts and stay connected to the heart of care. A way to summon a sense of interest and discovery about our feelings. It's difficult to be judging when you are curious."As the Washington State Poet Laureate for 2014-16, Elizabeth Austen traveled to all of the state's 39 counties, offering writing workshops and giving readings. Her collection Every Dress a Decision (Blue Begonia Press, 2011) was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. She’s also the author of two chapbooks, The Girl Who Goes Alone (Floating Bridge Press, 2010) and Where Currents Meet (Toadlily Press, 2010). Her poems have been featured on The Writer’s Almanac and Verse Daily, in the Los Angeles Review, Bellingham Review and Willow Springs. She has been featured at Poets House in New York City, Minneapolis's The Loft, the Skagit River Poetry Festival, Spokane's Get Lit!, Seattle's Cheap Wine and Poetry and Bumbershoot, among others. Elizabeth produces poetry programming for NPR-affiliate KUOW 94.9 and earned an MFA at Antioch University Los Angeles. She makes her living at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she also offers poetry and journaling workshops for the staff.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org