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Dian Parker's avatar

This is just so delicious. I love how you nail the problems as well as the beauty of workshops. We’ve all had both. And Molloy is sheer genius. Thank you for your long essay, just delightful and moving. I was a Barbie once in a poetry workshop led by a famous poet. He lambasted my poem about my abortion. He actually said, “that’s not how it goes.” Because I was so young, I shriveled and became paralyzed. Fortunately a man stood up, one of the attendees, and said how dare you, etc. to the teacher. The guy was livid and continued to lambast the famous poet who then became paralyzed. That man who stood up was my age, my savior, my truth teller. May we all be brave enough. Bless you, Sabrina.

Sabrina Orah Mark's avatar

Oh! I love that. More and more we need to stand up for each other. Workshop is a good exercise in empathy and bravery and kindness.

lucy cash's avatar

As Dian says, this is DELICIOUS! I feel all of this in my bones (which now I know, and it’s good to know, will never find themselves reconfigured against a living room wall… 😊)

Graison Gill's avatar

This is incredible Sabrina, thank you so much for sharing

Sabrina Orah Mark's avatar

Thank you, Graison!

Stefanie Levine Cohen's avatar

Always so genius and heart-led! Thank you for this wonderful essay and for the privilege of sitting repeatedly in the zoom that replaces the garage that Names built.

Kristen Iskandrian's avatar

Brilliant, my friend

Holly Starley's avatar

Wow. I’m saving this to read again. And to share with my workshop cohosts. This is my favorite thing I’ve ever read about workshops, and it rings so true.

Sabrina Orah Mark's avatar

Thank you, Holly! ❤️

Holly Starley's avatar

♥️ I found you on this platform after reading Happily, by the way. And it is WONDERFUL!

Hallie Bateman's avatar

😭 I love your writing and your writing about writing. Thank you for this.

Deborah J. Stein's avatar

Sabrina, I cannot stop thinking about this and just thank you.

"I believe we are all in so much pain because we dont spend enough time witnessing each other." oomen to this and all the rest. Love, Deb