THE CLEARING
On Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Awbury Arboretum in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, ConsenSIS hosted The Clearing retreat for more than fifty Black women and femme poets.
Inspired by the embodied sanctity of The Clearing scene in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved, we gathered Black women and femme poets in a beautiful, green space for a day of rest, play, reflection, and writing. Poets were invited to participate in “walkshops” along Awbury trails renamed for Black women and femme “anSISter” poets with Philly connections.
We created several rest and play vignettes for attendees to enjoy during the retreat, including Victorian sofas, throne chairs, doubledutch ropes, hula hoops, watercolor paints, and a typewriter. Following the retreat, the late afternoon Clearing public reading invited neighbors and visitors to Awbury to hear live readings by eight Black women and femme poets who were representative of the ConsenSIS community.
Photography by Tieshka Smith and Museum of Black Joy
REFLECTIONS ON THE CLEARING
At The Clearing I felt part of the chosen few, and in tandem, I sensed that I belonged to a collective that embraced my Puerto Rican Caribbean islander self, and welcomed me with the boldest and warmest of “sisterly affection.” It was a sunny and bright summer day, and I stayed for most of the duration of the program and got to indulge in live poetry that was both heartfelt and performed with passion. A gift among the gifts of the day.
— Bren Muñoz
Sometimes, as an African American woman I get accustomed to being invisible, an invisibility that keeps me in a state of grinding, producing without recognition of the ways I’ve contributed. Taking a moment to breathe, acknowledge, create and improvise in a safe space was healing. ConsenSIS was that safe space, a sanctuary.
— Julie Rainbow
Ah, to let go and receive
the invitation to a yellow velvet
reverie, the summer-sunned beauty
of Black women against green leaves
— Naila Francis
The title I most felt while at The Clearing, however, was…“beloved.” “This is for you, Sis. You’re worth it,” the invitation had said. And I felt loved on.
— Mariam Williams
THE CLEARING COLLABORATORS
Venue
Awbury Arboretum
Griots
Mama Marcy Francis, Michelle Currica Hernandez, Dr. Jan Jeffries, Karen Smith
Walkshop Leaders
Doriana Diaz, Angel Hogan, Julie Rainbow, and Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon
Host/Featured Reader
Nina "Lyrispect" Ball
Featured Readers
Jasmine Combs, Kai Davis, Zawadi Levy, Trapeta B. Mayson, Pat McLean-Smith, Yolanda Wisher, and Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon
Volunteers
Elijah Alexis, Enoch Church, Vernon Gardner, Eugene George, LaTonya Grant, Autumn McClintock, Mark Palacio, Theo Palacio, Monty Savage
Pop-up Recording Studio Engineer
Stephanie Seymour
Sound
Serenity Sound Productions
Papel Picado Art + Banners
Karina Puente
Public Typewriter
Philly Typewriter
Vintage Books + Furniture
Black Soul Vintage, Fox and Finch Vintage Rentals
Breakfast & Lunch Catering
Smokin’ Sone’s Fresh Grill
Snacks
Lil Pop Shop