Episode Title: Poetry for Peace: I Can't Help But Love This World as I Know It Is Dying

Episode Description: Each week, in her midweek Pause for Peace, acclaimed writing teacher Laura Davis pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering listeners a respite for both heart and nervous system. These midweek pauses provide essential moments of reflection, healing, and inspiration in our dangerous, uncertain world.

In this episode, Laura shares a deeply moving poem by her own writing teacher, Carolyn Brigit Flynn. Laura explores how this piece perfectly illustrates the power of objects in writing while addressing themes of love, loss, and survival in our chaotic world. This episode offers writers and listeners alike a moment of reflection through the pairing of meaningful poetry with thoughtful commentary.

What Laura Covers in This Episode:

The essential role of coming together as ethical people in a world of chaos and cruelty

How objects function as powerful literary devices in poetry and memoir

The tension between loving our material world and recognizing its impermanence

What we choose to carry forward and preserve for future generations

About Host Laura Davis: Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience guiding writers through the complexities of memoir and personal narrative. Her award-winning memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars, won the prestigious BookLife Prize in 2021. Laura has built a reputation for creating heart-centered, accessible content that serves both the craft of writing and the emotional wellbeing of her students and readers.

Through her Midweek Pause for Peace series, Laura pairs beautiful imagery with meaningful poetry, offering writers and seekers consistent moments of reflection, beauty, and nervous system regulation. Her teaching emphasizes practical craft techniques—like the use of objects in writing—while honoring the deeper purpose of storytelling in troubled times. Laura's work bridges the gap between technical skill and emotional resonance, making her an invaluable guide for memoirists and personal essayists navigating their creative journeys.

About Carolyn Brigit Flynn: Poet, essayist, and teacher based in Santa Cruz, California. She teaches Writing to Feed Your Soul Workshops. Her forthcoming memoir, The Light of Ordinary Days, will be out this spring with Girl Friday Books. You can learn about Carolyn's work and subscribe to her Substack here: https://carolynbrigitflynn.substack.com/

About Laura Davis: Subscribe to Laura Davis' Midweek Pause for Peace to receive weekly moments of beauty, reflection, and nervous system care. Each Wednesday, Laura pairs stunning imagery with carefully selected poetry—creating a consistent practice of pause in your busy week.

Perfect for: Anyone seeking Laura Davis' signature blend of poetry and peace, those managing stress and anxiety, and listeners who appreciate thoughtful, heart-centered content.

The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support her work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. You'll receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully curated poems and nature photos, essays on life and the craft of writing, and more. https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/

Explore Laura's classes, books, workshops, and international retreats: https://lauradavis.net/

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurasaridavis.substack.com/subscribe