Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop
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concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop
@concentratingchaos.bsky.social
22 followers 27 following 38 posts
📚🖋️A free workshop to help refine the divine craft of poetry.
🗓️ Held the last Wednesday of every month at Skunk Cabbage Books.
🌎 Chicago, IL
🕸️ concentratingchaos.com
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concentratingchaos.bsky.social
End the year with a workshop on poetry endings by Madeline Blair, editor-in-chief of Sabr Tooth Tiger Magazine! Register at concentratingchaos.com!
Poster with a background of snow-covered pine trees against a starry night sky. In the upper right corner is the Concentrating Chaos Poetry logo featuring a nebula filled with heavenly bodies funneling into a feathered quill. The text on the image reads: “All’s Well that Ends Well: Refining Poetry Endings. A generative writing workshop by Madeline Blair. December 17th, 6:30-8 PM, Skunk Cabbage Books. RSVP at concentratingchaos.com. Masks required. Donations appreciated.”
December 10, 2025 at 1:32 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Hello, Chicago poets!

Due to Thanksgiving, we will not be having a November workshop. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

We’ll be back in December with our regularly-scheduled workshop AND an open mic to wrap up the year! Stay tuned. 🎤
Graphic with “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop” at the top. Underneath it says, “No November workshop! Stay tuned for December events.”
November 18, 2025 at 9:04 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
The dark door has been opened. Post your incantations. Or, if you desire, bring in 666 copies of your poem for your coven. Actually, just 6 copies should do. See you tomorrow. 👁️

concentratingchaos.com/2025/10/28/1...
Graphic with the background image of the changing autumn leaves against a darkening sky. In the foreground is a screenshot of Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop’s October shared document.
October 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
In an effort to help protect our community against frigid losers, we’re giving away whistles. We’ll have some available at the workshop, but if you see Philip or Michelle around beforehand, please ask for one.
Image of a collection of metal whistles with the Chicago skyline on them.
October 16, 2025 at 6:05 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Concentrating Chaos is deeply concerned for the safety and integrity of the people of Chicago and everywhere, so we’re giving all donations this month to the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Please help us help our community.

Stay strong. We love you, Chicago.
Graphic with the Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop logo in the top center, featuring a cloud of planets funneling into a quill pen. Below the logo is text that reads, “All donations this month will be given to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.”
October 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Our next workshop is Wednesday, 10/29 at Skunk Cabbage Books from 6:30-8PM. Costumes highly encouraged. Register at concentratingchaos.com.

All donations this month will go to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Graphic of a table covered in a white doily. On top of the table is a brass lamp, an ornamental dish, antique potion bottles, and an open book perched on a book stand. The book has black and white drawings of aquatic life. In the background of the image is a bookshelf with antique books. Overlaid on the image is text that reads, “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop, 10/29. Costumes highly encouraged.”
October 7, 2025 at 7:05 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Meet Molly Gemerchak, our pilates instructor for Pilates & Poetry Night!

www.chicagorepertoryballet.com/blog/2025/8/...
Photo of Molly Gemerchek at a 2/3s angle, smiling. Text to the bottom left corner of the image reads “Molly G, she/her, pilates instructor.” Above her photo is text that reads “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop”. Graphic that reads “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop. 1. What got you into Pilates? As a ballet student, pilates was always a part of my routine. Once I started dancing professionally, I was having hamstring issues and my director recommended pilates to fix it. Seeing how quickly my injury went away got me fully hooked! 2. Why did you decide to teach and where did you get your training (before LSQP)? I’ve been teaching dance for over a decade and love sharing movement with people. Pilates was a great way to teach all kinds of people, not just dancers. 3. Where do you live now and when did you move there? I live right here in the neighborhood! I've been in Logan Square since 2018 after moving away from Boston.” Fun Facts (with an emoji of a smiley face): I looooove moving! When I'm not doing pilates I dance professionally with CRB, take long walks on the 606, or roll out with my kitten Zuko. Anything that gets my body in motion brings me so much joy!” On the left side of the text is a silhouette of a ballet dancer surrounded by musical notes. To the right of the text is a clip art image of a cat.
September 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
We’ve teamed up with Logan Square Pilates + Core Studio for September’s workshop: Pilates & Poetry Night. 📝🌙

Join us 9/26 (Friday) at LSQP from 7-9 PM. Register at concentratingchaos.com!
A poster for Pilates and Poetry Night. In the background is an image of an open book. In the foreground is the silhouette of a person doing a pilates’ teaser colored in with a sparkling galaxy. The Logan Square Pilates + Core Studio and Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop logos are in the upper left corner. The poster reads: “Pilates & Poetry Night: a generative writing workshop. September 26th, 2025, Logan Square Pilates + Core Studio, 2774 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647. Masks required. Capacity limited. Register at concentratingchaos.com.” In the bottom right corner is a QR code to CCPW’s website. Above it reads: “Scan to RSVP.”
September 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
The link to share your poem for this month’s workshop is live! See you Wednesday!

concentratingchaos.com/2025/08/24/8...
A photo of a field of blooming dandelions. Overlaid on the photo is a screenshot of an online document labeled “August 27th, 2025” and information about posting poems on the document.
August 25, 2025 at 3:44 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
We’re back this month on August 27th, 6:30-8 PM at Skunk Cabbage Books!🌻The workshop is free, but capacity is limited. Register at concentratingchaos.com . @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social
Image of a bed of grass and blooming dandelions. An open book is on the grass. Overtop the image is text that reads: “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop, 8/27.”
August 6, 2025 at 11:29 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Check out our new logo! Created by the skilled Alex Robinson. www.alexr.design
The logo for Concentrating Chaos. The logo features a whispy, spacey background in dual tones of purple and green. Overlaid on the misty background is a graphic image of a nebula with solar deities, spiraling into a beam of light and sparkles around a feathered quill. The lights been funnels to the point of the quill into a beam of light. Under the nebula is text reading, “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop”.
August 5, 2025 at 2:49 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Bring 6 total printed copies to today’s workshop, or post it to the shared doc here:

concentratingchaos.com/2025/07/29/7...
Image of an overhead view of an ocean and sandy shore. Overlaid on the image is a screenshot of an online document labeled “July 30th, 2025” and information about posting poems on the document.
July 30, 2025 at 5:47 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Got a poem you want workshopped? Join us today for our July workshop at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social , 6:30-8 PM. Bring 6 printed copies of your poem or share it on the online doc.
Image of a sandy beach. On the sand is an open book, seaweed, and two flowers. The text overlaid on the image reads, “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop, 7/30”.
July 30, 2025 at 5:42 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
This could be us, but you haven’t registered for today’s poetry workshop. 😔

Register at concentratingchaos.com .
A close-up from “The Cubies’ ABC” drawing series by Earl Harvey Lyall. In the close-up, two triangular-shaped hominid characters with a mop of hair paint a still life on a canvas perched on easels.
June 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
This Wednesday is “Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing About Art,” a generative writing workshop by Zachary Kocanda (@zacharykocanda.bsky.social).
A poster of Zachary Kocanda with his name, picture, and a writer bio. His bio reads: “Zachary Kocanda is the author of the chapbook ‘Self Defense for Gentle People’ (Bottlecap Press, 2022). His writing has appeared in Oyez Review, Sobotka Literary Magazine, Another Chicago Magazine, and elsewhere. He co-hosts the monthly Test Literary Series at The Whistler with Nick Kirwen. More at zacharykocanda.com.” The picture of Zachary shows him smiling in front of a cream-colored brick wall. He’s wearing a shirt that says “Illinois,” with cardinals flying around the text.
June 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
This month is our second in-person generative writing workshop: “Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing About Art,” led by @zacharykocanda.bsky.social . 🎨🖌️

Join us 6/25, 6:30 PM CT at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social . RSVP required at concentratingchaos.com . Donations highly recommended. Masks required.
Poster using a drawing from the 1913 drawing series “The Cubies’ ABC” by Earl Harvey Lyall. The drawing features three triangle-shaped hominid figures painting a still life of a flower vase, a weight, and what appears to be an umbrella handle attached to a chain on a table. Under the table is a pair of shoes. There is an open window in the middle of a blank wall, and an L on the right corner of the wall. The drawing is colored in blue, pink, yellow, and green, and the emphasis appears to be the geometric shape of the so-called Cubies. In the middle of the drawing is a large triangle. Overlaid on the triangle is text that reads, “‘Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing About Art,’ by Zachary Kocanda. 6/25, 6:30-8 PM at Skunk Cabbage Books, presented by Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop.”
June 13, 2025 at 1:42 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
You’re invited to the Concentrating Chaos Midsummer Mixer! 😎⛱️

Join us June 21st, 4 PM at Catherine Chevalier Woods. RSVP and find more info on the Special Events page of our website. 🔗

concentratingchaos.com/special-even...
Poster using a public domain landscape painting by an unknown artist. The painting features a series of hills overlooked by the sky and a sun with a face. There is a river weaving through the hills, and a scattering of trees throughout. In the background are buildings. The foreground features a barren tree, grass, flowers, and a creek. Overlaid on the image is text which reads: “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop invites you. Midsummer Mixer, June 21st, 4 PM at Catherine Chevalier Woods (meet outside the Rosemont Blue Line stop).”
May 23, 2025 at 7:24 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
May’s workshop is tomorrow! Time to post your poem! Below is the doc link. Please reach out if you need assistance.

concentratingchaos.com/2025/05/21/5...
May 21, 2025 at 6:48 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
This month’s workshop is on a Thursday! Join us May 22nd at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social from 6:30-8 PM. Register at concentratingchaos.com.
Image of a table covered by hydrangeas and a stack of books. On top of the stack of books is a statue bust candle, and a tea cup filled with flowers. On top of the image is text that reads “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop: 5/22.”
May 14, 2025 at 4:56 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Proton Drive is a bit persnickety. Give yourself extra time to post your poem. Let us know of any issues ASAP, please.
April 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Wednesday is April’s workshop! Bring 6 copies with you or post them to the April shared doc here:

drive.proton.me/urls/X2XM9MW...
Image of a bush with white blooming flowers. Overlayed on the image is a screenshot of the shared April poetry document.
April 30, 2025 at 2:24 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
April is National Poetry Month! Celebrate by joining us Wednesday, 4/30 at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social from 6:30-8 PM CT! 🌷

Registration is free, but capacity is limited, so please make sure to register at concentratingchaos.com.
Image of a wooden table with a vase of white and yellow roses, a stack of antique books, a glass decanter full of what appears to be milk, and two ornate coup glasses. The text over the images reads, “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Workshop, 4/30.”
March 31, 2025 at 2:12 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
This Wednesday is our first in-person generative writing workshop, “The Craft: Poetry as Alchemy,” created and led by the skillful Tori Rego.
A poster with a picture of Tori Rego. The text on the poster reads: “Tori Rego (she/her) is a genre-deviant writer from Charleston, South Carolina. Her work flirts with fairy tales and searches for the erotic in the cerebral. She received her MFA from Northern Michigan University. She is co-host of the Chicago based monthly reading series, Written on a Napkin. Her first collection of poetry “Briefly, Gently: Record of an Unreadied Boat” was a finalist for the Chicago Reader’s Best New Poetry Book by a Chicagoan (2024) and is available through bottlecap press. Learn more about Tori and her work at torirego.com.”
March 25, 2025 at 2:56 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
Our March workshop is less than a week away! Capacity is limited, so please register at concentratingchaos.com!
A poster with a painting of an alchemist by David Teniers the Younger. The painting shows a male alchemist in the foreground sitting at a desk or table holding a rounded bottle and spectacles. On the desk is a container, an open book stacked on other books, coins, something in a wrapper, and a small bottle. In the background are three men at a table. One is standing in front of what appears to be a stove. Behind him is a shelf with bottles and glasses. Hanging from the ceiling appears to be a decoration of a baby alligator or crocodile. The text on the poster reads, “Concentrating Chaos Poetry Wokshop presents: The Craft: Poetry as Alchemy. A generative writing workshop by Tori Rego. 3/26, 6:30-8 PM at Skunk Cabbage Books. Register at concentratingchaos (dot) com.
March 21, 2025 at 4:34 AM
concentratingchaos.bsky.social
“Rhyming in itself is magic.” —Gloria Steinem, “My Life on the Road”

#poetry #GloriaSteinem #writing #chicago #ConcentratingChaos #WritingWorkshop #PoetryWorkshop #ChicagoWorkshops

📸| Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels
Photograph of antique books. Overlaid on the image is a quote that reads, “‘Rhyming in itself is magic.’ —Gloria Steinem”
March 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM