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Amy Pearson to Share Poetry at Dances with Words

November 16, 2018

Amy Rae Pearson, a writer from Kalispell, Mont. will be sharing her work at the “Dances with Words” series on Nov. 29, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at The Cup, Montana Western’s coffeehouse located below the library on campus.

Amy Pearson

Pearson will read from her book “100 Days of Solitude.” The book of poems documents her experience as a fire lookout on Jumbo Mountain in the Bob Marshall Wilderness during one of the biggest fire seasons in decades.

Her book describes a spectrum of moments from awe over the natural beauty to alarm regarding proximity to grizzly bears.

All of the poems and photos included in the collection were created in solitude on Jumbo Mountain.

According to Pearson, the experience of a fire lookout is unique, difficult, and magical. She feels it offers time and space away from modern society and an opportunity to understand the simple needs we human beings have: “a little bit of food, a little bit of water, a place to lay our heads at night, and a view over the beautiful and vast horizon that is always there if we dare to take a look.”

The publication of 100 Days was funded in part by the Flathead Kootenai Chapter of the Montana Wilderness Association.

“Dances with Words” is produced by English Professor Alan Weltzien. The series, free and open to the public, provides the community with a unique opportunity to listen to writers reading their own works, including Montana Western student writers.

Featured authors’ books at “Dances with Words” are made available for purchase by The Bookstore and Deb Sporich.

For more information, please contact Alan Weltzien by email at [email protected] or call 406-683-7431.

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