Writing in the Unknown—Embracing Mystery in Poetry with Nicelle Davis

Not all stories need answers. Some narratives live between certainty and doubt. This generative writing workshop invites writers to explore how ambiguity shapes a poem’s impact, engages readers, and opens possibilities. We’ll examine open-ended narratives, shifting perspectives, and unresolved tensions through prompts and discussion to create lasting poetry.

Particular attention will be given to endings—the art of leaving just enough unsaid. How does a poem close without closing off meaning? How can an ending linger, echo, or even dissolve? Together, we’ll experiment with techniques that invite the reader to step beyond the poem’s last line into the space of wonder, interpretation, and discovery.

About the facilitator

Nicelle Davis is a California poet, collaborator, and performance artist. Her poetry collections include The Language of Fractions (Moon Tide Press, 2023). The Walled Wife (Red Hen Press, 2016), In the Circus of You (Rose Metal Press, 2015), Becoming Judas (Red Hen Press, 2013), and Circe (Lowbrow Press, 2011). Penguin Noir recently won the Changing Light Novel in Verse Prize from Livingston Press and will be released in the Summer of 2025. Her poetry film collaborations with Cheryl Gross have been shown across the world. She has taught poetry at Youth for Positive Change, MHA, Volunteers of America in their Homeless Youth Center, Red Hen’s WITS program, and with MEP. She currently teaches Middle School in the High Desert.

About Beyond Baroque

is one of the United States' leading independent Literary | Arts Centers and public spaces dedicated to expanding the public's knowledge of poetry, literature and art through cultural events and community interaction. Founded in 1968 as an experimental literary magazine, Beyond Baroque is based out of the original City Hall building in Venice, California. The Center offers a diverse variety of literary and arts programming including readings and workshops. The building also houses a bookstore with a large collection of new poetry books for sale.

Ticket purchase is required. Tickets will be available at the Beyond Baroque bookstore on the day of the workshop, but we recommend registering in advance through Eventbrite. Masks are encouraged while inside our center. Please arrive early.

Workshop attendees are expected to behave in a respectful and considerate manner while in our space. Beyond Baroque reserves the right to remove individuals from our workshops, virtual or otherwise, if they are not respecting the space, staff, fellow attendees, or performers.

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