Poetry Night at Fox Haven

Join us at Fox Haven for a warm and welcoming evening of poetry and connection. Local published poets Robert Strasser and Jan Hummer will begin the night by sharing a bit about their personal journeys into poetry, along with a reading of several of their favorite pieces.

After the opening readings, the floor will open for an optional community poetry share. Participants are welcome to read a poem of their own, share a piece they love, or simply listen and take in the words and stories unfolding around the room.

Light refreshments—including herbal tea and simple snacks—will accompany the evening.

A special bonus: Robert’s newest book of poems will be available for purchase, with an opportunity to have your copy signed.

💚 Suggested Donation: $10+
This donation-based gathering helps support our visiting poets while keeping the event accessible to the community.

Robert Strasser is a poet, artist, and dedicated naturalist who draws deep inspiration from the wild places of the world. With academic degrees in Biology and Environmental Biology from Earlham and Hood Colleges, he has channeled his passion for the natural world through diverse careers, including working as a wilderness camp counselor, a middle school teacher, and a chestnut restoration biologist for 4.5 years.

A lifelong ceramic artist specializing in studio ceramics, slip decoration, and spherical sculptures, Strasser traveled to Japan twice for cultural exchange and a residency in ceramic arts. A significant portion of this debut collection, Mystics Recourse, was written during his personal battle with Stage 4 cancer, making his work a profound testament to resilience and the enduring power of the soul. He currently lives and works in Frederick, Maryland and Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Mystics Recourse: A Poetic Journey is a profound collection of verse that navigates the personal and spiritual landscape of life-altering challenges. Dedicated to cancer survivors and those lost to the disease, this book offers a raw yet hopeful exploration of survival, compassion, and the fundamental changes that come with confronting one’s mortality.

Drawing on the author's deep connection to wild places and natural processes, the poems reflect on the healing power of nature and the pursuit of creative and spiritual expression amidst adversity. This "poetic journey" serves as a recourse for the introspective soul, reminding the reader to look well to the present day and to find a vision of hope in the face of immense struggle. It is a testament to the enduring human spirit and a call for greater compassion for the sick and the well alike.

Jan Hummer, MA (she/her) is the founder of Sycamore Roots, a contemplative practice that supports individuals navigating grief, transition, creativity, and life’s many thresholds. She is a yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, grief educator, and trained death doula with more than twenty years of experience in mindfulness-based education and mental health work. Jan holds a Master’s degree in Contemplative Education and is currently completing PhD research exploring contemplative end-of-life care for companion animals through ritual, painting, and embodied presence.

Her work weaves together poetry, visual art, somatic practices, and nature-based reflection. Jan has facilitated programs in schools, recovery centers, detention facilities, and national mental health organizations, and co-founded the nonprofit Open Minds, Inc., bringing mindfulness and creative expression to communities navigating trauma and change. A long-time student of medicinal plants, her practice is rooted in reverence for the more-than-human world and the quiet ways creativity helps us tend both grief and belonging.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Fox Haven Organic Farm & Learning Center, 3630 Poffenberger Rd., Jefferson, United States

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