Mineral Point is an inspiring place. Artists of all types are touched by the energy that can be found here. Even non-artists find themselves with sudden urges to do something creative.

CX Dillhunt, an award-winning poet, recently spent a week-long residency in Mineral Point as part of Shake Rag Alley’s Winter Writers Series. He visited our local elementary school and shared his poetry with the fifth graders. He even taught them how to write a poem using their phone numbers for inspiration.

Here’s a haiku crafted by CX while gazing at last month’s full moon:

Wondering if it’s
Full moon or marshmallow stuck
On old oak branches

Coincidentally (or not) the photo accompanying this post was taken by a local resident on the same night CX wrote his poem.

The next Shake Rag Alley Writer in Residence is Adam Fell, whose book, I Am Not A Pioneer won the Posner Book Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers. Adam will be featured at an Open Mic Poetry reading at Foundry Books on Sunday, January 6th from 4-6 PM. Stop by and join the fun!