A murmuration of folks from places distant and up close will be gathering to share poetry, philosophy and Indigenous wisdom at the Abbey Studio in Cumberland for a weekend of poetry and connections.

From Aug. 24 and 25, the weekend is set for talks and readings sponsored by Cascadia Poetics Lab, a Seattle-based non-profit that aims to empower people to practice poetry and deepen connections to place, self and the present moment. Cascadia Poetics Lab is promoting its poetry anthology Cascadian Zen, Vol. I, published by Watershed Press.

Cascadian Zen features work from distinguished artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion, promoting the organization鈥檚 mission by exploring the bioregion of Cascadia, conversations surrounding Zen practice and the many questions that follow these topics.

On Saturday, the schedule is set:

• 2  to 4:30 p.m. 鈥� A poetry workshop by Seattle poet Paul Nelson; Poetics as Cosmology (a workshop on spontaneous composition). Cost: $24-$75
• 7  to 9 p.m.  鈥� A talk, 鈥淲hat is Cascadian Zen?鈥� by the editors of Cascadian Zen (Wirth, Nelson, and MacWilliam). Followed by readings by contributors to the Cascadian Zen anthology and drinks afterwards at the Waverly Pub. Suggested donation of $15.00

On Sunday, the schedule is:

• 10  to 12 p.m. 鈥� A talk by Indigenous elder Wedlidi Speck, Wedlidi is a member of the Namgis First Nation of Alert Bay and hereditary Head chief of the G鈥檌xsam Clan of the Kwakiutl proper. Suggested donation of $15.00
• 2 to 4 p.m. 鈥�  A talk by award-winning poet and philosopher Jan Zwicky on nature poetry and lyrics. Suggested donation of $15.00.