Susan Windle.

Her eyes don't leave yours when she performs poetry. Her voice is not invasive and you actually listen to the words of the poem. Poetry flows smoothly out of Susan Windle, an English graduate of Drew University, who has been performing live recitations of her poetry during the last 35 years. Well-known in her circle of academicians and multi-media artists, Windle epitomizes the largely untapped potential of the artists in Philadelphia.

Writing poetry was a kind of epiphany, says the soft-spoken Windle. "I was taking a bath and had an incredible urge to write a poem." She was fifteen when she realized herself to be poet-- or is it that she was born to be one? "I didn't even know I was talented," she continues. She had been writing stories since childhood, but once she discovered her true calling, she immersed herself into it completely.

Windle talks about poetry with reverence. She describes writing poetry as a process, of "listening and looking, whether it's looking with the visual eye or the inner eye." She gets raw material for her poetry by drawing metaphors from mundane daily life as well as the spiritual "sense" of one's self. "People have polarities," she explains, "and poetry connects their polarities."

Windle believes that poetry is meant to be heard, not read. And she recite she does. At her poetry performances, people walk away understanding poetry. "The words stay with them…and that's how poetry should be" offers Windle, who is the author of two poetry books.

Supporting herself on her art alone was not easy. Like most artists, she struggled with paying her bills and meeting her personal needs. Apart from her financial troubles, working on art was taking its toll on her. It became time for a hiatus.

Voices of a Different Dream members (left to right) Susan Windle, Ellen Ford Mason, Annie Geheb. Photo, Barbara J. Leidy

Windle took a break from writing poetry. Among the odd jobs she took, the one she remembers the most is the building of a lesbian hotline. In the process of its creation she realized that she loved working with people. "Writing poetry is a solitary process," she explains, adding, "I needed to let go of that identity for a while-- it was constricting me." Her experiences in working with communities energized her return to poetry. This time, she knew not to make it a solitary process.

In the mid 80's, when she started writing again, Windle began collaborative works with other musicians and dancers. She would invite people to the church or the lesbian center where she performed. Working with music and in the company of other people sowed seeds for "Voices of a Different Dream."

In 1991, Windle got together with Annie Geheb, a performing singer, and poet Ellen Ford Mason, to create a thematic, ongoing collaboration, which brought music and poetry together. After a year of success, Voices of a Different Dream, a "kinder, joyous culture" was born. The work is deeply feminist and is drawn from personal experiences and reflects upon th e current socio-political climate. The ensemble has not only performed at several places but has also released CD's containing live performances. "None of us are making a living out of this" says Windle, who adds, "We all have busy lives but we manage to give six performances a year." Voices… Dream has performed for women's organizations, liberal Unitarian churches and nature centers. The name of the group is also "the title of one of my poems," says Windle, who now smiles. "And it fit the bill, because, "we were a bunch of artists trying to create something different."

Windle's efforts at stepping up the "visual" nature of her poetry has brought about her collaboration with artist, Sara Steele. "I had been buying Sara's calendars for years before I met her," Windle explains. A coincidental meeting at their local food cooperative, a conversation over coffee and the kicking around of ideas for six months would lead to the first imprinting of Windle's poetry over Steele's art. Vibrant swirls of Steele's yellow sunflowers graphically capture Windle's poem, Sunflowers, making Windle's verse aesthetically pleasing. "It is very inspiring to work with a visual artist," says Windle, who is currently consigning the services of yet another visual artist to design the cover of her next poetry book, due in early 2005.

The buck doesn't stop here.

Windle is also working on projects involving Cathy Cohen who started the "Interfaith" youth project for high school students.

Another part of Windle's one-person Renaissance is her collaboration with Cathy Cohen. As founder of Philadelphia's Interfaith Youth Poetry Program, Cohen conducts workshops teaching Jewish and Islamic children to compose poetry. Windle participates in the effort to expose children of one ethnicity to the other's culture and religion. "It is a way of building bridges across cultures through poetry," Windle says.

Windle is also a fellow traveler of Lifeline Music Coalition, an organization which promotes local jazz musicians in Philadelphia. She is now negotiating collaborations with Lifeline artists for live performances and recordings.

In her spare time, Windle enjoys bird-watching and working in her garden at home. She is also very involved with the activities of her Unitarian church. You won't see her hitting the road like Jack Kerouac any time soon, but her books and CD's are. "Besides," she laughs, "my kids take up all my time." Windle's two boys want to be writers. She lives in Mount Airy with her life partner and children.

Publications and recordings by Voices… Dream and Windle can found at www.amazon.com, Borders Bookstore, www.xlibris.com and Barnes and Noble Bookstores. The "poem-print" collaborations of Steele and Windle can be purchased at www.shop.sarasteele.com. Additional information can be obtained at www.susanwindle.com.

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