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Today I am sharing another beautiful poem by . I took the deepest breath while reading this. I hope you will do the same.

HAPPY POETRY MONTH!

Welcome to Week 53 of Sunday Spark!

Please click on the below link/button to be taken to this week’s poem by the amazing (with audio reading by me). CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO JAMES’ WEBSITE.

If you feel called to get some ink on the page, be sure to read the writing practice guidelines (found when you click the below link) before you get your pen moving.

After you read/listen to today’s poem, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory/story that the poem sparks. Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).

Suggested Prompt:

Dear Peace…

The below invitation is in James’ words…

Invitation for Writing & Reflection: Write your own “Dear Peace” poem or essay, repeating that phrase over and over if it feels useful to you. Let your own metaphors and images for peace arise on their own, inviting slowness and patience to show up in your life and more often in our world.

Sunday Spark: Poetry & Audio reading

Special Announcements (Including a half-day in-person retreat in Corvallis, Oregon!)

I am thrilled to share that I/we get to be in conversation with one of my very favorite humans and poets, James Crews.

For paid subscribers of Julia’s Substack page ($60.00/year). Scholarships available.

Access all paid subscriber content here.

Subscribe now

ZOOM LINK FOR LIVE CLASSES

Access all paid subscriber content here.

You’re invited!

Do you live in the Portland, Oregon area?

I’m super excited to share that my dear friend, Alia, & I are offering a half-day, in-person Write Yourself Free retreat!

Saturday, April 18th from 10:00am – 2:00pm in Corvallis, Oregon.

We would so love to have you! Click on the image below for more information.

Note: This retreat is limited to 12 participants. I’m expecting it will fill quite quickly.

Signed copies of my book

After you listen to today’s poem, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory that the poem sparks.

Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).

Suggested Prompt:

Dear Peace…

The below invitation is in James’ words…

Invitation for Writing & Reflection: Write your own “Dear Peace” poem or essay, repeating that phrase over and over if it feels useful to you. Let your own metaphors and images for peace arise on their own, inviting slowness and patience to show up in your life and more often in our world.

Thank you for being one of my people. I appreciate you so much.

Take the best care of yourself.

Julia xo

Dear Peace by

Music Credit: “City of Stars” : Justin Hurwitz & Emma Stone, from the movie “La La Land”

Dear Peace by

You are one of the few things left
that cannot be purchased, but
must instead be cultivated and
shaped over time, like clay aching
for the touch and turn of human hands.
You struggle up like a wildflower
in the same untamed patch of ground,
needing both the light and shadow
of the understory to keep rising up
year after year. You are the single
untrammeled Spring Beauty I saw
today, growing from a clump of moss,
white and pink-veined petals open
only slightly, like a mouth searching
for the right words to speak or sing.

After you read the below writing practice guidelines, grab your notebook and your favorite free-flowing, yummy pen, set a timer for 10 minutes (or whatever time feels best) and, beginning with the word/line that most resonates from this week’s poem & write write write!

NOTE: The intention is not to stick with whatever prompt you begin writing with, prompts are simply meant to spark your writing…once you begin, follow your pen wherever it wants/needs to go. Get those first words down (before the editor has a chance to sweep in and edit them out).

Writing Practice Guidelines

(As created, with some of my own tweaks, by one of my greatest teachers Natalie Goldberg)

1. First, give yourself permission to write the worst junk in the world (this is the most important one!). Writing practice is very much not about trying to be "good," it is about opening the door and allowing space for your insides to speak (without any pressure, agenda, or expectations). It is simply saying what is true, what is true, what is true.

2. Keep your hand moving. No stopping to edit (no crossing out, no re-reading, no attention to spelling/grammar). The reason for this fast writing is to outrun the editor who really wants to be in control. Give yourself full permission to lose control!

3. Go for the jugular. If there is energy there, dive straight into it.

4. If you get stuck (or find you are circling some important truth), write the words: WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS… or THE TRUTH IS…this can’t help but drop you more deeply into your writing.

5. Mostly importantly —Enjoy! Play. Have fun. Make a merry mess.

   * Please feel free to share some of the "recalls" from your own writing. Recalls are simply phrases/lines that feel especially poignant/resonant/goosebumpy/true to you.

HAPPY POETRY MONTH!

Welcome to Week 52 of Sunday Spark!

Please click on the below link/button to be taken to this week’s poem by the amazing (with audio reading by me). CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO JAMES’ WEBSITE.

If you feel called to get some ink on the page, be sure to read the writing practice guidelines (found when you click the below link) before you get your pen moving.

After you read/listen to today’s poem, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory/story that the poem sparks. Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).

Suggested Prompt:

My father…

Week #52: Poetry & Audio Reading

Special Announcements (Including a half-day in-person retreat in Corvallis, Oregon!)

I am thrilled to share that I/we get to be in conversation with one of my very favorite humans and poets, James Crews.

For paid subscribers of Julia’s Substack page ($60.00/year). Scholarships available.

Access all paid subscriber content here.

Subscribe now

You’re invited!

Do you live in the Portland, Oregon area?

I’m super excited to share that my dear friend, Alia, & I are offering a half-day, in-person Write Yourself Free retreat!

Saturday, April 18th from 10:00am – 2:00pm in Corvallis, Oregon.

We would so love to have you! Click on the image below for more information.

Note: This retreat is limited to 12 participants. I’m expecting it will fill quite quickly.

Signed copies of my book

Read more

NOTE: If you are wanting/needing some space where you can hear your own voice speak, quiet away from the noise, a safe space to simply be who you are, consider joining me and an intimate circle of women for one of my spring “Write Yourself Free” writing series.

Tomorrow is the last day to register. See below for details.

Welcome to Week 51 of Sunday Spark!

Please click on the below link/button to be taken to this week’s poem by one of my very favorite humans & writers (with audio reading by me).

If you feel called to get some ink on the page, be sure to read the writing practice guidelines (found when you click the below link) before you get your pen moving.

After you read/listen to today’s poem, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory/story that the poem sparks. Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).

Suggested Prompt:

I’ve been thinking about…

Week #51: Poetry & Audio Reading

Special Announcements (Including a half-day in-person retreat in Corvallis, Oregon!)

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR TWO 6 WEEK “WRITE YOURSELF FREE” SERIES (FOR WOMEN).

Special Note: All participants of my spring, 2026, writing series’ are invited to attend my online conversation with the amazing James Crews (at no extra cost). See below for details.

Note: Registration closes on Monday, March 30th.

Session #1 begins on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026. 3:00—5:00pm (PST)

Session #2 begins on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026. 9:00—11:00am (PST)

IF YOU HAVE TAKEN A “WYF” CLASS WITH ME IN THE PAST, USE COUPON CODE: ALUMNI 2 (NO EXPIRATION) for $25.00 off.

IF YOU ARE A PAYING SUBSCRIBER TO MY SUBSTACK PAGE, PLEASE USE COUPON CODE: SUBSTACK SUBSCRIBER for $25.00 off (NO EXPIRATION)

Click below for more information & to register.

Write Yourself Free: A 6 week Series

You’re invited!

Do you live in the Portland, Oregon area?

I’m super excited to share that my dear friend, Alia, & I are offering a half-day, in-person Write Yourself Free retreat!

Saturday, April 18th from 10:00am – 2:00pm in Corvallis, Oregon.

We would so love to have you! Click on the image below for more information.

Note: This retreat is limited to 12 participants. I’m expecting it will fill quite quickly.

I am thrilled to share that I/we get to be in conversation with one of my very favorite humans and poets, James Crews.

For paid subscribers of Julia’s Substack page. Access all paid subscriber content here.

There will be more information as we get closer to the date, but enough now so that you can pencil in the date on your calendar.

Signed copies of my book

After you listen to today’s poem, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory that the poem sparks.

Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).

Suggested Prompt:

I’ve been thinking about…

Thank you for being one of my people. I appreciate you so much.

Take the best care of yourself.

Julia xo

Small Kindnesses by

Music Credit: “City of Stars” : Justin Hurwitz & Emma Stone, from the movie “La La Land”

Small Kindnesses by

I’ve been thinking about the way, when you walk
down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs
to let you by. Or how strangers still say “bless you”
when someone sneezes, a leftover
from the Bubonic plague. “Don’t die,” we are saying.
And sometimes, when you spill lemons
from your grocery bag, someone else will help you
pick them up. Mostly, we don’t want to harm each other.
We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot,
and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile
at them and for them to smile back. For the waitress
to call us honey when she sets down the bowl of clam chowder,
and for the driver in the red pick-up truck to let us pass.
We have so little of each other, now. So far
from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange.
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here,
have my seat,” “Go ahead—you first,” “I like your hat.”

After you read the below writing practice guidelines, grab your notebook and your favorite free-flowing, yummy pen, set a timer for 10 minutes (or whatever time feels best) and, beginning with the word/line that most resonates from this week’s poem & write write write!

NOTE: The intention is not to stick with whatever prompt you begin writing with, prompts are simply meant to spark your writing…once you begin, follow your pen wherever it wants/needs to go. Get those first words down (before the editor has a chance to sweep in and edit them out).

Writing Practice Guidelines

(As created, with some of my own tweaks, by one of my greatest teachers Natalie Goldberg)

1. First, give yourself permission to write the worst junk in the world (this is the most important one!). Writing practice is very much not about trying to be "good," it is about opening the door and allowing space for your insides to speak (without any pressure, agenda, or expectations). It is simply saying what is true, what is true, what is true.

2. Keep your hand moving. No stopping to edit (no crossing out, no re-reading, no attention to spelling/grammar). The reason for this fast writing is to outrun the editor who really wants to be in control. Give yourself full permission to lose control!

3. Go for the jugular. If there is energy there, dive straight into it.

4. If you get stuck (or find you are circling some important truth), write the words: WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS… or THE TRUTH IS…this can’t help but drop you more deeply into your writing.

5. Mostly importantly —Enjoy! Play. Have fun. Make a merry mess.

   * Please feel free to share some of the "recalls" from your own writing. Recalls are simply phrases/lines that feel especially poignant/resonant/goosebumpy/true to you.

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I decided to create a little video for you today (which always feels especially vulnerable, but one of my intentions these days is to lean into vulnerability). xo

Today’s poem Words for the Weary is one of 90+ poems in my forthcoming book: This Too: Words to Walk You Home…out this spring!

Welcome to Week 49 of Sunday Spark!

Click on the image to be taken to the video I made for you. But first, please take a couple of minutes to read what’s below, including the details on my upcoming events.

If you feel called to get some ink on the page, be sure to read the writing practice guidelines (found when you click the below link) before you get your pen moving.

After you read/listen to today’s poem, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory/story that the poem sparks. Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).

Special Announcements (Including a half-day in-person retreat in Corvallis, Oregon!)

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR TWO 6 WEEK “WRITE YOURSELF FREE” SERIES’ (FOR WOMEN).

Special Note: All participants of my spring, 2026, writing series’ are invited to attend my online conversation with the amazing James Crews (at no extra cost). See below for details.

Session #1 begins on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026. 3:00—5:00pm (PST)

Session #2 begins on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026. 9:00—11:00am (PST)

IF YOU HAVE TAKEN A “WYF” CLASS WITH ME IN THE PAST, USE COUPON CODE: ALUMNI 2 (NO EXPIRATION) for $25.00 off.

IF YOU ARE A PAYING SUBSCRIBER TO MY SUBSTACK PAGE, PLEASE USE COUPON CODE: SUBSTACK SUBSCRIBER for $25.00 off (NO EXPIRATION)

Click below for more information & to register.

Write Yourself Free: A 6 week Series

You’re invited!

I’m super excited to share that my dear friend, Alia, & I are offering a half-day, in-person Write Yourself Free retreat!

Saturday, April 18th from 10:00am – 2:00pm in Corvallis, Oregon.

We would so love to have you! Click on the image below for more information.

Note: This retreat is limited to 12 participants. I’m expecting it will fill quite quickly.

I am thrilled to share that I/we get to be in conversation with one of my very favorite humans and poets, James Crews.

For paid subscribers of Julia’s Substack page. Access all paid subscriber content here.

There will be more information as we get closer to the date, but enough now so that you can pencil in the date on your calendar.

Signed copies of my book

You can access all of the content for paid subscribers via the menu (on the home page of my Substack page) under the tab Write Yourself Free Community, including my conversations with poets/writers: , , Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, artist/writer Carrie Schmitt, and my most recent conversation with You can find the latest “Write Yourself Free” recording there as well.

Click HERE to access all paid subscriber content.

After you listen to today’s poem, notice which line most speaks to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory that the poem sparks.

Let your body be the decider (as opposed to your mind).

Thank you for being one of my people. I appreciate you so much.

Take the best care of yourself.

Julia xo

Words for the Weary by Julia Fehrenbacher

Words for the Weary by Julia Fehrenbacher

May these words find you, be a fountain
of spring water that quenches every
parched place, wets the soil
just enough. 

May they be softness
that rests on your tired shoulders 
and walks with you everywhere, a sure
and steady whisper that says:

You are as needed as sunshine.

The porch light has been left on
just for you. Open
the door, come in. Stay
awhile. 

Stay until warmth seeps 
into every unsure place, 
wraps herself around each 
tender part—until
 
light herself whispers 
the words 
you most long 
to hear.

What are those words?

Only 
you 
know.

They are whispering
to you now. Linger here
until wonder rushes in 
and fills you so full

you can't help but skip 
into the wild, wondrous, 
warring world and blossom 
yourself everywhere.

After you read the below writing practice guidelines, grab your notebook and your favorite free-flowing, yummy pen, set a timer for 10 minutes (or whatever time feels best) and, beginning with the word/line that most resonates from this week’s poem & write write write!

NOTE: The intention is not to stick with whatever prompt you begin writing with, prompts are simply meant to spark your writing…once you begin, follow your pen wherever it wants/needs to go. Get those first words down (before the editor has a chance to sweep in and edit them out).

Writing Practice Guidelines

(As created, with some of my own tweaks, by one of my greatest teachers Natalie Goldberg)

1. First, give yourself permission to write the worst junk in the world (this is the most important one!). Writing practice is very much not about trying to be "good," it is about opening the door and allowing space for your insides to speak (without any pressure, agenda, or expectations). It is simply saying what is true, what is true, what is true.

2. Keep your hand moving. No stopping to edit (no crossing out, no re-reading, no attention to spelling/grammar). The reason for this fast writing is to outrun the editor who really wants to be in control. Give yourself full permission to lose control!

3. Go for the jugular. If there is energy there, dive straight into it.

4. If you get stuck (or find you are circling some important truth), write the words: WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS… or THE TRUTH IS…this can’t help but drop you more deeply into your writing.

5. Mostly importantly —Enjoy! Play. Have fun. Make a merry mess.

   * Please feel free to share some of the "recalls" from your own writing. Recalls are simply phrases/lines that feel especially poignant/resonant/goosebumpy/true to you.

Read more

Read more

Read more

Read more