In this episode, Claire chats to poet Mirjam Mahler about her debut collection Cold Water Poems - what started as the poetry prompt “adventure” sparked a new way of experiencing nature and her body first immersing, then swimming in cold water.
Praise for Mirjam´s collection -
Mirjam's first book is a poetic lesson on what can be achieved through challenging one's self to find the courage to try new experiences. Her prose, pictures and poems are beautifully assembled and provide not only insight into such an immersive experience but also, subtly, demonstrates how haiku and poems can be developed from prose. It is a sweet book worthy of space on any bookshelf. As her first publication, Mirjam has sent a lovely offering of stillness, humour and surprise into an often jarring world.
Mirjam writes poems and stories. She says her body is German, her heart is Spanish and her words are mostly English. She swims in lakes year round, hosts poetry workshops, book clubs and women's groups. Her poems have been published in a number of anthologies and journals. She is part of the team of volunteers at The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press and also volunteers as a reviewer for Consilience Journal, a publication where poetry and science meet. Mirjam is the co-editor of Facing Goodbye - a poetry anthology for The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press which will be published in the Spring/Summer in 2024.
Mirjam was born in Germany, raised in Spain, attended university in the US and in Spain and is now living in the south of Germany. She has a B.A. in Business Economics as well as an MBA. She also directs a non-profit organisation for persons affected by a traumatic nerve injury that lead to an impairment of the hand, arm and shoulder (plexuskinder.de). She is also an instructor at an adult education institution (Ulmer Volkshochschule) where she hosts book clubs, writing workshops and the international Women's Club and is the founding member of a local independent international women's group network. She is currently working on publishing a collection of poems with a group of poet friends from around the world.
You can find her on Instagram @mirjamwrites, mirjamwrites.com, and mirjammahler on Substack.
Episode 17 - Mirjam Mahler