By Diane Urbani de la Paz
for Peninsula Daily News
The worst art
Is the art that’s kept inside
That doesn’t see daylight
That knows no criticism
— from “Red Hot Pepper” by Dianne Lynn Knox
SEQUIM — Dianne Lynn Knox believes retirement is about stepping into life.
“I’ve always heard you don’t retire from, you retire to,” she said.
“This is my time, now.”
Knox, who moved to Sequim 16 years ago, has published her first book, “Red Hot Pepper,” a collection of poetry written over the past dozen years. In sections titled “Living,” “Loving,” “Losing” and “Looking Forward,” Knox, 74, explores emotions from heartbreak to joy.
She developed as a poet by partaking in open-mic nights and giving readings: From Port Angeles to Port Townsend, she put herself out there. Knox will do that again as the featured speaker in this Friday’s Olympic Peninsula Authors open mic. The group is open to writers and listeners from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at KSQM, 609 W. Washington St., Suite 17, and via Zoom. For information and the link, email olypenauthors@olypen.com.
Through the years, friends and other writers have encouraged Knox to keep at her writing. One was Marion Keen, a nonagenarian artist Knox met in a tai chi class.
“She invited me to First Saturday Art Lunch in her home. There were seven of us monthly — six painters and one poet, me,” Knox remembers in her book’s dedication.
Keen died in February of this year of congestive heart failure. She was “my biggest fan,” Knox writes.
“She supported me at book launches and open mic readings. She was always in the audience. I emailed her each poem I wrote and she would respond, ‘Good job, Kiddo.’”
Keen’s painting of a dark-haired girl jumping rope in the sunshine graces the cover of “Red Hot Pepper.”
Knox had lost her husband, Terry, in 2016; after his death, she delved more deeply into her writing.
“My poetry was just pivotal for me, recovering,” she said.
“I became more and more involved in it,” taking a Modern American Poetry course online, joining a writing group at the library.
She also connected with Heidi Hansen of Olympic Peninsula Authors, who designed her book’s interior. Hansen and Linda B. Meyers of OPA are cultivators of writing in this community, Knox said, adding she plans to join OPA’s third-Tuesday spontaneous-writing groups starting next month. That group will start at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at KSQM.
Knox also honors Ed Raymond, her high school creative writing teacher. She got to visit with him last summer when she attended her 55th high school reunion in Fargo, N.D.
“He’s 91 now,” Knox said.
“He’s the one who got me into writing.”
This week, Knox is attending the Port Townsend Writers Conference at Fort Worden State Park, which includes evening readings. These have been late nights, she said. Yet her morning routine is steadfast. She reads a little poetry — perhaps from Tess Gallagher, Billy Collins or Kate Reavey, who are among her favorites. And, recalling her friend Keen, she does some tai chi.
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Diane Urbani de la Paz is a freelance writer and photographer living in Port Townsend.
