The Back to Nature Garden Center entertained an intimate gathering of poets and poetry enjoyers at its first open mic of the year on Jan. 2.
This isn’t the garden center’s first time hosting “Spoken Woods,” which was given its name because it takes place outdoors near the edge of the woods; the literary fun has been ongoing each first Thursday of the month since late 2022.
The initial reading of 2025 was held inside the property’s new bistro rather than outdoors due to the cold weather.
Open mic nights: an ancient tradition
Jezibell Anat, the current host of the event, talked about the vulnerability that goes into both writing and sharing poetry.
“It’s a very personal art,” she said.
Anat also expounded on the ancient history of the open mic, highlighting a time when poetry was a much more in-demand form of media.
“In Lord Byron’s day, he was a rockstar…poets would attract audiences if they were reading or reciting their poems,” she said.
“Now,” she continued, “Some people think it’s too intellectual, or just doesn’t have the flash that a lot of [other] media has.”
Poetry community
Before the reading began, Marceline Zickgraf said that she was there to show support for her mother, poet Catherine Zickgraf, who was celebrating a birthday. According to Zickgraf, her mother has attended open mic events each year on her birthday for as long as she can remember.
“I kind of can’t imagine my mom’s birthday without doing something like this,” she said.
Pieces shared ranged from social commentary, themes of mythology and fantasy and personal pieces revealing a glimpse into the lives of the writers.
Back to Nature owner David Harden said the small turnout on Thursday isn’t necessarily typical, with group sizes ranging from month to month.
“There’s always ebb and flow as far as attendance goes, but we’ve had some nights where there’s 60 people out here,” he said.
Harden said that the event is family-friendly and open to all ages and walks of life.
“This is a great place for everyone to come out, feel safe and welcome and able to just kind of grow their art and broaden their horizons.”
What to know if you go
The Back to Nature Garden Center is located at 1815 Kissingbower Road in Augusta and hosts open mics on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., as well as karaoke nights on the third Thursday of each month at the same time.
The garden center entrance is next to Morningside Baptist Church.
The center hosts regular events, and community members can stay updated by checking backtonatureaugusta.com or visiting the center’s Facebook page.
The bistro is located on the garden center property and is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
