During my time at Civitella I produced more work than in any six weeks that I can remember. I spent most of my days working in my studio, the windows and doors always wide open to let the plentiful light in. No clutter in the space or in my head. No responsibilities or distractions. In six weeks I watched my second poetry manuscript more than double and take real shape on the corkboard walls. Before I arrived, I remember fretting about how I would organize my days because I was so afraid of wasting the time and space afforded by the fellowship. But I found that Civitella itself taught me how to use the time. At home, the writing process can be quite isolating and depleting. But at Civitella, I immediately felt so fed. The home cooked meals with my cohort and the staff, the exchange of genuine care there, and the painstakingly cultivated beauty of the place—all of these taught me the importance of rest and real human connection in the midst of the creative process.