“A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.” (Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu; Chapter 64). The Chinese character for mile is a compound of earth and field. It measures about the length of a single village. The saying acknowledges our roots and community. The journey begins where we are. On foot.

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On September 7, 2021, Jeanine Hathaway delivered the inaugural talk for The Star-Splitter Academy’s school year.

Jeanine Hathaway currently enjoys Professor emerita status from Wichita State University, having taught creative writing and literature there. She was a poetry mentor in Seattle Pacific University’s MFA Program.

Hathaway is the author of the autobiographical novel Motherhouse (1992), the 2001 Vassar Miller Poetry Prize-winning The Self as Constellation (2002), and a chapbook, The Ex-Nun Poems (2011).

Her new collection of poetry, Long After Lauds, was recently published by Slant Books.