Class

Shoots and Sprouts: Beginnings in Poems

The world exhausts and expends, exacts and extracts. But the vital power of poetry, like seeds and sprouts, is its ability to renew and rejuvenate, to thrive amid a broken and difficult world.

In this one-session generative class, we’ll explore “beginnings” in poetry. The literal beginnings of poems—how a first line can grab the reader’s attention. Taking poems that feel moribund or stuck and refreshing them by changing the beginning line(s). Seeking new pathways for our writing through the practice of brainstorming, itself a way to discover new beginnings. And contemplating the new beginnings we can find as writers, whether reviving a regular writing practice or setting a new goal for your poetry.

In this class we'll read authors like Mary Oliver, Kim Addonizio, Su Hwang, Victoria Chang, Joy Priest, and Jenny Zhang. We'll write and edit from prompts and have group discussions. By the end of class you should feel rejuvenated and inspired to tackle your own “beginnings” in poetry–in whatever form that takes.

Accessibility: Please submit this request form at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.