Class

A Summer of Poetic Forms: Ghazals

How can the poetic form enliven our creative practice? Let’s explore and gather for a summer of sonnets and sestinas, a harvest of haiku. All are welcome in this summer series: formal poetry can be a great entryway to folks who are new to poetry, as well as challenge the most seasoned poet to stretch their creative muscles. In each class, we will read a balance of formal poems that follow and break the rules, demonstrating the wide array of approaches a writer can take to form. Like a garden bed, formal poetry holds language so that each juicy word can be appreciated, supported, and savored. Whether your poem thrives within the garden bounds or grows wild is up to you—all you need is a pencil and paper to begin!

Each Saturday will be a stand alone class, and writers are encouraged to attend at their own pace. Come for all sessions or only one, your poetic practice will have grown either way. Each Saturday will focus on a specific poetic forms as follows:

Week One: Haiku & Haibun
Week Two: Ghazals
Week Three: Sestinas
Week Four: Contrapuntals
Week Five: Centos & Golden Shovels
Week Six: Sonnets

Please submit this request form at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class.