Class

Youth Oracle Poetry: Trust What Finds You (for Ages 12-14)

What happens when an unexpected image, symbol, or word becomes the beginning of a poem? In this playful, reflective workshop, young writers will use oracle cards as creative mirrors and visual writing prompts—not as predictions. Each participant will draw cards, notice what stands out, and decide what the images mean within their own writing.

Through guided prompts, group discussion, metaphor mapping, and writing exercises, participants will explore imagery, symbolism, voice, word choice, and poetic structure. Writers may create from memory, identity, imagination, humor, desire, or pure invention. They will learn how to stretch a single image or phrase into layered meaning and transform what they notice into an original poem.

Participants will also receive time to revise, practice reading their work with a partner, and share voluntarily with the group. Writers may pass, keep their work private, write fictionally, or choose an alternative image-based prompt.

No previous poetry or oracle-card experience is required. This class is designed for young writers of all experience levels who are curious about poetry, visual storytelling, and creative experimentation. Sometimes, the card is not a prediction, it is permission to discover what has been waiting to become a poem.

IMPORTANT! Please fill out this emergency contact Health & Safety form for the student before the first day of the Youth class: https://forms.gle/W9dZP2vbDzZvdzoP6

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.

All Loft classes take place in Central Time.