Find hope, and resilience, by learning from poets past and how to write your own in this six-week online class with Michael Wilson.
We live in an increasingly alarming global society, fraught with doomscrolling and information overload. It feels as though we’re ever at the cusp of crisis–ecological, political, personal–and yet, impossibly, the world goes on.
How do you reckon with these disparate realities? How do you grapple with the anxiety of living through the times when living is all you can do?
By learning from the past. And writing your own way through.
In this six-week poetry class, you’ll write poems towards these questions as you study and discuss poets who’ve lived through apocalyptic times, from Czeslaw Milosz and the post-WWII Polish poets to those writing on the cutting edge of ecological catastrophe.
Rather than using these examples as formal models, you’ll use them as a writer, to think alongside as you engage in your craft. You’ll also do some occasional experimenting with formal modes and genres (elegies, sonnets, etc.) that lend themselves toward this line of inquiry.
Throughout the six weeks, you’ll write and workshop several poems.
This might be the class for you if you:
- Are curious about poetry but have felt too intimidated to jump in
- Write poetry occasionally but want a workshop environment to hone your craft
- Have bought poetry books in the past but have been unsure how to read them like a writer and wondered, why can’t poets just write like normal people?
- Have written some poetry or experimented with form and come away befuddled with questions like, what did I just do? Is this a poem, a song, something in-between? Is it any good? And how would I be able to tell?
- Feel frustrated at our current situation in America–loneliness, infighting, climate disaster–and want to light a path toward hope
No prior experience with poetry is necessary.
Arrive curious and open.
Be willing to learn about the poetic canon without sacrificing your personal vision and creativity.
What you can expect in this class
The aphorism remains: “To become a better writer, you must become a better reader.”
- Study, discuss, and think alongside poems that tackle similar issues you’re facing, and learn tools to write about your feelings, your anxieties, your hopelessness
- Read and dissect poets from across history, adding names to your personal repertoire that will (hopefully) be a regular source of joy and comfort: Emily Dickinson, Czeslaw Milosz, Elizabeth Bishop, Franny Choi, Jane Hirschfield, Edward Hirsch, to name a few.
- Learn how to workshop and discuss poetry in a way that honors the author’s intention while also analyzing the aspects that make a poem “work,” such as tone, form, pacing, and imagery.
- Learn how to write at least one formal poem and one genre poem (the sonnet and the elegy, respectively)
How will it be structured?
Each week you’ll explore a different topic within the category of “catastrophe.” Your reading discussion and writing assignments will be based around this topic.
Classes will be split between workshop and reading analysis/discussion, with the latter always finishing the class to inspire the next prompt.
A lot of the work will happen in class, but you’ll have some light reading homework (a couple of pages worth, no more, in addition to peer poetry) as well as writing prompts to ensure engaged, informed discussion for the next course.
Due to the sensitive nature of the topic at hand, we’ll work hard to create a safe and accommodating space where we can freely explore themes of crisis, resilience–and maybe even hope.
Saturdays, April 5 to May 17: April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 10, 17 (no class May 3)
3-5 pm
Online in the Wordcrafters Zoom room
Cost
Access: $269 – if you have limited access to funds
Sustainer: $359 – the actual cost of this group
Patron: $449 – if you have more access to wealth/resources and can support others who need to pay less
Choose the ticket price that best reflects your financial capacity. We trust you to discern your financial situation and your level of need or ability to give to others with less access to wealth.
Learn more about our Pay From Your Heart Pricing.
We want everyone to have access to our writing programs. If you need additional support, please complete our scholarship request form.
Wordcrafters members save 10% on this and other events and classes.
Click here to learn about becoming a Wordcrafter.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Masks are optional. Please stay home if you’re unwell with any upper respiratory illness.
Your instructor
Michael Wilson (he/him) is a writer, teacher, and forever student of poetry. He graduated from the University of Oregon where he received his MFA in Creative Writing, and currently lives in Eugene, OR, where he’s focusing on community building and project management. He has a terrible, perfect dog and thinks too much about games.
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