all times in Pacific
all labs on Zoom

This four-part class is an invitation to any and all folks who are interested in the art of poetry and are looking to learn more about it in an open and supportive environment. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a complete beginner, let’s come together to explore the intricate inner workings of poetry. Over four class sessions, we’ll engage with topics such as poetic devices, sound, structure, brainstorming, and revision.

This class runs every Tuesday from Oct 3 - Oct 24. There is also a Saturday track, found here.

• Part I: A Crash Course in Poetry & Verse

  New to poetry, or totally afraid of it? This workshop is for you! We’ll be going over the very basics of form, word choice, theme, and lines in poetry by reading examples, discussing forms and their strengths and weaknesses, as well as writing some of our own poetry inspired by the work we look at. All are welcome, just bring yourself and something to write with!

• Part II: Poetry & Sound: Hearing the Connection

  Language and sound have always been intertwined, and that is especially true for poetry. We will be examining poetic concepts such as anaphora and cacophony, reading examples from different poets, and diving deeper into the music of verse and poetry. Please bring yourself and something to write with; no experience needed. 

• Part III: In Verse: Breaking the Poetic Structure

  We will be examining poets who have given a big middle finger to the art of structure and form in poetry, while also playing around with broken structure ourselves. Bring yourself, your mind, and something to write with, and we’ll blast off into the world of word-building. All are welcome, no writing experience needed. 

• Part IV: Writing Workshop: Etiquette, Critique, and Revision

  Got something you’ve written but unsure of how to make it better? Interested in improving your craft but unsure where to start? Writing workshops are the place to be! We’ll be going over the workshop structure and its processes, with a focus on etiquette for critiques and revisions. Please bring something you’ve been working on that you’d like feedback on if you are able to; all are welcome no matter your experience level.

Taught by Gael Lewis

You must be enrolled before the first session to attend the full class.