Poetry is music-in-words. It is the most primal and the most artful literary form. In this course, we will read poems that span a rich variety of styles, themes, forms and periods in English literature from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era. This course will teach you about poetry by teaching you to savor poetry. In the process, you will acquire a range of insights and very close reading skills.
Most of all, you will learn to write poems which unveil the extraordinary in your everyday experiences. Besides reading great poetry old and new, we will focus on identifying and developing the unique form, voice, and style that can make your own work stand out. For Level I, students of all levels of experience are welcome, and beginners are especially encouraged. Level II is for students who are already writing at (or almost at) a publishable level.