
Poetry & The Pleasures of Invention
Why does the idea of “writing in form” sometimes seem intimidating or constraining? Where did these forms come from, anyway? Who thought them up, who made up their rules?
Invention is defined in Jane Hirshfield’s “The Four-Postered Beds of Mycenae” as the mind’s leaning forward into a space where there used to be nothing, until such leaning falls toward something “that cannot be escaped until [it just has to be] invented.”
In this workshop, we’ll think up new (approaches to) forms that borrow from any of the disciplines we know well or that beckon to us for deeper study.
We’ll aim to use these explorations to inspire new writing and/or poem revisions; we’ll try to invent our own forms and find pleasure in shaping them and applying them to our own writing.
Please note: This class or event will be held online (using Zoom or a similar live platform). To participate, students or attendees should have a stable internet connection. Class participants: you should have a computer or device with a webcam and microphone; and your Zoom link will be automatically sent to you after you register. Check your spam box if you don't see it.