Immerse yourself in the rhythms and structures of traditional verse. In this workshop, we'll explore the core elements of formal poetry, examining how sounds interweave and resonate within lines and across stanzas, creating intricate patterns of rhythm and meaning in various poetic forms. We'll start with couplets and then each week investigate new territories, embracing forms like quatrains, ballads, sonnets, villanelles, and pantoums. Throughout, you’ll not only learn about the rich history of these styles but also discover how contemporary poets have reinvented and stretched their boundaries. This workshop isn't about converting you into a New Formalist poet. Instead, it's about providing a creative sandbox in which you can experiment and harness the techniques that are foundational, if seemingly invisible, in the best of free verse poetry.

Explore the intriguing world of free verse, where we dispel the myth that free verse is completely free of structure. Each week, we’ll look at the often subtle and sometimes bold forms that underpin this style of poetry. In our exploration, we will observe various types of poetic lines: from the expansive long lines to the concise short ones, the balanced medium lines, the unpredictable variable length lines, and even the fluid prose poems. As we navigate through these styles, you'll deepen your understanding of what defines a poetic line and how it can be a powerful tool in crafting your own poems. By the end of this workshop, you'll have a greater appreciation and a more refined approach to creating free verse poetry, truly making the lines your own.

Step into a world of creative expression with our workshop dedicated to the art of figurative language in poetry, where each week is an exploration into the many forms of metaphorical expression. Each week, we examine different types of metaphors and how they are used in the works of classic and modern poets to express various ideas and emotions. Our exploration extends beyond conventional metaphors, encompassing an array of figurative language elements such as similes, epic similes, extended metaphors, personification, apostrophe, synecdoche, metonymy, and hyperbole. This workshop offers a comprehensive look at how these techniques transform ordinary language into extraordinary imagery and emotion. Whether you're a budding poet or an experienced writer, this workshop will enhance your understanding and application of these powerful literary tools.

Immerse yourself in a sensory adventure as each week unveils the magic of a new sense. In this set of experiments, we go beyond merely writing about sight, sound, taste, touch, or smell. Instead, the focus is on evoking these sensations to conjure worlds in which our imaginations taste, feel, hear, and see. Our goal is to push past simple descriptions. Together, we explore the art of fusing words and sensations, crafting poems that are not just read, but felt and lived.

Venture into the suprising world of revision, where we focus on reimagining and refining existing poems rather than crafting new ones from scratch. Bring along poems that you're struggling with or even those you're proud of, as we'll dive into various revision techniques to enhance them. We'll explore how revising poetry is not just an editing task, but a continuation of the creative process itself. Throughout this workshop, you'll gain a more profound understanding of what it means to revise a poem, exploring its many possibilities. Our journey will be guided by insights from Charles Finn and Kim Stafford's The Art of Revising Poetry: 21 U.S. Poets on their Drafts, Craft, and Process, complemented by perspectives and techniques from other poets who have shared their revision journeys. Get ready to see your poetry in a new light and uncover the endless potential in each line and verse.