Playing with Poetic Forms

In this remote class we'll explore some common and uncommon poetic forms: abecedarian and acrostic poems, erasure poems, sonnets, villanelles, ghazals, pantoums, found poems, list poems, blues poems, "mistranslations", and aubades. We will also play with the idea that you can modify, tweak, or otherwise adapt a traditional form to your own uses, and even make up your own forms!

"Form in poetry is like a jungle gym which can give structure to the swinging impulses of your mind and strengthen and lengthen your poetic muscles," says instructor Alison Luterman. "Recently the sonnet in particular has been reinvigorated by contemporary poets like Terrance Hayes and Diane Seuss who have used it to write about the current political scene, giving birth, punk rock and a host of other topics.”

In this remote class we'll read, discuss and take inspiration from contemporary poets who have used old forms in new ways; we'll write our own formal poems and share them with each other, and we'll experiment with creating our own hybrid forms. We will not be doing in-depth workshopping of student work. Both experienced and novice poets are warmly welcomed.  

About The Writing Salon's Online Zoom Classes

You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.