Big Things Come in Small Stanzas: The Quiet Power of Poetic Forms (FULL)

NOTE: This class is now full and we are no longer accepting registrations. Sorry! In the meantime, we invite you to check out our other offerings, sign up for our newsletter, and become a member to be the first to hear about newly added classes.‍

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On writing her book Other People's Comforts Keep Me Up at Night, poet Morgan Parker said, "Let's see what happens if I made a sestina with the Real Housewives," which is to say: Forms do not have to be formal. They can be mysterious, strange, whimsical, or, as the poet Adrienne Rich once said, the "asbestos gloves" we need to handle the difficult topics of our lives we don't know how to pick up otherwise. In this four-part class, we will use each class to study and discuss four different forms: haiku, sonnet, villanelle, and sestina. We will look at different examples of each form and go over techniques and prompts for writing our own. The class will culminate with a student reading where we celebrate the poems we wrote.

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Details: Big Things Come in Small Stanzas: The Quiet Power of Poetic Forms takes place Thursdays May 2, 9, 16 and 23 in-person at Literary Cleveland's offices, 13002 Larchmere Blvd in Cleveland.

Prerequisite: None

Genre: Poetry

Level: All experience levels welcome.

Format: Workshop with generative writing outside of class and feedback during class

Location: This class takes place in-person at Literary Cleveland's offices, 13002 Larchmere Blvd in Cleveland.

Size: Limited to 12 participants (including scholarships)

Suggested Sequence: Follow this class with an intermediate generative workshop.

Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by April 15.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.