Poetry Revision - September 2026

Randall Jarrell once said that being a poet is standing in a field waiting to get struck by lightning. And sometimes, it works: the storm comes and a poem shoots right through us, bright and strange as a meteor. More often than not, though, it’s just us and the lightning bugs doing their disorganized dance. This is where revision comes in, fanning a spark into a bolt, or harnessing the scatter and getting it to pull us forward. In this class, we will practice both radical and focused revision strategies while reading and discussing the work of published poets, pre- and post-revision. Participants will need to have at least one poem that is on the right track, but hasn’t quite arrived yet.

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Details: Poetry Revision with Xan Forest Philips takes place Mondays September 28, October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26, November 2, November 9, and November 16th from 6:30-8:30 PM remotely online via Zoom.

‍Prerequisite: None

‍Genre: Poetry

‍Level: Intermediate/Advanced

‍Format: Workshop

‍Location: This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

‍Size: Limited to 10 participants.

Scholarships: One scholarship spot is available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by Sunday, August 23rd. Click here to apply.

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