In this 8-week master class in poetry, we will focus on ways in which the work of both canonical and contemporary poets can help us generate new work and hone revision strategies. By approaching William Shakespeare, Elizabeth Bishop, Yusef Komunyakaa, and others as colleagues, we not only learn from their discoveries but also become more confident of our own place in the long continuum of poetry.

Our focus will be on the tools of poetry: word choice, line, stanza, punctuation, imagery, character, sound, and syntax. Each session will include readings and discussions that focus on specific craft elements as well as a linked writing prompt and revision advice. Participants should be prepared to draft a new poem or revision each week, study and discuss the work of a variety of featured poets, and participate fully in conversations and critiques.