Master Poets as Models Study of individual poets who have had an influence on the American tradition, especially those who write prose poems, experimental work, inspiring work. We will take apart poems and see what makes them work. I remember my brother disassembling wristwatches and exposing all the tiny springs and gears. This course will do the same with poems. To join, email kansaspoetry[at]gmail.com
- William Stafford (he can write about 2, 3, and 4 timeframes in a single poem)
- Charles Simic, prose poems, with a look at Rimbaud’s Season in Hell
- Ronald Johnson (erasure inventer, ultra-compression)
- Francis Ponge, “poet of things,” who included his process with his poems https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/francis-ponge
- Hadara Bar Nadav’s inversions of points of view
- Other topics/poets: Talk poetry of Tommy Pico
I’ll work with Poetry Foundation samples of poems mostly, so no need to buy books. The course includes weekly course materials, online editing of 2 poems a week, plus: In person: workshop meeting, access to online/in-person print materials, and OPTIONAL online editing of 2 poems before the class meeting (48 hrs. ahead of the meeting time). We meet 6-8pm: Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, Mar. 5, March 12. Meetings are in the Johnson Co. Central Resource Library, Study Room 9 (Jan. 22) and Study Room 10 (all meetings after Jan. 22). We have the room reserved starting at 5:45 pm for informal chatting. Regular workshop participants who miss a meeting may access online materials and participate in online editing/chat rooms. Online option only, review of the session’s portfolio at the end (editing and suggestions for publication of 10 revised poems from the course). Terms are $30@ or 6 for $150, payable through PayPal, Google Wallet, or Square (credit cards): mammothpubs[at]gmail.com. Cash or checks (made out to Mammoth Publications) work also.
