Interdisciplinary Arts 0196 - On The Long Poem: Intermediate Poetry Workshop

There are many "rules" that accompany the writing of poetry-among them, the practice of the poet deploying an "economy of language," or revising one's work to eliminate redundancy, cliche, or weak diction. Economy of language has its place in drafting and revising poetry but isn't the only evidence of a knowledge of craft. Craft can also be displayed in the long poem, which this workshop will consider the long poem. How does the writer sustain the poem's focus, momentum, and direction? How does the writer emphasize "intent" given the expansiveness of the poem? How does the writer negotiate the possibility of excess? More importantly, how does the long poem sustain the reader's attention and engagement? Why go on and on? What's the payoff? Students may consider the work of Rachel Zucker, Ross Gay, Tommy Pico, John Murillo, and Brigit Pegeen Kelly, among others. As workshop courses often fill quickly and have lengthy waitlists, students must attend the first workshop session to secure class enrollment. Keywords:Poetry, workshop, revision, long

Time and Narrative Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time