All the World’s a Poem—Start Writing Yours!: A Beginner’s Course with Alexis Sears

Have you always been curious about poetry but never knew where to start? Traumatized by droning high school English teachers? Or maybe you’ve felt intimidated by archaic words, murky meanings, or convoluted forms that feel more like equations than poems. This six-week beginner’s workshop is your chance to forget all that, stepping into poetry without pretension or fear! We’ll play with the fundamental building blocks—voice, rhythm, imagery, figurative language—and discuss formal and free verse pieces, both old school and modern, by poets of all backgrounds.

Each session includes readings, discussion, and exciting writing exercises that make the blank page feel inviting, not terrifying. We’ll talk about how to closely read poetry in a way that helps your writing, the keys to trusting your instinct during the revision process, and the most effective strategies for developing an authentic voice. The 6-week class will also include supportive, productive workshops where you discuss…