Erotic Poetry Study Hall: Lucille Clifton's Collected Poems

In Audre Lorde’s "Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power,” Lorde describes the erotic as “a well of replenishing, more than just physical sensation/the pornographic, it is power, information, and the chaos of our strongest feelings.”

In this class, we will explore the Lordean Erotics in the The Collected Poetry of Lucille Clifton. We will read poems from Clifton through a Lordean erotic lens, noting where Clifton’s poems are alive, deep with feeling, replenishing, and integrated with her living. As we turn towards our own poetry, Clifton and Lorde will guide us in reclaiming our own erotic lives and deepest feeling from whatever taints, tarnishes, or spoils it. Students can expect to begin one new poem and receive feedback from the class. 

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.