Teen Summer: Writing Personal Poetry to Heal

Class Description

Class Description:

Our bodies carry our life experiences, and poetry can be a tool for exploring our relationship to our stories- whether or not you consider yourself to be a poet.

In this course, we will experiment with literary techniques like voice, imagery, point of view, language and compositional form to support the self-exploration that gives rise to our unique, embodied voice. Through our personal poetry, we can deepen our understanding and appreciation of the diversity and complexity within us, and in those around us. From this place, our personal poetry becomes part of a dialogue within a larger collective.

We will explore how our life experiences related to race, sexuality, gender identity, family history, war, trauma, grief and loss, addiction and healing can be explored through poetry, and held by our poems. In addition to exploring techniques and applying them to generative writing exercises, we'll engage with readings, podcast interviews, experiential embodiment practices, group discussions, and workshops of each other's work.

Poets we’ll study may include: Lisa Russ Spaar, Natalie Diaz, Joy Harjo, Sharon Olds, Louise Gluck, Audre Lorde, Lucille Clifton, Marie Howe, Yusef Komunyakaa, Oliver de la Paz, Terrance Hayes, Ross Gay, Gregory Orr, and Chen Chen. For writers age 13 - 18 ONLY. This class was previously listed as, The Personal is Poetic.

Takeaway:

By the end of this series, you will have generated drafts of new poems, received feedback on work, and started revisions for these works. You will have deepened your craft knowledge, explored new ways of approaching your poetry, and will have experienced poetry to be a self-care skill and community-building experience allowing you to inhabit yourself and your life on and off the page in renewed ways.

Class Format:

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. Students who need an MBTA pass to commute to class and/or a lunch stipend can request one using this form. Snacks, pens, notebooks and chromebooks (limited amount) will be provided!

Space Accessibility:

Our space is fully ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.

Covid-19 Updates:

GrubStreet is a mask-friendly space. When our community Covid risk level is low or medium, masks are optional. We are currently at a high community risk level, so masking is required. Learn more about our Covid-19 Policy here.

Registration Instructions:

• If the student is under 18, parents/guardians must complete this permission form online. You only need to fill this form out ONE TIME, NOT for every class. If you cannot remember whether you have already filled it out, please email [email protected] and we will check for you! If you do not complete this form, your registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply.
• If the student is 18, simply let us know by emailing [email protected].
• If you are registering on behalf of a student, add their email in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen at check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet.
• Please register with your preferred name :)

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***If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]. We’re looking forward to writing with you this summer!***