Class Description
Martha Graham once said that the “body says what words cannot" and Sekou Sundiata's poem reminds us, "it all depends on the skin we're livin' in." In this course, we will attempt to use our words to write about and from the body, using the body as source and sensory input, but also as subject and inspiration. Each week, we will explore a different theme related to the body, such as "the history of the body;" myths and the body; and race, gender and the body. We'll examine poems by a diverse group of writers who use the page and/or performance in an embodied and hybrid fashion (including such writers as Heid Erdrich, Craig Santos Perez, Sharon Bridgforth, Mahmoud Darwish, Matthew Shenoda, and others). We’ll put what we learn into practice with weekly writing exercises that involve both poetry and prose. Twice throughout the course of the class, you will also have the opportunity to share your work for feedback––you may choose to either workshop two different pieces, or a draft and revision of the same piece.
You will leave the course with two developed pieces, the beginnings or fragments of several more, and the skills to continue develop them. This class is for poets or writers in other genres who would like to explore poetry as a form.
*NOTE that while our handy dandy "Schedule" tab states a 6-7pm class time, there are actually no live meetings for this class! Weekly lessons and assignments open each Wednesday. Students will receive an invitation to Wet Ink, our online class platform, before 5pm on the first day of class.
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.
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.