“The important thing is to concentrate as much as possible on the making, respectively, of poetry and of (poetry of) mind. This kind of alchemical transformation has to do with the force of the imagination, with the intensification of experience, and therefore with passion.”

–Giuseppe Civitarese, from “Bion on Negative Capability and Faith”

Finding inspiration to deeply revise and write exciting, unfamiliar and electric poems is at the heart of this workshop. Arrive armed with a poem or small body of poems that is calling out for transformation. We will devote ourselves to building the crucible to alchemize your writing, to enliven meaningful, constructive ideas for how to move forward with that work— whatever stage it may be in to start.

This is a class about taking an idea you already have— that is yet to be fully realized— and alchemize it, so we can intensify and expand our experience of the poem as readers, and writers. We will listen deeply and read motivating materials, poetry and beyond, do in-class writing, and do whatever it takes to leave the retreat with an imagination on fire.