Discourse, in-class writing, workshop, essay. This class will focus on our ability to gain access to a more generative flow-state in creativity, and we’ll write poems as well as short essay hybrid pieces. Students will write new poems (or hybrid form of poetry writing you prefer), challenge our personal status quo, become better editors of our own work. This class is not a traditional  workshop. Rather, it is a class to alchemize your whole approach to poetry. We will read a lot. Talk a lot. And write a lot. Some days will focus on workshops, others craft.

In this 6-week class we will investigate theories of consciousness in both psychology, philosophy and poetry. We will use a variety of texts from across these genres: from Freud to Gaston Bachalard, Wilfred Bion, John Keats, Claudia Rankin, Anne Sexton, Louise Bogan, Gertrude Stein, Franz Wright, Edouard Glissant and more. We will challenge ourselves to investigate thoughtful, uncertain ideas, and really ask ourselves: How do I write what I want to write? What do I want to write? And above all: how do I allow the unconscious out to play in my writing? We shall see.

This class thrives on attendance, intimacy, and respect. Everyone is expected to participate with an open mind. The class will be limited to 8 students.