The Image Factory: A Poetry Workshop

In this one-semester class, we will read poets who push the boundaries of logic and utilize wild, irrational imagery. Poets to be read include French and Spanish surrealists of the 1920s-30s; American poets from the 1950s and ’60s whose work is fueled by stark, leaping imagery; post-World War II Eastern Europeans; and a number of contemporary writers who drive their imaginations above the proverbial speed limit. In addition to our weekly workshops, there will be biweekly screenings, where we will examine surrealist films, including several by Luis Buñuel, looking for parallels between the genres. Through writing exercises and revision, students will be pushed to explore associative imagery in their own poetry and to discover for themselves the various ways that similes and metaphors and intuitive leaps can be employed to create a three-dimensional experience for the reader. Each week, students will read a book of poetry, type a short critical response, and turn in a new poem. The semester will culminate with students vigorously revising a small manuscript of poems.