THE SHAPE A POEM MAKES: SHAPESHIFTING with CHRIS SWANBERG
Saturday, December 5th, 2015 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Crest Theatre, 51 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33444

Christine Swaberg

Let’s examine what a poem can do simultaneously: create a short narrative, invent original phrases, construct sparkling juxtapositions, lead to an epiphany, probe psychological depth, and sculpt elegant stanzas. Some poems sparkle with originality. Some sing with musicality and lines that breathe like arias. Others have a message that moves us deeply. The shape a poem makes invites us to read it. We will revisit the sonnet form to use in a modern way as well as various free verse strategies.

Christine will give a reading of her work, then discuss the shaping of some of those poems. She will share poems that have been shaped intentionally so that their form and structure enhance their meaning.

Let’s experiment with shape and form and dare to stray off the beaten path of free verse. Is it possible to open up poems and let them do things we have not imagined or allowed them to do before by shaping them in original ways? Is it possible to use a form such as sonnet to create a new vibrancy and intelligence in shaping poems? We will look at a few poems that accomplish these things and discuss strategies used.

Bring a poem or two for revision. Or if you prefer, you can start from scratch. If time we will share the poems in a cordial, supportive way.

CHRISTINE SWANBERG‘s books include TONIGHT ON THIS LATE ROAD (Erie St., 1984), INVISIBLE STRING (Erie St., 1990), BREAD UPON THE WATERS (UW:Whitewater, 1990), SLOW MIRACLE (Lake Shore, 1992), THE TENDERNESS OF MEMORY (Plainview Press, 1995), THE RED LACQUER ROOM (Chiron Press, 2001) and WHO WALKS AMONG THE TREES WITH CHARITY(Wind Publications, KY, 2005) and THE ALLELUIA TREE (Puddin’head Press, IL). Hundreds of her poems have appeared in many journals, most recently GARDEN BLESSINGS and BACK TO JOY. An interview appears in POET’S MARKET 2008. Christine is a writing teacher for museums, churches, arts councils, schools, conferences, and women’s organizations, and The Clearing in Door County, Wisconsin. Recent essays appear in WOMEN ON POETRY and WRITING AFTER RETIREMENT.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOPS
One Day Workshops at Delray Beach Center for the Arts are held at 12:30 pm. Be sure to bring a sweater. The cost is $10 for these workshops. To RSVP for any of these poetic events, contact Dr. Blaise Allen, the Poetry Festival’s Director of Community Outreach, at DrBlaiseAllen@aol.com, or sign up for our e-blast list.

$10.00