Listen To This: Sound And Structure In Writing Poems With Maurice Manning

FacWeb-ManningRobert Frost once said a poem enters our ear before it enters our eye. I’ve found that a compelling observation. Poems indeed have a certain sound: they sound a certain way, utilize various means for making sound, and through patterns and structures of sound achieve various effects. Some poems, in fact, are better listened to than read. This workshop will look at traditional sound effects poets have used, such as meter, but also consider figures, such as simile and imagery, and how even the figure can be related to sound. In addition to carefully looking at participants’ work, we will read poems provided by the instructor, and do hands-on writing exercises. Participants will send three to five poems in advance, by mail before January 5th, and bring 17 copies of each to the first workshop meeting.