All Things Counter, Original, Spare, Strange With Chard Deniord

webphoto_deniordThis workshop will combine generative prompts and close critiquing of at least three poems by each student. We will focus on the lyric and lyrical narrative, concentrating in particular on “the news that stays news” in a world that has become inundated with news. We will entertain such questions as: what is the nature of the postmodern lyric? How best to incorporate information into the lyric? Can the parts of a lyric in today’s synchronic environment still resonate as transcendent “broken music”? In our attempts to capture a fresh voice and electric economy, we will explore innovative ways in received forms and free verse to wed the unconscious with the conscious, original expression with craft. In addition to our writing and critiquing assignments, we will read several lyrical poems by traditional and contemporary poets, including Emily Dickinson, John Clare, Natasha Trethewey, Bruce Smith, Ruth Stone, Terrance Hayes, James Wright, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Peter Gizzi, and Peter Everwine. Please bring 17 copies of three poems to the first meeting.