Out of the quarrel with others we make rhetoric; out of the quarrel with ourselves we make poetry. 

                   ~W.B. Yeats

It is the job of poetry to clean up our word-clogged reality by creating silences around things. 

                   ~Stephen Mallarme

• What is your vision of the life of a poet? Pick an image, symbol, or metaphor of yourself as a poet, then write it down. Where are you? How do you spend your days? Where do you want to go? How and why is poetry important to you. Does your image fit your ideal?
• What is creativity? Describe the creative faculty, and discuss where that faculty is located (in your intellect, emotions, soul, etc.).
• Are the processes of learning and creativity linked. If so, how are they linked? Discuss the value of discipline to creativity—are they connected? does one feed the other? how? Are the activities of creativity and discipline important to your image of being a poet? How does discipline fit into your image or metaphor as poet?
• Does looking at the world through the lens of poetic imagination change the way you see the world? How?
• Is there a link between your creativity and your experiences? If so, what is that link, and how would you use it in your work as a poet? If not, from where does your creativity originate? How do you access it?
• Does your experience with creativity value the fleeting, "beautiful" moments over the everlasting "truth"? Are either, or both important aspects of your own poetic vision?
• How do you handle writer's block? Do you think that writing about specific moments in time is easier than writing about more generalized thoughts or ideas? Which fits with your ideas of poetry the best?
• When you face an unknown experience, do you do so with dread or excitement? Describe such an experience, and discuss how it fits into the way you approach writing poetry.
• What is your right hand touching? Name it. Now erase the name and turn what you're feeling into a process by describing what your hand is feeling.
• How were you able to tell what your hand was feeling? Was it through an absolute level of knowledge like a "known" fact, or did your mind move down into your hand to feel what it was feeling? Or did your mind stay in your head while your hand told your brain what it felt?

I look forward to seeing you all in workshop. Let's have fun!

Course Requirements

Attendance is required and necessary since this is a participation-oriented class. More than four absences are grounds for failure. There will be times in the semester when you really need the days off, so don't miss class without good reason.

If you know you are going to miss a class, let me know. You are responsible for finding out what you missed and what assignments are due for the next class. If you miss a class, FIRST, ask your classmates, then feel free to ask me. Missed assignments will not be excused because of absences. Athletes: any special arrangements for athletes must be made with the professor at least two week prior to the event.

Do not come late to class. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, for any reason, you will be marked as absent. Likewise for leaving class early. Also, three times tardy equals an absence. Late attendance and absences will affect your participation grade. If you miss more than four (two, TR) classes, you will not receive an "A" for your participation grade.

 You are expected to be prepared for every meeting. This means completing all reading and writing assignments on time. Failure to do so will greatly affect your participation grade.