Dear Poets,
Way back when I was a high school journalist the first rule I learned was not to hide the most important point of a story (and that it really is spelled ‘lede’). So, before I share other thoughts, let me exhort you to join me next Monday for my new class!
Have you been thinking about getting back into writing poems? Or maybe starting? Does your National Poetry Month need a little zhuzh? It’s not too late to sign up and I would love to have you join in! This class is a bit different, as it will be epistolary — meaning it will take place over email (and likely voice memo) and our prompts will focus on writing to others. More details below:
I Wrote a Poem For You ✍️
Join me April 22-May 13 over email! I send out a prompt each Monday and by the following Sunday evening you send back a poem. You can email it to our entire group (for greater accountability), or just to me if you are more comfortable. I will send feedback by email (or voice memo). You are welcome to offer feedback to others, but it is not expected. The gist of this series is to write a new poem per week (or more!). During week five we will meet on Zoom for a convivial gathering in which we read poems, chat, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment!
Through the years, I’ve noticed poets are often motivated when they have the sense they are writing for others… whether that’s a gesture towards a past relative or ancestor, a lost friend, even a former self. Working with that energy, this series will focus on writing poems to or for others, almost in an epistolary sense. You can riff off this idea in any way you choose, but the prompts will direct you to start a poem that addresses someone or something.
Yes, you won’t get the frisson of seeing everyone weekly in their Brady Bunch boxes—but you also won’t have to spend more time online, nor have the awkwardness of volunteering to put your poem ‘up’ for group critique. I consider this a way to give feedback individually, yet harness a collective energy. Please reach out with any questions. I would love to see your writing!
I Wrote A Poem For You — April 22, 29, May 6, 13. Zoom celebration (to be scheduled) the week of May 20th. $150.00. Register by mailing me back here or at Elline.lipkin@gmail.com or text/call: (323) 236-8823. ✍️
Sharing with you:🪻
It’s a tradition — the last weekend in April at the Altadena Library means Poetry & Cookies. It will also be the last event hosted by our own Carla Sameth & Peter J. Harris — outgoing Poets Laureate. I plan to be there and might even read from my work in the Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2024. Saturday, April 27th, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Here is a recent essay by Carla published on the Academy of American Poets website: “On Poetry and Community: Carla Rachel Sameth.”
I would be remiss to not mention that LATFOB opens tomorrow (well, tonight with the book awards). The Poetry Stage is always a good bet with a set list of stellar writers. I hope to be there tomorrow at some point. Please reach out if you will be too!
The time seems right to post this again: “But What Do the Tortured Poets Think? I appreciated this quote: “‘As a tortured poet, I approve,’” said Christian Wiman, the editor of Poetry magazine from 2003 to 2013. ‘Or is she making fun of us? I guess I kind of approve of that, too.’”
I liked this graphic as well.
Did you know that for the rest of April you can call this number and hear a newly recorded poem each day? From NPR: “Call This Hotline to Listen to A New Poem Each Day for National Poetry month.”
“A Poem That’s Like a Perfect First Date” has wonderful commentary by critic A.O. Scott embedded in the margins next to Frank O’Hara’s delightful, classic poem. “Now we see that the joy of looking is what the poem is all about.” Scott deconstructs the poem while referring directly to its lines: “He makes you feel as if the poem exists only between you and him, a private confidence, a secret smile.” “That’s what poetry often aspires to do: to conjure a living presence through words.”
This class (above) on Sylva Plath, taught by Victoria Chang and Matthew Zapruder through the Community of Writers looks fantastic! April 28th-May 22nd. 4:00-6:00 PT.
Finally, I have become a person who follows cat accounts on Instagram. Click below in case you missed the eclipse last week! 🌕 🌓🌘 This person has some very tolerant models.
As always, I hope to hear from you! ✍️