Whitman Close Reading & Workshop with Marvin Bell
"Marvin Bell has the largest heart since Walt Whitman."—Harvard Review
Come celebrate Whitman's 200th birthday and learn about the poet's signature style with acclaimed poet Marvin Bell. This class will include a short lecture, close reads of "When I heard the Learn'd astronomer" and "I hear America Singing" and a chance to write Whitmanesque poems of your own!
Here's a note from Mr. Bell: “I’ll provide short Whitman poems, talk some about free verse in general, and about the poems. Then we’ll write a blatant imitation of Whitman poems. If there is time, participants who wish to can read their poems to the group. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be fun. It isn’t meant to drive you crazy. That’s just a bonus!”
Marvin Bell taught 40 years for the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop and served two terms as Iowa’s first Poet Laureate. He has published 24 books and is known also for his many collaborations with other artists and for his influential teaching. Often redefining his poetics from book to book, he is the creator of the "Dead Man" and "Dead Man Resurrected" poems, and has been called "ambitious without pretension." His literary honors include awards from the Academy of American Poets, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Guggenheim and NEA fellowships, and Senior Fulbright appointments to Yugoslavia and Australia.
"Marvin Bell has the largest heart since Walt Whitman."—Harvard Review
Come celebrate Whitman's 200th birthday and learn about the poet's signature style with acclaimed poet Marvin Bell. This class will include a short lecture, close reads of "When I heard the Learn'd astronomer" and "I hear America Singing" and a chance to write Whitmanesque poems of your own!
Here's a note from Mr. Bell: “I’ll provide short Whitman poems, talk some about free verse in general, and about the poems. Then we’ll write a blatant imitation of Whitman poems. If there is time, participants who wish to can read their poems to the group. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be fun. It isn’t meant to drive you crazy. That’s just a bonus!”
Brooklyn Public Library - Central Library, Trustees Room MM/DD/YYYY 60