“Poetic modes, such as letter and persona poems, allow us to participate in specific traditions, with focused themes, subjects, and techniques, while allowing our singular imaginations room to play,” says instructor Brian Tierney. “Unlike poetic forms, such as the sonnet or sestina, poetic modes do not have fixed rules or patterns, so they often feel less intimidating, more forgiving to our creative whims.”
In this 5-week generative class, we will dive into a range of poetic modes, including persona poetry, poetry of place, poetry based on visual art, and epistolary/letter poetry, each of which have their own long traditions. Experimenting with these modes—such as constructing fictional identities for persona poems or inventing intimate receivers for letter poems—can enlarge our sense of what we consider our “subjects,” and often lead to unique discoveries that not only expand what we write about, but how we write. Every week we will focus on one of these modes, read and discuss example poems, and generate poetic content in that mode through in-class prompts and exercises.
“While this is primarily a generative class and not a workshop, there will be some time to optionally share and discuss the fruits of each poet’s in-class creativity,” says Brian. “By the end of 5 weeks, participants will come away with at least the beginning of a poem in each poetic mode and an appreciation for the unique tradition behind each mode.”
About The Writing Salon's In-Person Classes
Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about the class. If you have any questions about in-person learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.
Brian Tierney is the author of Rise and Float, winner of the 20-2021 Jake Adam York Prize (Milkweed, 2022). His poetry and prose have appeared in such journals as Paris Review, Kenyon Review, AGNI, New England Review, The Adroit Journal, and others. A former Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, and a graduate of the Bennington College MFA Writing Seminars, he was named among Narrative Magazine’s 2013 “30 Below 30” emerging writers, and is winner of the 2018 George Bogin Memorial Award from The Poetry Society of America. Raised in Philadelphia, he lives in Oakland, Ca., where he teaches poetry at The Writing Salon.
- Thursday, August 14, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Thursday, August 21, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Thursday, August 28, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Thursday, September 04, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Thursday, September 11, 6:30pm-9:00pm
- This is an enthusiastic endorsement for Brian - I'm a long time educator so I know what to look for. Brian is well planned, knowledgeable and reflective. He's sensitive to the class and to individual needs as well as leading us to a wider appreciation of poetry and helping us to feel our way to what 'good' poetry means. He is careful not to get in the way of our individual creative processes nor to be too prescriptive. I recommend him without reservation.
I am enjoying Brian's style and content very much, and feel I am growing because of his input and the way he draws the other students out to share their perceptions and their experiences. He seems very serious, well prepared, and eager to share his knowledge and expertise.