ekphrasis

A recent visit to my favorite serendipity bookstore (New England Mobile Book Fair in Newton Highlands, MA) did not disappoint. I came away with Linda Sue Park’s Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo Poems, Side by Side edited by Jan Greenberg and a gem called Poetry As Spiritual Practice by Robert McDowell.

All these will feed my poetry workshops which begin today. We will use a method to “unpack” poems I learned from Baron Wormser (poet and co-author of A Surge of Language, Teaching Poetry Day by Day.)

The first exercise will explore ekphrasis - writing poetry from art. I love to search for a painting that calls to me on a museum visit. First, I do a “naive poet’s sketch” in pencil (guards approach you if you take out a pen), then jot down thoughts and impressions on the spot. Later, the notes and sketch lead to a poem. Postcard art will be our workshop inspiration.