Many poets have created prose statements about their understanding of what poetry is and its meaning in the world. Sometimes this goes under the name of ‘poetics’. On occasions these statements have been hugely influential and still have significant bearing on how we think about poetry today, in the twenty-first century.

This exciting six-week course will introduce some of these manifestos: it will combine older foundational writings (by Wordsworth, Arnold, Eliot and Pound), twentieth-century essays by Audre Lorde and Adrienne Rich, and quotes and extracts from living poets who continue to engage with and develop these ideas. We will also look at numerous contemporary poems that enact, argue with or subvert the poetics these poets offered.

There will be reading to do before sessions and writing exercises will be suggested too. Places will be limited so early booking is recommended.

Price: £150.

Send an email to info@rosiemilespoet.com to arrange payment (by bank transfer).