What makes a poem a poem? What are some of the elements that make a poem effective and relatable? What is poetic form? How do poets balance form and content?
In this class we will aim to find the answers to these and other questions by exploring aspects of poetic craft such as image and metaphor, poetic leaps and associations, first lines, line breaks, endings, and poetic structures.
Every session we will study one element of poetic craft, read a variety of poems from different time periods, and generate our own poems applying what we learned. The course is geared towards beginner poets, but writers of all levels are welcome. You will find inspiration, motivation, and a supportive community.
Leonora Simonovis is a Venezuelan born poet, educator, and scholar who lives in San Diego, CA, on the unceded territory of the Kumeyaay Nation. She holds a Ph.D in Hispanic literatures from Washington University in St. Louis and an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Currently, she is a Professor of Latin American and Caribbean literature and culture at the University of San Diego (USD), where she also teaches creative writing in Spanish. She has been nominated a Woman of Impact, received an award from Student Support Services for the “Most Inspirational Professor,” and has been recognized for outstanding Scholarship, Leadership, and Service.
Leonora's poetry manuscript Study of the Raft was selected by final judge Sherwin Bitsui as the winner of the 2021 Colorado Prize for Poetry. Study of the Raft also earned an Honorable Mention in the 2022 International Latino Book Awards. Leonora's work has appeared in Gargoyle, Kweli Journal, The American Journal of Poetry, Tinderbox, The Rumpus, Arkansas International, and Diode Poetry Journal, among others.