Love of Ruin

A phantom feeling: lashes fluttering
against my cheek. No flesh, no nerve. wax wings:
imaginings that spring from wish alone.
The thirsty wanderer endures the same
fateful mirage: eats sand and tastes champagne.
You seem so whole; I’m left no room to mourn
the rubble we’ve become. The pilgrimage
we make each day; our devastated bed
beguiles. We are the sights to see. Engaged
by graveyard days, I rest against your head-
stone chest like flowers, so you’ll understand
what wilting is. One kiss with ravaged lips.
Embrace with wasted lust. Remaindered man
and woman wrecked by wants. This mess is us.

ONLINE POETRY WORKSHOP WITH JESSICA PIAZZA:
6 week workshop June 2 to July 14

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:

A 6-week summer online poetry workshop with an emphasis on poetic craft. We will examine the many approaches, voices, forms and tools of poetic craft, breaking them down and discussing them as possibilities for broadening our own work. Everyone is welcome, as our goal–more than anything–will be to write amazing poems.

WHY THE EMPHASIS ON CRAFT?

None of us would be here if we didn’t have something to say. The question is, then–and has always been: how will we say it? Paying razor sharp attention to how the tools of poetic craft can transform, manipulate and enliven subject is a starting point into answering that question. From the simple line break to the more intricate questions of form, meter, rhythm, space and voice, we will consider a different poetic tool/style each week. Through discussing poems both contemporary and classic alongside our own work, we will hopefully find inspiration; new jumping off points to present our visions.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The workshop uses the Moodle learning management system. Participants do not have to be in a certain place at a certain time, but will log into the workshop space throughout the week, whenever is convenient for them.

The class is limited to 15 people. Each participant can hand in a poem each week to receive detailed feedback from the instructor, and all participants will have the opportunity to workshop several poems with the group. Each participant will also have the opportunity for a phone or online video conference with the instructor at the end of the workshop.

We workshop poetry every week. In addition, we will consider various readings (lectures on craft, interviews with writers and editors, sample poems, etc) to jumpstart a weekly discussion. Each craft discussion will feature online resources: i.e. poems in literary magazines or collections, lectures from the instructor, videos of readings, interviews of authors from Poets & Writers and other publications, etc. All the supporting materials will be free—participants won’t have to buy any books or other materials.

HOW MUCH?

The workshop is $199. For that amount, you’ll get critique on six poems, writing prompts, materials for consideration and a private conference with your instructor. And, you’ll be supporting Barrelhouse

AND WHO IS JESSICA PIAZZA?

Jessica Piazza is the author of two poetry collections: Interrobang (Red Hen Press) and the chapbook This is not a sky (Black Lawrence Press). She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California and is currently a contributing editor for The Offending Adam and a reader for the National Poetry Series. Her commitment to fostering writing communities wherever she lives led her to co-found of Bat City Review in Austin, TX, Gold Line Press in Los Angeles and Speakeasy Poetry Series in New York City. Learn more at www.jessicapiazza.com.