Charles Olson, in “Projective Verse,” states that poetry is energy transference from poet to poem to reader. This idea is one birthed from an understanding of land, place, and field. In this part lecture, part generative workshop, activities will focus on learning how place creates an energy that informs the composition of a poem. Participants will begin with a presentation on Diné-centered thought and life way models of art creation.

This workshop seeks to explore the idea of audience while debunking the myths that our audience is either everyone or no one. We will hone in on what tools writers use to signal to their audiences that the poem is to/for them, how we add love, empathy, and intimacy into our writing, and how we can be more in use of our work as gathering grounds and private lines of communication.

Join the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and Burton Barr Central Library for a talk with poet Danez Smith on Thursday, September 12, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Pulliam Auditorium at Burton Barr Central Library (1221 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004).