What does it mean to write poetry as transformation?
Transformation can be subtle or sudden. It can happen when we go through a big change in our lives, like a birthday, new year, or anniversary, or it can happen spontaneously.
We can achieve transformation through writing poetry. This can happen through many avenues, including surprise: when we receive pleasure or delight or a new insight, when we create novel metaphors that change the way we see the world, or when a tricky, stuck emotion finally gets expressed onto the page.
In other words, transformation is about change. And that change, hopefully, leads us to something better, the next stage in our lives.
Hosted by Malibu Poet Laureate Emeritus and Founder of The Poetry Vessel, Nathan Hassall, Poetry as Transformation is a poetry writing workshop that focuses on four key areas, based on Nathan’s 18 years of poetry writing, editing, and teaching experience.
Throughout this course, we will:
Use guided meditations to get into a flow state
Read and discuss poems connected to each week’s themes
Create new poems with writing prompts
Share our writing (optional!)
Learn “soft-skills” to write stronger poems
At the end of this course, you can expect to have a deeper understanding of transformation and poetry, connect with a new community of other poets and seekers, and emerge with many new poems (2-3 per workshop).
Course Structure:
WEEK 1 | Thursday, May 7th (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST): Writing Shadow and Light Poems
WEEK 2 | Thursday, May 14th (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST): Writing Dream Poems
WEEK 3 | Thursday, May 21st (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST): Writing Ecological/Nature Poems
WEEK 4 | Thursday, May 28th (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST): Writing Spiritual Poems
Please note that portions of this workshop may be recorded for future educational or marketing purposes. By registering, you consent to being recorded. However, we will never share a clip of your personal sharing without your explicit, additional written permission. Recordings and materials will be shared with participants weekly. Workshop Registration is open to Adults (18+) only.