According to Alexander Pope, if we are to believe him, “sound must be an echo to the sense.” But what happens when we follow these echoes in language and let ourselves get lost? Where does this word come from, what is the relationship it has to what it describes, how does this sound fit with other sounds, and—maybe most importantly—is it fun to say out loud? In this way of entering a poem, we are trying to discover meaning rather than impose it. This kind of exploration breaks us from the obvious or expected destination. It can lead us to surprises, twists, and connections we might not have otherwise found. What looks at first like nonsense might in fact be a discovery we don’t understand—yet. For this workshop, we will focus on playing with sound as a way to start a poem, move one forward when it’s “stuck,” or even as a tool for revision.

Where: Online Workshop
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Time: 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
TO REGISTER:
Email Writing Center Coordinator Robin Jordan at rjordan@justbuffalo.org.
This workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 8 participants.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTE:
Writers are welcome to participate with or without video and audio during any of our virtual sessions. If you have any questions/issues accessing any of these opportunities, please let us know and we will work with you to make sure you can participate.