This course will read one book of poems each week. Class participation will be required by reading poems aloud. We will read big poems & little poems, long poems & short poems, old poems & new poems, easy poems & difficult poems, sad poems & funny poems. You will learn how to sound like a poet by pronouncing the subject of the course as a two syllable word: po-em. This is one of the many tricks of poetry you will learn.

You will be evaluated on participation and written work, which will consist of two short papers and weekly commentaries. In addition to reading aloud, you will also be asked occasionally to draw and exercise other artistic talents you may or may not possess. Attendance at one extra-curricular poetry reading will be required.

This course is designated as “W,” which will be met by two six-page papers (MLA) with a required revision.

Required Texts:

1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Tr. Simon Armitage (0393334155).
2. Nets. Jen Bervin (0972768432).
3. Orpheus & Eurydice. Gregory Orr (1556591519).
4. The Lichtenberg Figures. Ben Lerner (1556592116).
5. Howl. Allen Ginsberg (0872860175).
6. Lunch Poems. Frank O’Hara (0872860353).
7. The Blue Estuaries. Louise Bogan (0374524610).
8. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Samuel Taylor Coleridge (0146000811).
9. Some Common Weaknesses Illustrated. Carson Cistulli (0976951614).