CRW 3311 - Spring 2026 - Patterson

What can a poem do? In this course, we will challenge our conceptions of lyric poetry, embrace experimentation, and aim for a more precise and developed voice. We will read, write, and have conversations in a low-stakes, creative environment, cultivating our personal interests and surprising ourselves with lyric possibility. Activities will include generative writing, revision, discussion of poems and craft essays, workshops, and a dip into the world of literary magazines and journals. Together, we’ll explore the sheer range of what a lyric poem can be, and who you can be as a poet. Bring your questions, curiosities, and obsessions. Writers of all experience are welcome.