Gleeful Ghazals with Donald Levering: April 26, 10 am - 3 pm
In-person class at Jules’ Poetry Playhouse with Donald Levering
Saturday, April 26, 2025 .
10 am - 3 pm
(includes lunch break)
Originally from 7th century CE Arabic culture, the ghazal came to contemporary American English poetry through Persia and India, Goethe and Lorca. Among notable US poets who have written ghazals are Martha Collins, John Hollander, Claudia Castro Luna, W. S. Merwin, Adrienne Rich, and Tracy Smith.
The form has an inherit lightness and charm that is apt for love and nature poetry, yet it has been employed to address metaphysical questions and such somber subjects as species devastation and political corruption. It encourages a nimbleness of mind to variously circle around a subject and maintain the unusual placement of the rhymes.
In this workshop we will briefly look at the form’s history, identify its elements and stylistic traditions, and examine several ghazals of diverse voices and approaches. We will practice writing ghazals by building them in a structured manner, concluding with a class ghazal. Students will be given a packet of ghazals for further study.
In-person class at Jules’ Poetry Playhouse with Donald Levering
Saturday, April 26, 2025 .
10 am - 3 pm
(includes lunch break)
Originally from 7th century CE Arabic culture, the ghazal came to contemporary American English poetry through Persia and India, Goethe and Lorca. Among notable US poets who have written ghazals are Martha Collins, John Hollander, Claudia Castro Luna, W. S. Merwin, Adrienne Rich, and Tracy Smith.
The form has an inherit lightness and charm that is apt for love and nature poetry, yet it has been employed to address metaphysical questions and such somber subjects as species devastation and political corruption. It encourages a nimbleness of mind to variously circle around a subject and maintain the unusual placement of the rhymes.
In this workshop we will briefly look at the form’s history, identify its elements and stylistic traditions, and examine several ghazals of diverse voices and approaches. We will practice writing ghazals by building them in a structured manner, concluding with a class ghazal. Students will be given a packet of ghazals for further study.
In-person class at Jules’ Poetry Playhouse with Donald Levering
Saturday, April 26, 2025 .
10 am - 3 pm
(includes lunch break)
Originally from 7th century CE Arabic culture, the ghazal came to contemporary American English poetry through Persia and India, Goethe and Lorca. Among notable US poets who have written ghazals are Martha Collins, John Hollander, Claudia Castro Luna, W. S. Merwin, Adrienne Rich, and Tracy Smith.
The form has an inherit lightness and charm that is apt for love and nature poetry, yet it has been employed to address metaphysical questions and such somber subjects as species devastation and political corruption. It encourages a nimbleness of mind to variously circle around a subject and maintain the unusual placement of the rhymes.
In this workshop we will briefly look at the form’s history, identify its elements and stylistic traditions, and examine several ghazals of diverse voices and approaches. We will practice writing ghazals by building them in a structured manner, concluding with a class ghazal. Students will be given a packet of ghazals for further study.
Class limit 10 students.
Lunch break at noon. Bring your own lunch if desired. Plentiful snacks and beverages provided (coffee, tea, water). Ample time to explore the grounds of Jules’ Poetry Playhouse and walk the labyrinth. Nearby grocery and Placitas Pizza if desired for lunch options.
Bring writing materials, free wi-fi if needed.
Hosted by Jules Nyquist and John Roche.
Author books will be for sale, along with Poetry Playhouse Publications books and art.
Directions and contact info sent with registration. Questions? Email jules@poetryplayhouse.com.
Your instructor:
Born in Kansas City and raised there and in New York, former NEA Fellow Donald Levering has worked as a teacher on the Diné reservation, groundskeeper, and human services administrator. Among his recent honors are the Carve Poetry Contest Award, the Tor House Robinson Jeffers Prize, and the Literal Latté Prize. His 16th poetry book, Breaking Down Familiar, placed 2nd in the National Federation of Press Women Creative Verse contest. Garrison Keillor featured his work in a “Writer’s Almanac” podcast. His poems have appeared in over 300 journals, including Beloit Poetry, Bloomsbury Review, Hiram Poetry Review, Hollins Critic, Midwest Quarterly, Notre Dame Review, Poet & Critic, Poet Lore, Valparaiso Review, and Verse Daily. He lives in Santa Fe, where he conducts poetry craft workshops and volunteers as a US citizenship tutor and as a Kitchen Angels driver. He co-curates with Barbara Rockman the poetry reading series at HERE Gallery.
Jules’ Poetry Playhouse is at 11 Homestead Lane, Placitas, NM. Directions sent upon registration. No refunds; however, you may apply the fee to another class or merchandise if you need to cancel.
