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How can we make more space for poetry among all the pressing demands of daily life? Why would we want to? And if we did, what creative magic might happen?
The Poetry Habit introduces you to the transformative effects of a daily poetry prescription. We explore innovative ways to read, write, learn and share poetry, placing particular emphasis on cultivating everyday habits that inspire joy, deepen meaning and build creativity.
This course will reward anyone who wants to bring more wonder and connection into their daily life. It is designed to reward both those who are completely new to poetry and to bring fresh inspiration to more experienced poetry readers and writers. All that matters is to come with an open heart and mind.
In collaboration with The Poetry Pharmacy
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Week 1: Poetry Is Not A Luxury
The first session will explore ideas about why poetry matters and how it can help us navigate uncertain times. We’ll learn how to adopt a beginner’s mindset, discover new voices, broaden our tastes, and experiment with different ways of reading a poem.
Week 2: Tattoos on the Heart
This week we'll focus on listening to poetry and on learning poems by heart. We'll dip into the slam scene, exploring different styles of performance poetry and consider ways of borrowing creative inspiration from others.
Week 3: Everyday Matters
Our third session will be about finding magic in the mundane and fortifying ourselves with small moments of beauty: noticing the sunlight as it falls across a wooden floor or the sound of water as it's poured into a teapot, appreciating the small kindnesses in a waiting room or tiny epiphanies that can happen in the supermarket.
Week 4: Finding The Words
The fourth session will focus on developing habits and practices for doing something creative every day. We’ll explore the challenges of working in imperfect conditions, defying inner critics, seeing and growing what’s good, and persevering with creative habits even when we feel like giving up.
Week 5: Sharing the Joy
The final session is a collective celebration. We’ll share the fruits of our new habits, and marvel at just how many different ways our group have found to bring more poetry into both our own and others’ daily lives.
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The course runs on Zoom over five Tuesday evenings (18.30-20.30 GMT). Before each session you will be emailed with instructions for accessing the meeting.
This is a participatory course and you will be asked to take a supportive interest in other people’s creative development. For those who wish there will also be an opportunity to share poetry and build community in between sessions.
Tickets are valid for the full course even if you cannot attend all dates. No partial course ticket is available.
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"Brilliantly structured, thought provoking, mind expanding and playful"
"Emboldening and inspiring, an invitation to playfulness and wonder"
"A rich and varied feast of poetic nourishment"
"Enough food for the soul to last me years"
" It made my heart so full, inspired me, lifted me, held me and encouraged me"
"A glorious introduction to poetry without pretension"
"Safe, comforting, welcoming and encouraging. It's the best course I've ever done"
“Sophie quietly and effortlessly dazzles, twinkles and shines.”
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My aim is to offer you a well planned and supportive learning experience for the lowest possible feee.
I offer three bursary places on every course I run. You are welcome to contact me here to request one.