Lincoln Council for the Arts hosts new poetry workshop

Beginning in February, the Lincoln Council for the Arts will host a poetry workshop at the Lincoln Branch of the Lewis & Clark Library on Monday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The workshop, The Art and Craft of Writing Poetry, will be presented by published and award-winning poet, Liz Cain. Cain's specialty is teaching the writing of non-rhyming, literary poetry. She has won awards in writing contests for her poetry and is a retired English teacher of 31 years.

The program is for those who enjoy listening to, discussing the elements, styles and revelations of good poetry, as well as for those who are already writing poetry of their own. It's meant to be an open and creative learning experience and way to delve into the art form with a new understanding and appreciation. The workshop will stress the writing of modern poetry, some classical styles, and some experimental styles.

For the first class, Cain asks that everyone bring an example of poetry they like to read. During the first hour, poems will be discussed, then she will provide prompts as a launching point to get the writing started.

One of Cain's goals with the workshops is to dispel some of the misconceptions about poetry such as poetry needing to rhyme, having to be a specific length or be written in big fancy words. Rhyming poetry will be touched on but not encouraged for beginning poets, who are often hampered by thinking that poems have to rhyme.

"Writing poetry gives you a natural high through solving the puzzle and how to place words to create ideas so the reader can understand it," she said, adding, "There is a craft in writing good poetry, in trying out the elements that work best."

Some of the elements that help create the puzzle are rhythm, conciseness, point of view, imagery, metaphor, symbolism, purposeful repetition, syntax, unusual word combinations, and lines that people will remember, Cain explained.

"Of all the great poetry I've read, I'll never forget this line written by Nikki Snyder when she was in the seventh grade: as we reach the fall's edge, we speak our loves and sorrows." she said.

The poetry workshop is free of charge, although donations are welcomed, and open to anyone who would like to participate. For more information and to reserve your space for the class, please contact Liz at 406-362-4743 or visit her website at: http://www.elizabethcainauthor.com.