Writing Occasional Poems

As a writer, you can make the perfect splash at a birthday, wedding, or other event with a poem specially written for the occasion. Come with an occasion in mind (it can be made up!) and learn what makes these poems different from poems we write for ourselves, how to craft one, and what this ancient use for poetry -- as a toast or celebration -- can teach us in the rest of our writing. Students will leave this class with a first draft of a poem written for the occasion of their choice. Poems aren't just for literary journals, they're for real life!