355 Harris Ave.
Most of us first experienced poetry in primary or secondary school, and some of us may have felt intimidated or bored as we struggled to grasp the point of an inaccessible poem. This course offers a lively syllabus with appeal for both those who don’t like poetry—or think they don’t—and poetry aficionados.
We point out basic poetic techniques and terminology as we read poems spanning several centuries and continents. More than 40 notable poems are briefly “unpacked” as we savor each work’s significance in its historical or personal context. While highlighting the artistry of each poem’s form, from sonnet to blank verse, we also gossip a bit about the poets’ private lives, as well as relish the humor woven into works by the “greats,” from William Shakespeare to Billy Collins.
We present poems on screen as well as to the ear, and some via recordings by actors skilled at revealing the emotions, meaning and beauty of compressed language—which is the hallmark of this literary form.
Session 1: The instructor’s childhood favorites and English poets of the 17th century
Session 2: Familiar classic poems from William Wordsworth to D.H. Lawrence
Session 3: 20th century poetry, including WWI, Harlem Renaissance, the “Beats” and feminism
Instructor: Barbara Gobus
Barbara Gobus, M.A., English, has long advocated for the holistic study and enjoyment of literature, music and art. Born in England, she came to the U.S. by way of Australia. She taught at the Marlborough School for Girls in Los Angeles before retiring to Bellingham, where she has launched small groups to study literature, poetry and creative writing. She served as a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo and at Bellingham’s Lightcatcher Museum, and she has recorded poetry for the L.A. Braille Institute.
