Think poetry is all daffodils and clouds and sparkling waves?
Think again.
Anyone wanting to dive deeply into the world of poetry is invited to take part in a new study group, The Poetry Wars.
"Not for the faint at heart, the poetic arts in Canada roil with snark and tendentious commentary," explains a press release from the Royal City Literary Arts Society. "What this study group will do is explore our literary environment (a.k.a. the poetry wars)."
The group will be led by Carol Shillibeer with a goal to enhance participants' fitness as both readers and writers of poetry.
The group will read poems, reviews, texts and commentary and discuss the readings at once-a-month study group meetings.
Online, there will be a closed group blog to enable participants to comment outside of meeting times and to post links and reading material.
The ultimate goal? "To understand; to be better poets," the release says.
The group is free - monetarily speaking, at least. But the release warns: "investment can also be in mental anguish and sweat. Expect both of the last two."
The Poetry Wars group will meet from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 in the backroom at the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St.
If you have questions about the group, readings or workload, email [email protected]. If you don't have any questions, you're welcome to just show up at the initial meeting.
