Life of Poets

Robert Frost saw poetry in everyday choices and quiet landscapes: he turned snowy woods, country roads, and split-rail fences into reflections on life, doubt, and direction. In this class, students will read and discuss “The Road Not Taken,” then reflect on a moment in their own lives when they made a decision, big or small. They’ll map out two possible “roads,” imagining what might have happened had they chosen differently. Their final piece will be a short poem or story written in Frost’s spirit: grounded in nature, full of quiet emotion, and rich with meaning beneath the surface.

Edgar Allan Poe turned mystery, melancholy, and imagination into unforgettable stories and poems. He believed that language could stir deep emotions, and that every word mattered. In this class, students will explore the eerie rhythm and mood of one of Poe’s poems or short passages. They’ll learn how sound, repetition, and pacing build suspense, then experiment by writing their own spine-tingling story or poem. Through Poe, students will discover how writing can thrill, haunt, and mesmerize.

William Wordsworth believed that nature wasn’t just beautiful, but was deeply connected to our thoughts, emotions, and memories. For him, a quiet walk through the countryside could stir powerful feelings and lifelong reflections. In this class, students will explore one of Wordsworth’s poems about nature and discuss how specific places can shape the way we feel or think. Then, they’ll write their own reflective piece, be it poem or prose, about a place in nature that left an impression on them. They will learn to use descriptive language and personal memory to bring their experiences to life.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was one of America’s first beloved poets, known for his narrative style, musical language, and tales of courage and character. Whether recounting Paul Revere’s midnight ride or honoring the strength of the village blacksmith, Longfellow’s poems use steady meter and vivid storytelling to bring history and everyday life to life. In this class, students will explore the rhythm and rhyme of narrative poetry and practice writing their own heroic verse.

Emily Dickinson wrote hundreds of poems from her small upstairs bedroom, proving that great imagination doesn’t need grand adventure. She observed nature from her window, collected flowers in scrapbooks, and captured enormous thoughts in just a few quiet lines. In this class, students will explore one of Dickinson’s nature poems and reflect on how small things (like a single feather or leaf) can reveal big ideas. They’ll then choose a tiny object or moment from their own world and write a short poem that, like Dickinson’s, is both delicate and powerful.

William Blake saw the world with his eyes and with his imagination. A poet and painter, he believed that dreams, symbols, and spiritual visions were as real (and important!) as anything we could touch. In this class, students will dive into one of Blake’s illustrated poems, exploring how images and words together create meaning. Then, they’ll craft a short illustrated poem of their own, using metaphors and visual symbolism to express a deeper truth or feeling. Blake teaches us that writing can both describe the world and transform how we see it.

Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, used playful logic, nonsense rhymes, and invented words to stretch the boundaries of language and imagination. He believed that poetry could be both silly and profound, and that bending the rules sometimes helped us understand them better. In this class, students will explore some of Carroll’s most curious poems and riddles, then try their hand at writing a whimsical verse filled with wordplay, invented creatures, or topsy-turvy ideas. Through laughter and language, they’ll discover that nonsense can reveal surprising truths.

Maya Angelou’s poetry and autobiographical writing gave voice to the struggles, strength, and beauty of the human spirit. After reading selections from Angelou’s poetry and prose, students will reflect on moments in their own lives where they’ve shown strength. They will then craft a spoken-word piece, letter, or free verse poem that expresses their unique voice. Through her example, students will discover how words can uplift, connect, and carry courage forward.