The Power of Form:
Chaos and Order in Poems
Sunday, August 9th, 2026
Poetry • Online • 3pm–6pm ET
What exactly is form? Because of its mercurial quality, form has been described by poets in a variety of ways. Ellen Bryant Voigt, for example, thinks of form as a way of creating pattern among the poem’s materials. Robert Hass thinks of form as the way in which a poem “embodies the energy of the gesture of its making.”
In this three-hour class, bringing together Voigt’s sense of pattern and Hass’s sense of energy, we’ll consider form as the architecture of meaning for a poem. We’ll examine form as an entity that encompasses style and content, chaos and order, mystery and materiality.
Examining a gorgeous array of poems by Victoria Chang, Brigit Pegeen Kelly, Sylvia Plath, Arthur Sze, Yusef Komunyakaa, and others, we’ll see the ways in which form manifests technique and pathos for each poem.
Of course, the ideas and examples we discuss will be meant to bring new power and complexity to your own poems.
The workshop will include a mix of craft instruction, and class discussion. Keep in mind, there will be a break included, so you can have of time to eat a snack, stretch, etc.
Please note, this is a unique opportunity to attend a live workshop with Rick Barot. Space is limited.
For those interested in participating, you’re encouraged to enroll right away.
