Instructor: Joyce Brinkman
Join Indiana Poet Laureate Emerita for a discussion and writing workshop using her new book of Elizabeth Barrett Browning poems in the Literary Portals to Pray series. Discussion will focus on three Browning poems and their accompanying scriptures from the modern, and plain-spoken translation of “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson. Besides the ability of these selections to be portals to prayer, they also serve as interesting portals to discussion on topics of importance in Barrett-Browning’s time and ones which she courageously championed through her poetry. Her poetry and life have much to say about women’s rights, social responsibility, and the necessity of writing. These and her position on slavery all have implications for writers in our time.  Whether you have a strong religious practice or none, these readings and discussions will spark thoughts about issues of the day in a cordial atmosphere. After serving as portals to discussion, the readings will be used as springboards to a courageous poem or two of our own, either in class or later on your own.

Registration fee includes a copy of the book to take home. The limit on attendance for this class is 12, so register early.