In Praise of the Praise Poem with JP Howard

In Praise of The Praise Poem with JP Howard

In this generative workshop, we will explore the praise poem, using multiple prompts to reimagine how to praise objects, people, emotions, art, poetry and of course ourselves. Questions explored as we work our way into these praise poems include: How is the personal political? How can we successfully weave our complicated pasts into these poems? What kind of poetic forms can we use to create praise poems? We will write a variety of praise poems, which may include narrative poems, memoir-themed political poems and syllabic verse. If possible, participants are encouraged to bring 2 to 3 photos of significance to them (these can be family photos or photos of a person or people that have or had significance to the participant) and bring 2 to 3 photos of family memorabilia and/or photos of objects of significance to the participant. NOTE: either actual photos or photos on a tablet/smart phone are acceptable. Some poets whose work we will read and discuss include Elizabeth Alexander, Lucille Clifton, Martin Espada, Nate Marshall, Joy Harjo, Audre Lorde, t’ai freedom ford and Angel Nafis.

JP Howard’s debut poetry collection, SAY/MIRROR (The Operating System), was a Lambda Literary finalist. She is also the author of bury your love poems here (Belladonna*) and co-editor of Sinister Wisdom Journal Black Lesbians–We Are the Revolution! (2018). JP is a 2019-2020 featured author in Lambda Literary’s LGBTQ Writers in Schools program and a 2019 Brooklyn Arts Council Community Arts Fund Grant recipient. She was a 2017 Split this Rock Freedom Plow Award for Poetry & Activism finalist and is featured in the Lesbian Poet Trading Card Series from Headmistress Press. JP was the recipient of a Lambda Literary Judith A. Markowitz Emerging Writer Award and has received fellowships and grants from Cave Canem, VONA, Lambda, Astraea and Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC). JP curates Women Writers in Bloom Poetry Salon, a NY-based forum offering all writers, but especially women, a monthly venue to collaborate. JP is the Editor-at-Large at Mom Egg Review online and is currently on the faculty of Brooklyn Poets. Her poetry and essays have appeared or are forthcoming in Academy of American Poets, Anomaly, Apogee Journal, The Feminist Wire, Split this Rock, Muzzle Magazine, and The Best American Poetry Blog. Her poetry is widely anthologized. JP holds a BA from Barnard College, an MFA in Creative Writing from The City College of New York and a JD from Brooklyn Law School. Visit JP online at: http://www.jp-howard.com

Tickets for this 4-hour intensive are $124. Please register at
https://www.writerscenter.org/calendar/praise-poem/

NYC writers: the HVWC is located at the Philipse Manor (Metro North) RR station — a short, scenic ride up the Hudson line. No car needed! Join us!