Instructor Sarah Stern is the author of three poetry books: We Have Been Lucky in the Midst of Misfortune (Kelsay Books, Aldrich Press, 2018), But Today Is Different (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2014), and Another Word For Love (Finishing Line Press, 2011). Her newest book, Dear Letters In The Red Box, will be published by Kelsay Books and available in early 2026. She is a six-time winner of the Bronx Council on the Arts BRIO Poetry Award, a recipient of two Pushcart Prize nominations, and several Poets & Writers' Readings & Workshops Grants. Stern is an educator at Poets House in New York City. She graduated from Barnard College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. 

Learn more about Sarah in our Meet the Teaching Artist series. 

In this workshop, you will learn about some key forms of poetry and have the chance to work on your own. What are the rules of the Cento, Ghazel, Ekphrastic, Haibun, Haiku, and Sonnet? What makes a free verse poem? Can you create your own form?

Learn the rules and then break them in this interactive and supportive three-session workshop. Each week, you will study and read examples of different poetry forms and then write your own poems with prompts. You will have the opportunity to share your work and receive feedback.

Beginning, emerging, and seasoned poets are welcome. This workshop is meant for those looking for an encouraging community of writers who wish to take their writing to the next level.

Our course reading will include an inclusive range of contemporary and modern poets from various countries, ethnicities, and genders.

Each class will include a packet, which will have a description of the form, its history, examples of poems that incorporate the form, and prompts. 

Each class will include free-writing time, usually about 15-20 minutes, with time for sharing work.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Introduction as well as time for students to introduce themselves and their relation to poetry. A discussion of the Cento and time for writing prompts.

Week 2: A discussion of the Ghazel and time for writing prompts. 

Week 3: A discussion of the Ekphrastic and writing time. As noted, each class will focus on a form. Some class may include two forms if the forms are so closely relelated, such as the Haiku and Haibun.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Students will learn the rules of some key forms of poetry, while also being encouraged to break the rules of the form and push its bounderies.
• Students will also come away with a sense of the history of the various forms. Many of the forms are centuries old with rich histories that reflect the countries they originated in and also traveled through.
• Students will come away with new poems of their own that not only incorporate the forms, but include their own interpretation of them.
• Students willl be exposed to a range of comtemporary poems that incorporate these forms, but also break the forms rules.
• As a result of fostering a supportive and encouraging workshop, I hope students will come away with a new confidence to take chances in their own work.

TESTIMONIALS:

“Sarah’s Poetry Forms I and II workshops were pure delight. I learned so much and enjoyed the variety of Forms and resources offered. With her warmth, humour and knowledge Sarah’s skilled facilitation and teaching style seemed to bring out the best in everyone. Sarah created a safe container for all of us to have fun while exploring new ways of writing and deepening our poetry. Thank you so much Sarah .“ –Linda P. Thayer

“I really enjoyed my time in Sarah’s workshop. I love the poems that she picked for discussion. She created such a comfortable environment for all of us. I felt totally at ease participating and reading my poem, which I might not have done under other circumstances. Her workshop was very energizing!” –Elizabeth Schwebel Wind

“It has been tremendously helpful working with Sarah. Her workshops are such a boost to my creativity and my writing. She’s got a keen sense of how to improve a piece and how to help bring out a writer’s voice. I recommend her workshops highly.” –Val Ciptak Viera

“Sarah Stern is a gifted poet, an inspiring teacher, and a talented communicator. A student of her poetry class, I gained a new appreciation of the art form, improved my writing skills, and came away with four original poems. Sarah is one of those rare individuals who can excel at a craft and teach it as well. Sarah is a total pro—professional, warm and a joy to work with.” –Teri Scheinzeit

“Sarah’s teaching and prompting make for such a safe place where we can all find our voice.” –Ruth Obernbreit

“Sarah Stern is a fantastic teacher. I so enjoy studying and writing poetry under her guidance.” –Marie Fochios

“What a wonderful experience this has been, being a student in Sarah’s poetry workshop. I’ve written poetry most of my life, but Sarah inspires poetry that has taken me down new paths. She creates an environment that is safe and encourages daring. She balances the study of other poets with discussing our own poems and making them better. Last but not insignificant is the fact that she is a delightful and supportive person. I look forward to her next workshop.” –Ellen Azorin

"Sarah Stern’s workshops stretched me as a poet—I gained insight into poetry forms, wrote new poems from her prompts, and strengthened those I’ve already written. Sarah creates a comfortable environment making it possible to challenge yourself to become a better poet." –Judith Rosner

“I appreciate Sarah Stern’s workshop so much. I have never written so freely and fearlessly in my life, and that has a lot to do with the environment she cultivates with her teaching.”–Jeannie Wong

"When I signed up for the 'Poetry and Its Forms' workshop offered by the Poets House, I did so with a bit of trepidation. I’m not a professional writer, have no interest in being a professional writer, I was just looking for an opportunity to learn more about poetry as a form of self expression, without judgment or criticism. Sarah Stern quickly quelled my fears. Right from the start she set a welcoming tone. Educated us on the technicalities of poetry forms, encouraged us to follow the 'rules' – and then break them, if it helped us create better poetry. She gently nudged us to revise our poetry [in the sense of re-vision…. what can we discover if we make some changes] and applauded our efforts. Sarah developed a community of poets from the first session. A community that included professional (even published!) writers looking to hone their craft and complete newbie dabblers like me. No matter what else was happening in my life that was disrupting my normal schedule or routines, I found joy, meaning and inspiration in the workshop led by Sarah, the writing that I did for it, and the poems I heard from other students. I look forward to opportunities to participate in other workshops facilitated by Sarah." –Judy Keenan

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE: