The Poetry of Hope: Inspiration for Tomorrow
4-weeks (first 4) | This course is completed
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul..." Emily Dickenson sent that classic image to us. Many poets present other images of hope, a quality we all want, need, and seek. In this course, we will explore visions of hope from Mary Oliver, Jane Hirshfield, Pablo Neruda, Wendell Berry and more. Here, you'll find inspiration from accessible works and perhaps come away with the hopeful outlook of Poet Laureate Stanley Kunitz who wrote at ninety, "I can scarcely wait till tomorrow, when my new life will begin, as it does every day...."
This course will be comprised of lecture and discussion. All readings will be distributed by email to participants a week before each class. Everyone is encouraged to bring a print or digital copy to every session.
Marcy Dolan
Marcy Heidish-Dolan is an award-winning author of 18 published books: poetry, fiction and nonfiction. She is a recipient of a Schubert Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. A Vassar College honors graduate, Marcy has taught creative writing and English Literature at Georgetown, George Washington, and Fordham Universities. For almost twenty years she was a regular weekly volunteer at a local shelter for homeless women. Marcy and her husband are long-time residents of Washington, D.C.
Rob Cohen
Rob Cohen is a retired technologist/farmer committed to practicing a sustainable lifestyle. He continues to work part time as a technology consultant focused on helping non-profit organizations leverage technology.