Endangered Music: Formal Poetry in the 21st Century: an AWP panel

Annie Finch, Timothy Steele, Dean Kostos, Amanda Johnston, and moderator Larissa Shmailo present "Endangered Music: Formal Poetry in the 21st Century," a lecture at the 2016 Conference of the Association of Writers and Writers Programs.

Room 513
L.A. Convention Center
Meeting Room Level 1201
S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015

What are the consequences of what Brad Leithauser has termed the "metrical illiteracy" of contemporary poetry in the U.S.? Poetry readership here has diminished, in contrast to the vitality of poetry in countries where formal poetry is strong. Offering controversial views from a now minority aesthetic, panelists will discuss why basic knowledge of metrical analysis and prosody has waned and why accentual forms such as spoken word are popular. We will demonstrate the essential role of rhythm in poetry today and as a tool vital to understanding poetry of the past. Panelists will read their own contemporary formal poetry.

Event Date: 

Friday, April 1, 2016 - 3:30pm to 4:45pm