Bones of the Poem: Crafting Detail and Depth with Sabina Khan-Ibarra

WEDNESDAYS, Jan. 8th - 29th | How do we create poetry that feels fully alive, like something readers can almost touch? In Bones of the Poem: Crafting Detail and Depth, we will explore the tools that make poems resonate on a visceral level—sensory detail, embodied language, and the physicality. This workshop is designed for poets who want to deepen their work by focusing on concrete imagery and the body as a way to give their poetry a pulse.

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Each session combines guided writing exercises, relevant poetry readings, and time for generative work.

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Students will read selected poetry in each class to see how others have used these techniques, and they’ll generate new work based on prompts I’ll provide. We’ll also share work in a supportive setting and discuss how each element—from line length to rhythm to descriptive detail—helps shape the poem’s meaning and emotional impact.

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During this class students will:

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• Develop skills to ground abstract ideas in concrete imagery, using the body as both a central subject and a lens.
• Practice layering sensory details to create immersive settings and strong emotional resonance.
• Learn to use line breaks, rhythm, and pacing to give poems a natural flow, mirroring the body’s breath.
• Generate new poems or revise existing ones with a focus on sensory detail, depth, and the physicality of language.
• Leave with practical tools and drafts that make their poetry feel tangible and deeply resonant.

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