Meaning, Connection, & Coherence: A Prose Poem Masterclass

Explore prose poetry from Arthur Rimbaud to Russell Edson, Jenny Boully, Sabrina Orah Mark, & beyond.

In this course, we will focus on prose poetry, meaning prose that draws from the extensive tradition, formal repertoire, and literary devices that readers associate with poetry.

Questions we will address include: How can the writer become aware of the expectations that readers bring to prose, and work to undermine these readerly expectations? What approaches to (and revisions of… and critiques of…) received narrative structures are possible within prose poetry? How can narrative conventions be revised and expanded, allowing for prose works that use imagery, the space of the page, and the sonic qualities of language to forge connections between ideas and events within a text? Finally, how do we create meaning within prose works, and what alternative modes of creating meaning, connection, and coherence within a literary work are possible?

We will also discuss strategies for structuring longer literary works that incorporate prose poems, focusing on ways of using prose poems to compliment (and complicate) other works within the sequence, chapbook, or book manuscript. Readings will include work by Rochelle Hurt, Thalia Field & Abigail Lang, Carol Guess, Kerri Webster, Joanna Ruocco, and other writers as determined by participant interests.

Masterclasses are an expanded version of our International Courses, with a much deeper consideration of technical craft and critical theory. These 12-week courses (maximum 12 places) are for advanced students only, and fluency with poetic language and ideas will be assumed. There are no live chats and they are suitable for UK and International students.

Concessions & Accessibility

To apply for a concession rate, please send relevant documentation showing your eligibility for one of our concessions to [email protected]. Conditions of eligibility are detailed here. If you have any questions or wish to be added to the waiting list of a sold-out course, please email [email protected].

What to Expect

Please check the left hand side of this page for information on how this course works in practice, under the heading ‘Course Style‘. If you’re unsure as to what any of the terms there mean, or if this course is a good fit for you, please visit our What to Expect page which includes some further information on how our courses function.

Image credit: @clintadair

About Kristina Marie Darling View Profile

Kristina Marie Darling is the author of over thirty books, which include recent releases from Bloomsbury, Persea, Dzanc, and Penguin Canada. A twice-awarded Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Darling was granted a five-year tenure as an expert consultant with the U.S. Fulbright Commission and now serves on the jury for Fulbright awards. Her work has also been recognized by Yaddo, where she has held multiple endowed residencies and served on the literature jury; the Villa Lena Foundation; the American Academy in Rome, where she has been awarded fifteen juried residencies and previously served as an ambassador for recruitment; Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris; the Ucross Foundation; Fundación Valparaíso; the Andorran Ministry of Culture; the American Academy in Berlin, where she was nominated for the Distinguished Visitor Fellowship; the European Law and Governance School; the Clews Foundation, where she will serve as faculty at their Chateau La Napoule Retreat Series in the south of France; and many other leading institutions in the U.S. and abroad. A prolific educator and public speaker, Dr. Darling has also lectured at the American University of Rome, Stanford University, Yale University, the Leysin American School in Switzerland, Columbia University in the City of New York, the New School, the University of Cyprus, the Prague Summer Program for Writers, the University of Zadar, the San Miguel Writers Conference & Literary Festival, and the Ionian Center for the Arts & Culture, where she is now permanent faculty. Born and raised in the American midwest, Dr. Darling now divides her time between Greece, Croatia, and Italy’s Amalfi coast.

"I'm writing better poems thanks to Poetry School."

- Autumn 2025 Survey Response

The Poetry School