Myths of African, Asian, Greek, and Roman origin are embedded in World literature, not only as metaphor and moral, but as a measure of humanity’s intrinsic faults or heroism. This workshop will explore timeless myths as a means to discuss modern political, social and spiritual issues through poetry. Poets might consider the risk of flying too high or the folly of flying too low with Icarus. Poets might ask T’ao Ch’ien to lead the residents of Ferguson to the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring. What might happen if the Ngoma (spirit) of the murdered sought justice or Narcissus flowers took selfie sticks to the water’s edge? Workshop participants will mine both well-known and obscure myth for fresh images, new strategies for form, structure, musicality, and theme.

Antoinette Brim, author of Icarus in Love and Psalm of the Sunflower, is a Cave Canem Foundation fellow, a recipient of the Walker Foundation Scholarship to the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her poetry, memoir and critical work have appeared in various anthologies, journals and magazines. She is Assistant Professor of English at Capital Community College and has conducted poetry workshops for the Mark Twain House, Women Writers in Bloom, Hartford Loves Poetry and other organizations.