- 2026
- MAY 1
- 6PM-8PM
Writing Ekphrastic Poetry
with Michael KleinREADING AND WRITING THE EKPHRASTIC POEM
An ekphrastic poem is concerned with looking at works of art (paintings, sculpture and even the movies) and describing what the poet sees and feels literally and/or figuratively. The most famous examples of this kind of poem may be Rilke’s “Archaic Torso of Apollo” and “Ode to a Grecian Urn” by John Keats. But there are many contemporary examples as well, from poets Anne Sexton, Monica Youn, Danez Smith, William Carlos Williams, Adrienne Rich, W.H. Auden, Ocean Vuong and others. In this workshop, we’ll read these kinds of poems and write our own poems based either on a favorite work of art or, if in a museum setting, based on a current exhibition. Space is limited.
- LOCATION: Portsmouth Arts Guild
- COST: Free and open to the public
- REGISTRATION: Required
Michael Klein
Michael Klein is a two-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for poetry and is the author of five books of poetry and two memoirs. His work has appeared in many publications, including POETRY, Tin House, The Paris Review, and Bennington Review. His newest book is “Happiness Ruined Everything: Essays” and he works as a consultant and editor for writers of poetry and memoir.