Starts: May 2022

(I can be flexible about this so long as it’s not before April 2022)

Day/Time – Possibly Monday mornings (I can be fairly flexible)

Ten Week Course

Venue – Ideally Ipswich but possibly Snape Maltings

Cost: £120

This ten-week course is aimed at members of Suffolk Poetry Society who want to read, write and discuss nature poems with a group of friendly, like-minded people. It’s suitable for poets of all levels, whether or not you’ve had work published. So long as you love poetry, enjoy sharing as a group and are open to trying new things, you’ll be very welcome.

Each week, we’ll all read the poem in advance and print out a copy. Try to think of a comment to make or a question to ask. During the session, everyone will write a short piece which can either be shared straight away or worked on before the next session.

On weeks five and ten, all participants can choose to read a published nature poem as well as one of their own pieces.

The course costs £120 for ten two-hour sessions (including a fifteen minute break)

If people text 07943 068033, I can text over my bank details. I can also accept cheques or Paypal. (If you’re using Paypal, please add an extra £3 to cover their charges).

To book a place or ask about the course, email suffolkwritersgroup@gmail.com.

Here is some of the lovely feedback I’ve received about previous poetry courses.

‘All I can say is thank goodness for lockdown. Without it I’d never have found this lovely group. Mai is great – I’ve learned so much in such a short length of time.’ – Sue Dale

‘Brilliant insightful course, rediscovering the beauty of language.’ – Ian Speed

‘It’s such a supportive group and Mai does such a great job in keeping us motivated.’ – Ian Hartley

Poems for discussion and inspiration

Week One – I Remember, I Remember by Thomas Hood

Week Two – Pied Beauty – Gerald Manley Hopkins

Week Three – Everybody Sang by Siegfried Sasoon

Week Four – Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening – Robert Frost

Week Five – Members’ Choice

Week Six – Emmonsail’s Heath in Winter by John Clare

Week Seven – Sunlight on the Garden by Louis McNeice

Week Eight – Home – Thoughts from Abroad by Robert Browning

Week Nine – Blackberry Picking by Seamus Heaney

Week Ten – Members’ Choice

All these poems can be found in this book. You will also be able to find them easily with an internet search. As well as reading the poem in advance, you may also like to do a bit of background research about the poem or poet.

To find out about me and other creative writing courses I run, visit my Suffolk Writers Group website by clicking here.