Writing poetry through objects at Sir John Soane's Museum

This course, delivered by our neighbours at City Lit, will consider the curiosities and surprises revealed by objects.

Taking inspiration from the mass of objects in Sir John Soane’s Museum – including architectural models, sculptures, drawings, antiquities, and furniture – we will think through the resonance of objects, space, collecting, and memory in our own lives. What can objects tell us about people and places? How might attending to objects sensitise us to the physical world? Can writing about objects open up a sense of wonder and play?

What will we cover?

• Sensitively analyse and discuss a range of poetry focusing on objects and museums.
• Write poems inspired by objects in Sir John Soane’s Museum and your own life.
• Respond to the poetry of other participants in a constructive and respectful way.

What will I achieve?

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Confidently write poems about a range of objects.
• Use a variety of different poetic forms and techniques to express your ideas.
• Creatively and critically respond to representations of objects in contemporary poetry.

This is an intermediate course, suitable for those who have some experience in writing poetry, although any curious writer will be welcome to attend. Teaching will be a mix of tutor instruction, pair work, interactive writing exercises, and discussion of published texts.