The freewheeling and popular IAP course "Pleasures of Poetry" has taken on a life of its own. Presented by the Literature faculty and enhanced by volunteer participant-leaders, "Pleasures of Poetry" will meet twice each month this fall, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. in 14E-304.
Open to students, faculty and staff, the sessions offer readings, a brief lecture and enthusiastic discussion of memorable poems.
David Thorburn, professor of literature and MacVicar Faculty Fellow, said, "This series has been a mainstay of IAP for many years. We are expanding into the regular semester in response to a welcome surge of interest among MIT staff and students. Poetry is alive and well at MIT!"
Thorburn will lead the inaugual meeting of "Pleasures of Poetry" with a reading and discussion of "Fear," by C.K. Williams.
Upcoming poetry discussions are: Oct. 2, Li Po, Ezra Pound, H.D. and Gertrude Stein, led by Stephen Tapscott; Oct. 23, poems to be selected by Stephen Cramer; Nov. 6, "The Ballad of Hind Horn," led by Ruth Perry; Nov. 20, Chinese Poetry from Wang Wei to Mahler, led by Peter Perdue, and works by e.e. cummings, led by Anne Hudson, on Dec.4.
Hudson, an administrative assistant in the chemistry department, led a poetry session and participated in the course during IAP and spring term, 2002.
"It's been gratifying to see the participation of students, staff, and even students' spouses in this seminar," she said.
