The collection delves into the historical injustices faced by those labeled as "witches," exploring the societal horrors inflicted upon them. It draws compelling parallels to contemporary issues of social justice, prompting readers to reflect on the ongoing relevance of these themes. Through a blend of insightful analysis and historical context, it encourages a deeper understanding of the impact of societal labels and the fight for justice.
This text serves as a resource for experienced poets, pushing beyond foundational techniques into more adventurous poetic traditions and experimentation. It explores the rich conversations shaping contemporary poetics, rooted in historical and theoretical frameworks. Emphasizing innovation and the breaking of established boundaries, it introduces the principles and contexts of various poetic forms through practical examples, encouraging readers to engage in their own writing. Covering a diverse array of poets from different eras and regions, it teaches how to read, edit, and write poetry. Topics include confessional and epistolary poetry, aesthetic experimentation with voice, methods from early Surrealists, ecopoetics, and ethnopoetics. The text also addresses writing about the body through queer theory and disability studies, docupoetics, racial imaginaries, digital poetics, community writing, and collaborative projects, as well as the revision process and assembling a collection or chapbook. Combining a comprehensive craft guide with an anthology that showcases the evolving possibilities of poetry, it examines how the art form has integrated traditional structures, borrowed from other disciplines, and created innovative new forms. Featuring close readings, writing prompts, interviews with key figures, and a companion website, this is an essential resource for poets eager to further their craft.