Whatever happened to spontaneity? To calling a friend and saying "let's meet for coffee in the afternoon"? Why does everyone need a two-week advance notice to sit for a chat and a drink? I have friends who need to make an appointment, send email, back and forth about dates and times, until it really doesn't matter anymore whether I see them or not. If it is that big a problem that requires major negotiations, I must not be that important. I have friends who are always busy. Busy with what? Not even an hour to renew our friendship? Really?
I remember when I'd ring a doorbell and my friend would come out and I'd ask "do you want to play?" Or I'd yell from the street her name and she'd come to the window to see what was going on. And we'd walk over to the park or go for a stroll.
Is everything now preplanned? preprogrammed? Must everything be? If I wake up one morning and want to see someone, I should be able to call them and they should be able to say yes or no but not send emails and offer possible dates and on and on...geez...I must be getting old.
Nostalgia for the old days overcomes me sometimes. I miss my friends who are no longer alive but were always ready for a cup of coffee and conversation. I miss my friends who were always available, ready and willing.
I find myself spending a large chunk of time alone: eating, walking, writing, watching movies when I'd rather do those things with a friend, or two. Do I need new friends? I like the ones I have. I just wish they had a little time for me.
Cost and Registration Information
Early Registration Price (January 9 at 10 am – January 26 at 4 pm): $250
Regular Registration Price (January 26 at 4 pm – first day of class): $275
Regular Registration Price (January 26 at 4 pm – first day of class): $275
Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.
Excuse our dust!
Beginning January 2018 the Newberry will be undertaking renovation of much of the first floor. The Adult Education Seminars Program will still have use of the basement classrooms, but please check this link frequently for the latest conditions - which exterior doors are open or closed, where to find an accessible entrance, which restrooms are available, etc.
Because of the renovation, the Newberry Bookstore will be closed during the Winter/Spring and Summer 2018 terms. As such, seminar participants will be responsible for acquiring all required texts for their seminars on their own. We apologize sincerely for the inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding. We have put together a list of helpful resources that should make it easy to find the books you need.
Seminar Description
Like any form of art, poetry requires practice. It needs curiosity, determination, a willingness to learn from others, and an open mind. In this workshop we will learn from published poets and each other. Writing is a solitary act but working with others helps us master the elements of language—to feel the line, the image, the metaphor, the play of sound. Eight sessions.
Beatriz Badikian-Gartler has been teaching writing and literature for over thirty years in the Chicago area and elsewhere. She’s the author of two poetry volumes, a novel, and numerous essays and reviews.