Writing the Blue Note
Session 6 | August 24–30
Ciona Rouse. Photo by Travis Commeau.
In jazz and the blues, "the blue note"—a series of no-note notes or the variations of a note—strikes an emotional chord never replicated in predictive measure. Poet Yusef Komunyakaa refers to the poet's work as working towards a blue note, as well: ". . . we’re not forcing [a poem] into a preconceived mold. We are willing to be surprised and consequently, that mold is elastic." In this workshop, we will seek out and celebrate the blue note in various poems (both in free verse and form), and write/revise our work to more surprising, elastic, even reckless places. The workshop is generative, but you are encouraged to bring unfinished drafts, lines, or ideas, as well. All levels welcome.
Ciona Rouse (she/her) is a poet and educator. She is the author of the chapbook Vantablack (Third Man Books, 2017). Her poetry is featured in poets.org, The Slowdown, Oxford American, wildness, and on NPR’s Turning the Tables. She has been a visiting writer at Vanderbilt and Sewanee: The University of the South, guest co-curator of the Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick exhibition, originating at Frist Art Museum (2020). Rouse lives in Nashville, TN where she is opening a poetry-centric bookstore/bar.