Schedule: Two Thursdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3

Time: 2:00-3:30pm

Tuition: $15 before Oct. 20, $20 after (scholarships available)

Location: University Presbyterian Church

No wonder that Mary Oliver was one of the most beloved poets of our time: we readers find rich sustenance in her work. Oliver has said that she “was saved by the beauty of the world” and for her the important world is the world of nature—sunflowers, bears, snakes, whales, ponds, vultures. Her natural world is full, “harsh and exciting,” not prettified, a world of predator and prey, birth and death. Her poetry is spiritual, rather than psychological.

For the first class we will talk about some well-loved Oliver poems; for the second week students will pick a few of their favorites to explore. And kudos to any student inspired to write a poem inspired by Mary Oliver’s work. Every serious writer is a serious reader.

Bonnie Lyons retired in May 2014 with emeritus status from the University of Texas in San Antonio faculty. During her long academic career, she won university-wide teaching awards as well as awards for research and creativity.  She has published a book about Henry Roth, a book of interviews with fiction writers, two full-length books of poetry and three chapbooks. Her most recent book is WOW: Wonderful Old Women, a book of interviews with San Antonio women over 80.

Register here.