Very few successful poems are written completely, perfectly in one go. Most require editing or reworking. This workshop will look at techniques for editing a poem, whether it be minor adjustments or major rewriting.  

How we edit depends largely on what we think poetry is. Whatever else it may be, a poem requires an intensification of language. In a good poem, sound in all its dimensions, especially rhythm, combined with word choice and imagery move the poem forward, taking us deeper into emotions and letting us see the world in a new way. We can use these principles to guide our editing. 

In this workshop participants will practise editing a variety of rough drafts as well as discussing several published poems. Participants are also asked to bring along for discussion a short poem of their own that they feel is still at the editing stage.