Needham Community Education

Robert Frost is the poet most often identified with our region. This discussion-based course will use the book, After Frost: An Anthology of Poetry From New England, originally designed for discussion groups held in libraries. The aim of the volume is to reacquaint readers with New England’s beloved poet and to introduce them to thirty other regional poets who followed Frost in time, if not in style. The book is divided into four, themed sections which take, in some way, inspiration from a Frost poem. Each week, you will be asked to read the opening Frost poem as well as a smattering of the other poets. As we collaboratively discuss what we read, we will establish a new lexicon: words that teach us how to talk about and think about what a poem does on the page. If you say you don’t understand poetry this could be a gentle way to dip your toes in. If you wrote poetry in high school and then abandoned it, consider this course a welcome reintroduction. If you’ve always loved and read poetry, this will deepen your understanding and appreciation. Note: Students will need a copy of the book. Limited to 12.