Barbaric Yawp

Barbaric Yawp: A Poetry Workshop

Project leaders: Dora Malech, Haley Thompson, and Danielle Wheeler
Age group: 8th graders
Saturdays, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
7 sessions: March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30 (final event directly following workshop on April 30)
Location: 430 North Clinton Street
(100 Shambaugh House, International Writing Program, University of Iowa) (map)

I too am not a bit tamed—I too am untranslatable;

I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.

—Walt Whitman

In the “untamed” spirit of Walt Whitman, this workshop created an inspiring and supportive environment for teenagers to explore their thoughts, emotions, experiences, and observations through poetry.  Poetry can be a way to express the seemingly inexpressible; using language in out-of-the-ordinary ways enabled participants to empower their own voices and selves, while being a part of an exciting creative community. Participants had the opportunity to experiment with lots of different poetic techniques and forms, taking inspiration from the poetry of the past and present. Each student had a poem included in a limited-edition chapbook printed and designed at the University of Iowa Center for the Book and received a copy of the published project, after participating in the bookbinding process. The workshop ended with a poetry reading and chapbook release party for family, friends, and the community on April 30. The chapbooks are now available at Prairie Lights Bookstore. This program was absolutely free to participants. Got questions?  Email theteam@iywp.org or call us at 319-804-9979.

—IYWP thanks its fantastic partners,The University of Iowa International Writing Program, The University of Iowa Center for the Book, and Prairie Lights Bookstore for making “Barbaric Yawp” a reality—