Words as amber: Capturing life in poetry

Summary

In this engaging conversation, poet and MIT professor Joshua Bennett reflects on his lifelong journey with writing and the power of poetry to capture life's beauty and foster community. He emphasizes the importance of emotional exploration and self-love in creative expression, while students share their experiences of reconnecting with poetry. Bennett's innovative teaching approach encourages adaptations of literary works, revealing the fluidity of artistic expression. Through collaboration and shared experiences, both he and his students celebrate the transformative nature of poetry, highlighting its role in understanding and navigating human emotions.

Takeaways

• 📝 Joshua Bennett has been a writer since the age of 4, influenced by his musical family of ministers and artists.
• 🌟 He sees poetry as a means to capture moments of astonishment and preserve historical memories.
• 🎓 As a professor at MIT, Bennett uses literary arts to foster community and celebrate life among his students.
• 📖 His classes involve reading poetry, essays, and fiction, along with listening to music and watching films to inspire writing.
• 🤔 Students express a deep emotional openness, demonstrating respect and delight in poetry despite not all identifying as poets.
• 💡 Writing allows students to challenge their beliefs and gain new perspectives through self-exploration.
• 🎨 Bennett encourages creative adaptations of poetry into various forms, such as visual art and music, to enhance student engagement.
• 🎶 One student created a music album inspired by a poem, showcasing the interconnectedness of art forms.
• 🌍 Students appreciate the collaborative aspect of writing, recognizing it as a community practice rather than a solitary endeavor.
• ✨ Bennett finds inspiration in his students' creative projects, which remind him of the courage needed in artistic expression.

Q & A

What is Joshua Bennett's background in writing?

Joshua Bennett has been a writer since the age of four, focusing on poetry and improvised sermons. He comes from a musical family with a history of ministers, deacons, vocalists, and instrumentalists.

What themes does Bennett explore in his poetry?

Bennett explores themes of survival, self-love, grief, and the preservation of history and beauty through moments of astonishment.

How does Bennett view the act of writing poetry?

He sees writing poetry as a discovery process, where the surprise in a poem is part of the work, emphasizing that good poems often do not reveal their endings upfront.

What is the focus of Bennett's teaching philosophy?

Bennett's teaching philosophy focuses on using literary arts as a means to bring people together and celebrate life, fostering a collaborative classroom environment.

What types of courses does Bennett teach at MIT?

He teaches courses such as 'Reading Poetry: Social Poetics' and 'Writing and Reading Poems: Nature Poetry,' the latter being a workshop format.

How do Bennett's students engage with poetry?

Students engage with poetry by reading various works, listening to music, watching films, and writing poems inspired by shared prompts, emphasizing community and emotional openness.

What innovative projects have Bennett's students completed?

Students have created diverse adaptations of literary works, such as visual art collages, musical albums, and short stories inspired by poems.

What does Bennett appreciate about his students' perspectives?

Bennett appreciates the emotional openness of his students and the insights they provide about being young today, highlighting their diverse backgrounds as artists and scientists.

How does Bennett incorporate other disciplines into his poetry classes?

He encourages students from various fields—like engineering and biology—to apply their skills and imagination to poetry, bridging the gap between technical disciplines and the arts.

What does Bennett believe about writing as a practice?

Bennett believes that writing, while often seen as a solitary endeavor, is fundamentally a community practice that allows for collective exploration and expression.