In this workshop, I will give a short presentation of my relationship to poetry and the concept of found poetry, after which there will be a series of prompts to help you create your own unique found poems.

Poems allow us to wander in our thoughts, approaching questions, inspirations, doubts from many angles without a fixed goal in mind. It’s not a binary system of rights and wrongs, but a collection of shades that change over time. A poem is always a personal journey—we understand each from where we are in life, and our relationship to each poem can evolve with our own growth.

You will leave the workshop with your own unique work, which is only made possible through the care of the others. Too often, people are hesitant about poetry because they feel like there’s some entry bar they need to pass. I want to open this work for you and to have you play with it. By having fun with poetry, you will get a greater understanding of what poetry can be for you. It will provide you with a new tool for thinking—whether it is a new way to write about your inner life, your relationships, or your career—or to express yourself better in wiring birthday cards, emails, or even text messages.

While an existing relationship to poetry is certainly welcome, you need no prior experience with writing or reading poetry to enjoy this workshop. Those that feel like “I don’t understand poetry” are especially welcome—this will provide you a personal way to engage with the form. This will be a safe space for us to experiment and co-create. All you need are openness and curiosity, and paper and pen, preferably thicker and dark, for legibility.

📝 Please bring Paper and Pen, preferably a dark pen!

About your host

Troels Steenholdt Heiredal (b. 1984) is an artist and architect, exploring the difference between seeing and perceiving. Through the concept of montage, he reconstructs everyday objects and scenes to call attention to the things we often take for granted, inviting audiences to critically reevaluate their relationship with their surroundings. He grew up in Toftlund, Denmark, and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Troels finds himself on the autistic spectrum.