What was your primary motivation for purchasing this course?
Learn a new skill
“I have never seen the point of poetry but my daughter persuaded me to try this course. Carol Ann Duffy is a joy to watch and I have learned so much from her, especially how to understand why writers choose to express themselves in this way. In my own attempts prompted by Carol Ann Duffy I have found poetry to be a profoundly honest medium (which I hadn't expected). I can now read the work of poets and have a better ability to seek out their truths. I do not know if I will write poetry without 'being told to'. I'm almost afraid of what I may discover. But I am very grateful to Carol Ann Duffy for this introduction to a whole new world of ideas. I wish I was eighty years younger!”
What was your primary motivation for purchasing this course?
Learn a new skill
“I'm still hoping to hear some insights regarding the forms of poetry but the current focus on sources of inspiration has me waking up in the night to jot down ideas and themes for future poems. Of course some of her examples of where inspiration may come from hit home more than others but who knows if I'll find myself returning to some of the less familiar topics at some point.”
What was your primary motivation for purchasing this course?
Pursue a hobby
“Embarking on this course illuminated a profound truth: I am not merely a writer; I am a poet. Long-form prose does not captivate me; instead, the brevity and depth of poetry resonate within. In retirement, I have wandered through lectures on novel writing and screenplays, feeling adrift. Yet, within this course, I found my true calling.
Barely halfway through the lessons, inspiration struck, rekindling my two-decade-long dalliance with haiku. Two quotes, highlighted by Carol Ann Duffy, ignited this creative spark:
1. “All memory is imagination.” — James Joyce
2. “Inspiration will find you, but only if you’re working.” — Pablo Picasso
In Carol Ann Duffy, I discovered a mentor whose insights felt like home. Her guidance reaffirmed my identity as a poet.
One suggestion for future courses: display the poems as they are read. The visual structure—the form and shape—is integral to experiencing poetry fully. Often, I resorted to capturing fleeting glimpses (i.e., screen captures) of poems to appreciate their visual essence. Seeing the poem itself, rather than just the book cover, for example, enriches the experience.
Interestingly, I navigated the lessons non-sequentially, driven by personal interest—a self-guided journey. This approach, however, seemed unrecognized by the app, which didn’t reflect my engagement with each lesson.
Nonetheless, this course has been a revelation, leading me to the joyous realization of my true self: a poet.”
What was your primary motivation for purchasing this course?
Learn a new skill, Pursue a hobby
“Thank you for this thoughtful and engaging course. I found it inspiring as well as informative, and I’ve started reading and writing poetry on a regular basis because of it.”
