Free Poetry Workshop

Fun Interview

I think you might find this interview on Neon Pajamas entertaining.

New Poetry Workshop Starts in Two Days

I'm teaching a poetry workshop for UCLA Extension Writers' Program, started this Wednesday (April 4th).

Course Description

For those with some previous training in poetry, this intermediate workshop focuses on creating work which emphasizes lyrical and innovative language, personal insight, and individual voice. In addition, you refine your knowledge of a number of the craft's formal elements, including structure, imagery, metaphor, and pace, in order to stretch the boundaries of your creative experience. The goal is to produce work which is ambitious and resonant.

Course Outline

Refine your knowledge of poetry while expanding your craft techniques in this workshop for writers with previous experience writing poems. 

 

There's still time to join, just click here.

 

 

Seven Grand LA Friday Night Flights: Words, Whiskey & Chocolates

I'm reading at really cool bar this Friday night.
Take a look ...

Friday, February 16th, 6-9pm
Seven Grand LA Friday Night Flights: Words, Whiskey & Chocolates

For those of you who might need a little heart-soothing around Valentine’s Day - and even those lucky enough to have love, we are offering a special Friday Night Flight with a Chocolate pairing and live poetry featuring local poets Rick Bursky and Becky Fink. 

The Ococoa chocolate makers will be in the house too, don't miss this one! 
For $39, we will taste: Hakushu 12, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, and Lagavulin Distillers Edition

RSVP

 

My Eight Stages of Writing a Poem

This was a guest post I did for Martin Ott's very cool blog. How I write a poem. Simply click here.

Mirrors, an essay on Agni's blog.

I have a very short essay about mirrors on Agni's blog. You've probably been thinking a lot about mirrors so take a look. Just click here.

Reading at the 24th Annual Writer's Program Publication Party

On Wednesday, June 7th, I'm reading at the 24th Annual Writer's Program Publication Party, at the Skirlball Cultural Center.  There will be many wonderful writers reading their work.  You can get some of the details here.

Clowns

An essay I wrote is up on Agni's blog. Click here to check it out.

Teaching a Poetry Class

I'm teaching another poetry class for UCLA Extension Writer's Program. It starts in Sept, on Wednesday nights. I hope to see you there. I promise it won't be boring.

Here's a link: https://www.uclaextension.edu/pages/Course.aspx?Reg=268639

Reading at the LA Times Festival of Books

If you're going to be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this weekend I'm reading on the Poetry Stage, Sunday, at 1:30. I promise I won't be boring.

Book Review

Take a look at t review of I'm No Longer Troubled By The Extravagance right here.

North American Review

A piece I wrote for the North American Review blog, take a look here:

http://northamericanreview.org/writing-experiments-rick-bursky/

The Relentless

The Relentless

One day we’ll know how long

the dead have to be dead

before they feel hunger.

One day it’ll be summer forever.

In the meantime, the weather,

looking for its cue, keeps an eye on me;

and I keep whatever money’s in my pocket

crumpled in a ball. A relentless

responsibility dogs me, and the funny thing

is, these are the lyrics to a happy song.

Go ahead, tap your foot,

snap your fingers.

We’re roasting a pig in the yard.

I’m No Longer Troubled By the Extravagance, BOA Editions, 2015

Gettysburg Review, Vol. 25, No 2 Spring 2012

Apologies

I haven't posted anything in a while. I promise I'll try, really try, to be better.

September Reading

I'm reading with the very talented Martin Ott at Skylight Books in Sept. Click here for info. Hope you'll drop in.

rickbursky.com

I re-worked my website and moved it to squarespace.com. It's not completely finished but it is up. Take a look if you get a chance.

rickbursky.com

I'm sure you're dying to see this.

Just what the world needs, advice from me.

https://www.youtube.com/user/WritersProgram

Reading in June!

I’m No Longer Troubled By The Extravagance on BOA website

More blatant self-promotion. My new book, I’m No Longer Troubled By The Extravagance, is available for pre-order on BOA’s website.

Take a look:  https://www.boaeditions.org/bookstore/im-no-longer-troubled-by-the-extravagance.html

Wish I Wrote It

Every now and then I come across a line I wish I wrote, this line by GC Waldrep is one of them. Found it in a BOA Editions tweet. I have a couple of her books, gonna go back to read them.

"Grief is a little church we don't remember / joining..."

ps
Actually, I often come across lines of poetry I wish I wrote. I read a lot of wonderful poetry.