Multiformalisms: Postmodern Poetics of Form

by Annie Finch, Susan M. Schultz (Editor)

Postmodern Poetics of Form explores new directions in poetic form and theory. The “multi” in “multiformalisms” is nothing if not multifarious. This collection of essays by important poets and critics investigates traditional and exploratory forms, as well as the ways cultures and histories have come to shape them. Multiformalisms juxtaposes essays on traditional formalism and flarf; the American long poem and native Hawaiian poetry; rhyme in Paul Muldoon and textual variability in New Media poetry; Susan Howe and Lucinda Roy, jazz and Asian American poetics, and more. Scholars and students of poetry, prosody, and culture will find this a necessary and lively reference to contemporary currents in their fields.

540 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2008

About the author

Annie Finch is the author of six books of poetry, including Spells: New and Selected Poems, The Poetry Witch Little Book of Spells, Calendars and Eve (both finalists for the National Poetry Series), and the verse play Among the Goddesses: An Epic Libretto in Seven Dreams (Sarasvati Award, 2012). Her poems have appeared onstage at Carnegie Hall and in The Penguin Book of Twentieth-Century American Poetry. Her other works include poetry translation, poetics, poetry anthologies, and a poetry textbook. She is also the editor of Choice Words: Writers on Abortion (Haymarket Books, 2020). Annie Finch holds a Ph.D from Stanford, served for a decade as Director of the Stonecoast MFA Program in Creative Writing, and has lectured on poetry at Berkeley, Toronto, Harvard, and Oxford. In 2010 she was awarded the Robert Fitzgerald Award for her lifetime contribution to the art and craft of Versification. Finch has collaborated on poetic ritual theater productions with artists in theater, dance, and music and has performed as Poetry Witch on three continents. She teaches poetry and magic at PoetryWitchCommunity.org. 

“My poems harness the magically diverse and deeply rooted craft of poetic rhythms and forms. Like spells, they enjoy being spoken aloud three times." —Annie Finch

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Annie connects with readers and facilitates seasonal rituals and classes in poetry and meter in her online community,
PoetryWitchCommunity.org, open to all who identify as women or gender-nonconforming.

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Blessings to all my beautiful readers!