In this three hour, generative workshop, we will grapple with what constitutes the political poem and its sub-genre “Poetry of Witness.” How can we respond to injustice, environmental degradation, sexism, racism, and genocide through the poem’s lyric, and not resort to polemical language? We will utilize poetry from masters of this genre – Adrienne Rich, Denise Levertov, Martin Espada, Brian Turner, and Carolyn Forche – to guide us in this process.