Five Classic Poems

What makes a poem a “classic?” Is it the metaphorical language, the silky-smooth verse, the subtle message, the memorable rhymes? Or is it a little bit of all of that—wrapped into one concise and cohesive literary form—that moves us emotionally? Painters have brushes and canvasses and colors; sculptors have chisels and mallets and rasps; but poets just have . . . words. In this 2-session course, we’ll explore the poetic artistry of Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach,” T.S. Eliot’s “Journey of the Magi,” and Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird.” To tailor the course to the interests of the attendees, class participants will vote on 2-3 poems to be covered in the second session. Come join us for a celebration of rhyme and meter and metaphor and so much more.

Eric Kimble is a former business executive who, mid-career, answered a call from the “Great Recruiter in the Sky” to return to his high school alma mater to teach English literature and coach baseball. Known for creating engaging seminars with relevant lessons, Eric’s business/teaching background allows him to provide a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of literature and life. Eric spent most of his teaching career at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts; he most recently retired from teaching freshmen, sophomore and senior English Literature at Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket.  He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in English literature from Brown University. Eric and his wife Nancy recently moved to Rhode Island to be closer to their three grown daughters and enjoy the beauty of the Ocean State.