How to Be a Poet

The Roman poet Ovid's *The Book of Love* instructed women on the "art" of seduction and men in the "art" of romantic conquest. It is a "classic" sexist text on men, women, love, and sex. In her second book of erasures, JM Farkas takes on Ovid's *Ars Amoratis*, or "The Book of Love." In her signature feminist, revisionist twist, Farkas speaks to emerging "girl" poets. *How to Be a Poet* is not only for writers, but for anyone who wants to create beauty in the world. In addition to the erasure, *How to Be a Poet* will include a "cross-out" style that leaves the original text visible. Illustrations throughout also enhance the text. avenge your mother. invent a girl with a reckless heart. free her in her tower. be a thief, snatch time, every time you write, set fire to your arrows of desire. be greedy, burn like a jealous star. hide the key by the strawberry trees behind your heart. turn with the earth and sing like a girl.