How to Write a Form Poem: Hear the Poets

More than twenty poets gathered on a Saturday evening, to read their poems featured in How to Write a Form Poem. Some of the poets read regional or travel poems, which had been invited as an alternative, given that a travel metaphor holds this fun and helpful book together.

Poets had also been asked to bring their favorite travel mug and keys, as well as a regional item specific to their area. Some chose a single item. Others brought all three. It was enriching to see the poets sharing these small parts of their lives—more fulfilling than hearing an ordinary “poet intro” that focuses on accomplishments. More human, really.

There were funny moments. Beautiful moments. And tender moments, too. One poet who lives in Uruguay showed us the coolest key (apartment keys look different there… more intricate and lovely!). We saw a Yellow Rose of Texas mug. A sprig of white pine. A rock from Lake Michigan. Moon pie. Even Dr. Who.

If you missed the event, no worries. You can listen anytime, right here…
 

Listen to More Than 20 Poets Read From How to Write a Form Poem!

Time Stamp Links Open in YouTube

If you click the time stamps below, they open in YouTube. Or you can use them as a guide to find specific poets in the video above.

0:00​ Lovely welcome & book backstory from Tania Runyan

6:45​ Barbara Crooker – anthracite coal desk set – “Crepuscule” (acrostic poem)

8:58​ FAISAL MOHYUDDIN – gingko leaf – “To Be a Fisherman or a Father, You Must” (ghazal poem)

11:46​ Janet Aalfs – white pine – “Ode to a Lost Sweater” (ode poem)

14:21​ Celia Lissa Alvarez – flamingo keychain – “Lizards” (sestina poem)

17:42​ CLAIRE BATEMAN – Moon Pie – “Storm Chasing” (prose poem)

20:30​ Jill Baumgaertner – Rapid City Airforce base license plate – “Where Are All My Lost Addresses” (catalog poem)

24:16​ AARON BROWN – lounging dog – “Ghazal” (ghazal poem)

27:45​ Maureen Doallas – T-bird car – “Breath-Sound While Meditating” (pantoum poem)

30:58​ DEB Y FELIO – Colorado “weed” – “asking me to pause” (acrostic poem)

33:57​ Tom Hunley – Kentucky bottle – “It’s Not So Hard to Write a Sonnet, Man” (sonnet poem)

35:58​ MARCI RAE JOHNSON – Lake Michigan rock -“Two Promising Places to Live in the Northern Constellation Lyra” (free verse)

38:24​ SANDRA HESKA KING – alligator – “To My Mother” (villanelle poem)

41:58​ REBECCA LAUREN – famous PA cookbooks- “Ode to Butter” (ode poem)

45:38​ Chip Livingston – cool antique key – “Punta del Este Pantoum” (pantoum poem)

48:56​ Katie Manning – Dr. Who tenth doctor – “The Book of Class” (found poem)

52:12​ Marjorie Maddox – baseball – “Bouncing Between Beds With Song” (pantoum poem)

56:45​ RICHARD MAXSON – bluebonnet seeds – “Please Stay” (rondeau poem)

1:00:47​ Dheepa Maturi – cardinal stained glass – “The Ancient Dance: A Ghazal” (ghazal poem)

1:04:36​ MICHELLE ORTEGA – TS Poetry key chain – “Let the Questions Go Unanswered” (haibun poem)

1:08:15​ CHRISTOPHER PATCHEL – wind breaker – “Writers Block” (haiku sequence)

1:10:34​ Richard Pierce – Waynesburg University sweatshirt – “Go Gentle” (villanelle)

1:13:36​ Susan Rothbard – Taylor Pork Roll – “That New” (sonnet poem)

1:15:34​ Murray Silverstein – Airbnb key — “Sestina to Bind a Goodbye” (sestina poem)

1:19:56​ Todd C. Truffin – little pig – “Summer Conditioning” (villanelle poem)

1:22:21​ MEGAN WILLOME – yellow rose of Texas mug – “At Mile 37” (rondeau poem)

1:25:02​ TANIA RUNYAN closing

Photo by Joel Olives, Creative Commons, via Flickr. Post by L.L. Barkat.

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L.L. Barkat

L.L. Barkat is the Managing Editor of Tweetspeak Poetry and the author of six books for grown-ups and four for children, including the popular 'Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing.' Her poetry has appeared on the BBC and at NPR, VQR, and The Best American Poetry.

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