Uncle Walt says spiders and souls have a lot in common. Our By Heart column considers Whitman’s ‘A Noiseless Patient Spider’ and Charlotte.
Poets and Poems: Arran James Grant and “Mania”
“Mania,” the first poetry volume published by Arran James Grant, could well be desscribed as a coming-of-age poetry collection.
Listening for Stories: Knitting Lessons
Through a poignant story about learning to knit, Callie Feyen reflects on beginnings, endings, and reminders of mortality.
Poets and Poems: A.M. Juster and “Wonder & Wrath”
“Wonder & Wrath,” the ninth poetry collection by A.M. Juster, is alternately serious and playful, written by a master of formalism.
Children’s Book Club: ‘Saturday’ by Oge Mora
Meet a mother with strong emotions. This month’s Children’s Book Club discusses ‘Saturday’ by Oge Mora, and a mom who feels all the feels.
Poet Laura: A Dedication to Whimsy, From Your New Poet Laura
Meet Laura Boggess, our newest Poet Laura and the first “Laura” Poet Laura and get a glimpse of her dedication to whimsy.
Poet Laura: Passing the Pen
Tania Runyan concludes her year as Tweetspeak’s inaugural Poet Laura and passes the torch to 2021’s resident poet.
James Sale and “HellWard” – Writing an Epic Poem in English
Few poets would attempt what James Sale is doing — writing an epic poem in English inspired by Dante’s “The Divine Comedy.”
Poetry Prompt: What a Memory Is
What is a memory? A 96-year-old woman and a small boy are searching for the answer. Author Callie Feyen searches for poetry in what they find.
A Ritual to Read to Each Other: When you can’t read
What do you read when you can’t? This month’s ‘A Ritual to Read to Each Other’ column explores how to begin again.
When Your Phone Dies: “A Hurricane in My Head” by Matt Abbott
In “A Hurricane in My Head,” Poet Matt Abbott has a suggestion for what to do when your young teen’s phone dies.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter Two, Shakespeare Symphony Project and Slightly Famous French Bread
Fall means fiction! Join author Callie Feyen in chapter 2 of Carter’s story, which combines memorizing Shakespeare with making music.
By Heart: ‘Some One’ + New Walt Whitman Challenge
When a poem knocks, you open. Join Megan Willome as she learns Walter de la Mare’s creepy “Some One” By Heart, just in time for Halloween.
I Could Tell You Stories: Hope for the Mighty Bird
Revisiting a long-ago read collection of Patricia Hampl stories leads Callie Feyen down a path of mystery and wonder and memory.
‘A Wrinkle in Time’ Book Club: none but Love
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Robert Hudson Explains the House Fly — and Poetry
In “The Poet and the Fly,” Robert Hudson considers seven poets and how they used the common house fly to develop their themes.
The Poetry Club Tea Date ✨ Braiding His Hair
In this week’s Poetry Club Tea Date, enjoy a new poetry prompt started with a line from “Braiding His Hair” by Alison Luterman.
‘A Wrinkle in Time’ Book Club: the heart within me knows
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Poets and Poems: Susan Richardson and “Things My Mother Left Behind”
In “Things My Mother Left Behind,” poet Susan Richardson tells the story of her loss of sight and progression to darkness.
Poetry Prompt: Do Something You Love And Tell About It
What would you do if your teacher gave you this assignment: Do something you love and then tell about it? Join author Callie Feyen as she and her daughters try to complete the task.