The poems of “The Courage It Takes” by Kelly Chripczuk tell the story of the disconnect between inner self and outer reality.
Poetry Prompt: Banquet Poems
How can poetry be found in uncomfortable situations? Join author Callie Feyen (and some spiders) at a high school sports banquet.
Children’s Book Club: ‘Goodnight Star, Whoever You Are’
When a child loses someone, a story can be a helpful way to discuss grief. Jodi Meltzer’s “Goodnight Star, Whoever You Are” is one such story.
Don’t Ask Why Book Club: From New York to Paris
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Time for The Midnight Ball—A Gold Medal Winner!
A new children’s book ‘The Midnight Ball,’ by Sara Barkat, combines a delightful story and illustrations with poetic device and telling time. Can you find the double meanings?
Poets and Poems: Shane McCrae and “Sometimes I Never Suffered”
In “Sometimes I Never Suffered,” poet Shane McCrae uses the historical figure of a mixed-race boy to tell a larger story.
Hermit Crab Essay Series: 001 How to Do A Switch Leap
Callie Feyen begins a new series: The Hermit Crab Essay. She begins with the how-to of a switch leap and reveals something more vulnerable.
Reading Generously: Stories with Older Characters
How do we develop empathy? By reading fiction—generously. This month we focus on older characters in a novel by Ernest J. Gaines.
Poems to Listen By: Moonstruck 04—Delicate
The moon is full of mystery and delicate secrets. In this episode of Poems to Listen By: Moonstruck, Laurie Klein reads L.L. Barkat’s “Delicate.”
Poet Laura: Where I’m From
Meet Tweetspeak’s new Poet Laura, who is not named Laura and is not “that kind” of Karen. Karen Paul Holmes introduces herself with a Where I’m From prompt.
Poets and Poems: David Russell Mosley and “The Green Man”
To read the poems of “The Green Man” by David Russell Mosley is to walk the ancient paths of Nature and faith.
By Heart: ‘Sea Poppies’ + New Tracy K. Smith Challenge
Imagine discovering a treasure—a flower. Who will you tell? Join us and learn “Sea Poppies” by H.D. By Heart.
Don’t Ask Why: So Many Meteorites
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Poets and Poems: Brittney Corrigan and “Daughters”
In “Daughters,” poet Brittney Corrigan has imagined the experience of the daughter of 50 figures of fiction fairy tales, folklore, and myth.
50 States of Generosity: West Virginia
We continue our 50 States of Generosity series with a focus on West Virginia, The Mountain State, where “Mountaineers are Always Free.”
Don’t Ask Why Book Club: Dolores
In the first installment of our book club discussion of Michelle Ortega’s “Don’t Ask Why” chapbook, we explore the source of the author’s pain—and resilience.
Poets and Poems: Mark Johnson Cole and “Four Texas Quartets”
Mark Johnson Cole has constructed a poetic mythology of his home state in “Four Texas Quartets,” and he’s honored T.S. Eliot along the way.
Poet Laura: Passing the Feather Again
Laura Boggess closes out her term as Poet Laura and passes the feather to Tweetspeak’s newest resident poet.
Poets and Poems: Ada Limón and “The Carrying”
In “The Carrying,” poet Ada Limón takes the commonplace and turns it into reflections and meditations that are both personal and universal.
Poetry Prompt: It’s the Setting
What role does setting play in your poetry? Join author Callie Feyen as she explores how setting can be used to move our writing forward.