Liberated from a concentration camp, Gerda Klein recited a line from German poet Goethe—a reminder of the healing power of poetry and art.
Memoir Notebook: A Courtyard in Queens
Dheepa Maturi reflects on her little Queens, New York, courtyard and its open-minded, open-hearted embrace, which welcomed and encircled and protected her.
Confessions of Poetry
Charity Singleton Craig goes out with a plan to spread poetry around her community and is thwarted by 20 scurrying chipmunks.
William Wordsworth: “The Prelude” and the Poetry of Revision
Some 24 manuscripts, dated from 1798 to 1839, exist for “The Prelude, ” the autobiographical poem by William Wordsworth; they show the poetry of revision.
Poetry Prompt: Life With Butter
Butter is one of the oldest known food sources and has been a constant symbol of life well-lived. Join us as we help ourselves to the butter and slather on an extra helping of it to our poetry.
Life Notes: What’s Your Happiest Moment?
What’s your happiest moment? We reach into the past in this “Life Notes” edition, to a high-armed couch and a mountain, to try to answer the question.
Committing Prufrock: A New Poetry Dare
Sandra Heska King gets nabbed while under cover in the poet’s protection program and agrees to commit Prufrock in the latest Poetry Dare scheme.
The Alchemy of Song
Donna Falcone reflects on the ways that song has helped her find herself since childhood.
William Wordsworth and the Language of the Common Man
Influenced by the American and French revolutions, William Wordsworth wrote poetry that used common language and spoke to feelings and imagination.
Monster II: Halloween Prompt
Halloween is the perfect time to explore a little bit of the monster in all of us. Join us and write some Halloween-inspired poetry.
Why Read a Poem at a Time Like This?
Why read a poem? It can tell the truth slant with “superb surprise” and dazzle us, gradually or with swift and sudden force, into insight and action.
How to Write an Acrostic Poem Infographic
Our new infographic will teach you how to write an acrostic poem and have you writing poetry soup for every meal.
Writing with Matisse in Mind
Maureen Doallas finds that if you live with an artist like Henri Matisse long enough, he’ll work his way into your writing.
Don Paterson: Poet of Light and Dark in Life and in Ourselves
Don Paterson is an important voice in British poetry and letters. He writes of both the light and the dark in life and in ourselves.
Poetry Prompt: The Double Acrostic
One of the trickier types of acrostic poetry is the double acrostic, also known as shadow poetry. Join us as we stand up to the challenge and write some poetry.
What the Book Needs: Creating The Joy of Poetry – Part 4
Megan Willome ends her 4-part series about creating The Joy of Poetry with a simple admonition for writers: be open to what your book needs.
4 Spooky Tips for Writing a Halloween Poem
Get ready for the spookiest Halloween yet with these great tips for writing a Halloween poem from Tania Runyan.
In Search of The Best American Essays
Laura Brown goes on a tour of Pittsburgh’s independent bookstores in search of the 2016 edition of The Best American Essays.
Poets and Poems: Frank Stanford and “The Light the Dead See”
Frank Stanford (1948-1978) embodied William Wordsworth’s “The Child is father of the Man” in both his life and his poetry.
Poetry Prompt: A Hidden Acrostic
Some acrostic poems are meant to be mysterious. Come along with us as we unravel a hidden acrostic poem and create some of our own.