“September 1, 1939” is one of Auden’s most famous poems. But British writer Ian Sansom sees the flaws. His biography of the poem and the poet is marvelous.
Songwriting and Writing: “Adorning the Dark” by Andrew Peterson
“Adorning the Dark” by writer and songwriter Andrew Peterson speaks to the mystery at the center of writing, creativity, and inspiration.
Poets and Poems: David Russell and “An Ever River”
The poems of “An Ever River” by British poet David Russell remind us that we are part of a larger whole that continues, even when damaged and mended.
A Poetic Novel to Turn You Upside Down: “Lanny” by Max Porter
In “Lanny,” British author Max Porter bends literary and artistic genres, creating a work that’s about art and its wonderful and fearsome effects.
Simon Armitage, the New British Poet Laureate
Simon Armitage is the new British poet laureate, and his most recent collection, “The Unaccompanied,” shows a poet at the top of his art.
Nature and “Dream Work”: We Had Mary Oliver for a Time
Poet Mary Oliver showed us how to employ nature to come to terms with where we come from, and to point to where we might be going.
Poets and Poems: Aaron Belz and “Soft Launch”
“Soft Launch,” the new poetry collection by Aaron Belz, reminds to us to stop and take a deep breath, even in the face of the daily apocalypse.
Poets and Poems: Rhina Espaillat and “And After All”
“And After All” by Rhina Espaillat is about all of our relationships, all of our interiors, the things that make our lives meaningful and important.
Announcing a Beautiful New Climate Teaching Book: Earth to Poetry
Carefully developed based on the successful “UCEful Model,” our latest book tackles a big need expressed by educators: climate teaching must somehow fit into their subject areas if it’s going to be taught. Enter “Earth to Poetry.”
Poets and Poems: John Dorsey and “Your Daughter’s Country”
“Your Daughter’s Country” by poet John Dorsey takes readers back to their childhoods, and to the relatives and other people who were considered “characters.”
A Live Tweetspeak Poetry Party with Sara Teasdale, Part 2
Five additional poems resulted from the Tweetspeak Poetry retreat, with “Flame and Shadow” by Sara Teasdale providing the prompts.
Poets and Poems: Justin Hamm and “The Inheritance”
The poems and photographs of “The Inheritance” are about the people, places, and things that shape us. They may be ghosts, but they’re powerful ghosts.
Poets and Poems: Ali Nuri and “Rain and Embers”
“Rain and Embers” by Ali Nuri is a poetry collection telling a story of flight, a refugee camp, and new existence where past and present are never separate.
“The Heart’s Necessities”: A Death, a Song, a Poem, and a Book
“The Heart’s Necessities” brings together the poetry and life story of Jane Tyson Clement and the music of Becca Stevens.
A Resource for Fiction Writers and Poets: “The Art of the Essay” — What?
“The Art of the Essay” by Charity Singleton Craig is not only for nonfiction writers; novelists and poets can benefit from it as well.
“The Art of the Essay” by Charity Singleton Craig
“The Art of the Essay” by Charity Singleton Craig is written to writers by a writer who loves what she does and wants other writers to love (and be better at) what they do.
Poets and Poems: Ollie Bowen and “On the Occasion of a Wedding”
“On the Occasion of a Wedding,” the debut collection by poet Ollie Bowen, celebrates various kinds of love shared by two people.
Poets and Poems: Matt Duggan and “Woodworm”
The 60 poems of “Woodworm” by Matt Duggan are speaking to us to be more aware of the havoc being wreaked by the worms of our society.
Poets and Poems: Chad Abushanab and “The Last Visit”
“The Last Visit,” the debut collection by poet Chad Abushanab, explores the pain and brokenness of growing up in the family of an alcoholic.
Poets and Poems: Rachael Allen and “Kingdomland”
The poems of “Kingdomland” by Rachael Allen depict a strange landscape, one that is both unfamiliar and oddly recognizable.