In ‘When You Ask Me, Why Paris?’, poet Michelle Ortega reflects on a Paris of both place and memory—and the hints of Paris you stumble over in New York City and even in your own hometown.
Robert Waldron Imagines the Creation of “The Hound of Heaven”
In “The Hounds of Heaven at My Heels,” Robert Waldron imagines the creation of the great late 19th century poem by Francis Thompson.
50 States of Generosity: Iowa
From bridges to baseball, to fun food at the fair, Iowa’s got something for everyone. Sandra Heska King will meet you there.
Poets and Poems: Luci Shaw and “An Incremental Life”
In “An Incremental Life,” poet Luci Shaw takes stock of the personal, the poetic, and the sacred with the sense of experience lived.
Ben Palpant Talks with 17 Poets About, Well, Poetry
In “An Axe for the Frozen Sea,” poet and writer Ben Palpant interviews 17 poets about poetry and why and how they write.
Poets and Poems: Forrest Gander and “Mojave Ghost”
“Mojave Ghost,” a novel poem by Forrest Gander, combines the physical landscape of the desert with the interior landscape of the mind.
Poems to Listen By: Yondering—6: Restricted Travel
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Poets and Poems: Siân Killingsworth and “Hiraeth”
In “Hiraeth: Poems,” Siân Killingsworth looks at how we remember people and events and how we never can go home again.
Braving the Poem: Interview with Catherine Abbey Hodges
It was a full moon night when Catherine Abbey Hodges first began writing poetry. That brave moment has stayed with her. Come be inspired by Catherine’s poetry journey and insights!
Poets and Poems: Donna Hilbert and “Gravity”
“Gravity: New & Selected Poems” by Donna Hilbert allow the reader to see the poet’s development of her theme of home, family, and life.
Poets and Poems: Emily Patterson and “So Much Tending Remains”
In “So Much Tending Remains,” poet Emily Patterson watches her child grow from birth to toddlerhood, reflecting what parenthood means.
National Poetry Month Is Here + Prompt!
National Poetry Month Is here! What are your plans? We’d love to help you find what you need to make it the best.
A Biography of Dante’s Divine Comedy
“Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Biography” by Joseph Luzzi considers how the great poem has been received over the centuries.
Relearning Civil War History to Write a Novel
To write the historical novel “Brookhaven,” I had to relearn the subject I thought I knew all about — the history of the Civil War.
Making & Unmaking Meaning: Interview with Wendy Wisner
Wendy Wisner makes meaning in the prose world, while she sometimes tries to unmake it in the poetry world. Join her in “making less sense” with a fun poetry prompt!
Poets and Poems: Marjorie Maddox and “Seeing Things”
This Collection is a story of three generations of women, a story of depression, abuse, and dementia. If I gave the story a title, it might be “Broken Things, Mending.”
Religion and Poetry Do Mix – and Mix Well
Understanding the strong connection between religion and poetry can be both insightful and richly rewarding.
Poets and Poems: Ryan Ruby and “Context Collapse”
“Context Collapse” by Ryan Ruby is either a long poem serving as a critical literary essay, or an essay written in poetic form.
Poets and Poems: Jessica Cohn and “Gratitude Diary”
In “Gratitude Journal: Poems,” Jessica Cohn expresses gratitude for the unusual and unexpected, but always with something larger in mind.
Poets and Poems: Donna Hilbert and “Enormous Blue Umbrella”
“Enormous Blue Umbrella,” the new poetry collection by Donna Hilbert, fuses, memory, childhood, and life into simple and satisfying poems.