The poems of “To Keep from Undressing” by Aisha Sharif tell the powerful story of a black woman and her Muslim faith in America.
National Book Award for Poetry: “Indecency” by Justin Phillip Reed
The poems of the 2018 National Book Award for Poetry Winner “Indecency” by Justin Phillip Reed are as haunting as the streets they come from.
Children’s Book Club: ‘The Crossover’
Tis the season for basketball! Join us for a Children’s Book Club discussion of Kwame Alexander’s novel told through poems, ‘The Crossover.’
Read Like a Writer: Second Person Narrative Voice in Claudia Rankine’s “Citizen: An American Lyric”
Charlotte Donlon explores use of the second person narrative voice through the work of Claudia Rankine— and helps writers discover something surprising that’s within their power to do.
Children’s Book Club: “Brown Girl Dreaming”
How does one become a writer? Join us for a Children’s Book Club discussion of ‘Brown Girl Dreaming’ by Jacqueline Woodson.
The Poets of Instagram: r.h. Sin and “I Hope This Reaches Her in Time”
The poets of Instagram are helping to revitalize the reading of poetry, and r.h. Sin is one of them. His new collection is “I Hope This Reaches Her in Time.”
Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks: The Golden Shovel Anthology
“The Golden Shovel Anthology” has been published by the University of Arkansas Press to honor poet Gwendolyn Brooks, with a new poetic form.
The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry: “Olio” by Tyehimba Jess
The Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry collection “Olio” by Tyehimba Jess bends poetry our of its familiar groove to tell a story few Americans know.
Reading Together: Rita Dove’s ‘Thomas and Beulah’
Megan Willome’s reading of Rita Dove’s Thomas and Beulah is a reminder that sometimes the moments that change us most aren’t the ones that make the news.
Persecuted Poets: Hearing the Voices Beyond Our Borders
Now, perhaps more than ever, it’s important to make room in our literary conversations for those poets whose voices were, or have been, or are still silenced because they dared to be our lanterns.
Forward Prize for Best First Collection: “Wife” by Tiphanie Yanique
“Wife, ” winner of the Forward Prize for best first collection, challenges our notions of what marriage mean, but ends up reaffirming the idea of commitment.
Take Your Poet to Work: Maya Angelou
As we continue to get ready for the 2015 Take Your Poet to Work Day Celebration, this week we welcome Maya Angelou to our collection of ready-for-work poets.
Poets and Poems: Claudia Rankine and “Citizen”
The poems by Claudia Rankine in “Citizen” startle and confront. They challenge ways of being, thought, interactions between people. And what all of this means in the context of skin color.
Poets and Poems: Willie Perdomo and Saeed Jones
Two finalists for the National Book Critics Circle Award for poetry, Willie Perdomo and Saeed Jones, have produced poems of music, remembrance and pain.
Take Your Poet to Work: Langston Hughes
Be the envy of your coworkers when you bring Langston Hughes to the office with you for Take Your Poet to Work Day on July 16. He’s our first poet of 2014.
Maya Angelou: The Poetry and Life of Reinvention
Maya Angelou was an unlikely candidate for literary success. But she reinvented herself, more than once.
Eating and Drinking Poems: Lucille Clifton’s ‘Cutting Greens’
In this Eating and Drinking Poems post, Kathryn Neel pairs ‘cutting greens’ by Lucille Clifton with a southern recipe for collard greens.
Poets and Poems: Gwendolyn Brooks’ ‘Selected Poems’
Poets and poems: Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American to receive the Pulitzer Prize, wrote about the people she knew and the history always with us.
Eating and Drinking Poems: Rita Dove’s “Chocolate”
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Kathryn Neel’s latest “Eating and Drinking Poems” post features a flourless chocolate soufflé recipe with a loving ode to chocolate by Rita Dove.
Poets and Poems: Patricia Smith
This week’s “Poets and Poems” highlights Patricia Smith’s work, including her poem “They Romp with Wooly Canines” and her performance of “Skinhead.”