It’s not your ordinary coffee shop that serves pine needle tea. But then, these are no ordinary times. Come talk poetry, wholeness, and kindness with L.L. Barkat, over a cup of white pine tea.
The Incredible Hulk, Little Red Riding Hood, and Gwendolyn Brooks
Callie Feyen marshalls Gwendolyn Brooks, the Incredible Hulk and Red Riding Hood in this reflection on teaching, imagination, wisdom and poetry in the varied parts of ourselves.
Book Club Announcement: ‘The Yellow Wall-Paper: a graphic novel’ (+ two more book clubs for spring)
“When I teach poetry,” says author Megan Willome, “I remind people that there is no secret code to crack. So also with this story. There isn’t one right answer — or rather, there are as many answers as there are shades of yellow.” Come share your palette of views, in our new book club!
Poems From the Coffee Shop—Chamomile and Wild Honeyed Bread
What happens when your coffee shop has no shop? Join author L.L. Barkat for a discussion of the poem “Rider” and thoughts on resilience.
Poems to Listen By: Sharing the Canopy 07—The Maples of Dachau
In the latest Poems to Listen By: Under the Canopy episode, Laurie Klein shares a poignant poem with a darker understory.
Deaf Republic Book Club: Act Two
In the second half of our book club discussion of Ilya Kaminsky’s Deaf Republic, the poems ask us hard questions about the body, about what makes us human, about hope.
Home Ed 101: Setting Up Your Home School Classroom
Due to school closures, many families are now faced with setting up school at home. So we’re offering Home Ed 101 to get you on your educational feet. Today’s edition is devoted to setting up your home school classroom. We invite you to ask any questions you might have!
Poetry Review: Birthright by George Abraham
In this review of George Abraham’s poetry collection, Birthright, guest author Ali Nuri explores the powerful implications of colonization, oppression and erasure.
Poems From the Coffee Shop: Ceylon and The Red Wheel Barrow
When “humanity happens,” what connects us to a wider sense of life and each other? Classic poems lead the way. (Ceylon tea and experimental sandwiches aren’t far behind.)
Deaf Republic Book Club: Act One
In our first installment of the Deaf Republic book club, we consider hope’s impossibility in the midst of unending devastation.
Poetry Prompt: If I Built A House
If you built a house, how big would you dream? Join author Callie Feyen as she remembers a childhood game and invites us to imagine our dream dwelling.
Poet Laura: I Read Poems to Some Chickens!
On a frosty day in suburban Illinois, Tweetspeak’s Poet Laura, Tania Runyan, gathers up four hens and an Emily Dickinson collection for an adventure in reading poems to chickens.
Poems From the Coffee Shop: Chai Latte and Sanctuary
Where do you find sanctuary? Come with L.L. Barkat to the coffee shop and enter into a poem that glimmers, and maybe offers something to go along with your chai tea (or coffee).
Poems to Listen By: Sharing the Canopy 06—Buddy Story
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
The Silver Chair Book Club: A Pattern That Others Made
In this final installment of our book club discussion of The Silver Chair, our trio rescue the Prince, and make their way back to Narnia, but not before discovering an important truth about the others with whom we share space in the world.
Poetry Prompt: Use Your Five Senses
How can writing a poem about the five senses improve a bad day? Author Callie Feyen shows us how, with the help of a first-grade friend.
Top 10 Ideas for How to Start a Poetry Club
Exploring poetry together can make your friendships (and your life) more interesting—whether at home, school, or in the workplace. Here are 10 great ideas for how to start a poetry club and keep the goodness going.
Literary Analysis: The Yellow Wall-Paper Affects Us All
The Yellow Wall-Paper may seem like a simple story on the surface, but it’s actually quite complex. This analysis of the classic 1892 story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman probes that complexity in fascinating ways.
The Silver Chair Book Club: The Darkness Around Us Is Deep
In the dramatic escape scene of a children’s story, we discover important truths about staying awake to our lives and the world around us. Join us for the latest installment in our book club discussion of The Silver Chair.
Poems From the Coffee Shop: Earl Grey and Loch Ness Weariness
When nothing goes as planned, what’s Plan B? Maybe coffee, maybe tea. Especially at a beautiful coffee shop, with poems like “Loch Ness” on your mind.