As we leave 2020, our Poet Laura reflects on the generosity of the earth to her inhabitants, and considers ways to give back to the earth. Earth poetry included!
Poets and Poems: Jessica De Guyat and “Fording the Stream”
The poetry collection “Fording the Stream” by British poet Jessica De Guyat is centered in the idea of place, be it Lindisfarne, Iona, or the French Midi.
Poetry Prompt: Finding Poetry from Fear
Author Callie Feyen takes a dare to write nature poetry, finding inspiration from daredevil Robert Frost.
By Heart: “Snow-flakes” + New Edgar Lee Masters Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ‘Snow-flakes’ By Heart.
Poets and Poems: Daniel Leach and “Voices on the Wind”
“Voices on the Wind” by poet Daniel Leach is a collection of classical poetry centered in a rich tradition bubbling below the surface of modern poetry.
Evening Loveliness: poets Jane Kenyon & Sara Teasdale
As evening comes, author Megan Willome looks for wisdom and loveliness in the poetry of Jane Kenyon and Sara Teasdale.
Holidays by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow—And Happy Ones, to You!
We send our best wishes to you for the season and the year to come with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Holidays.”
Poet Laureate Joy Harjo: Grace, Rain, and Other Mysteries
Author Megan Willome considers grace, rain, and other mysteries inherent in the poetry of Joy Harjo, the new U.S. poet laureate.
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.
By Heart: “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud” + New Poetry Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud” By Heart and considers authorship.
Walking in the Dark: A Path Into Poetry
Walking (especially in the dark) is author Megan Willome’s path to poetry. Her steps begin in early morning moonlight and sometimes trace past a windmill.
Poets and Poems: Chris Dombrowski and “Ragged Anthem”
The 52 poems of “Ragged Anthem” by Chris Dombrowski describe the fragility and impermanence of life, in spite of an individual’s resilience.
Poets and Poems: Mike Bond and “The Drum That Beats Within Us”
“The Drum That Beats Within Us” by Mike Bond is a collection by a warrior poet, a warrior prepared to fight to the death with the soul of a poet.
Reader, Come Home: “Little Rhymes for Lowly Plants”
Join us for deep reading with author Megan Willome as we discuss a poetry collection about plants for Poetic Earth Month. And share your March pages for our Reader, Come Home column.
Ocean as Metaphor: “The Crossing Over” by Jen Karetnick
“The Crossing Over,” the new poetry collection by Jen Karetnick, uses the ocean as metaphor, offering its bounty but demanding its sacrifices.
Tweetspeak Poetry Party, Part 2: Skywoman Braids Sweetgrass
“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer provided the prompts for Tweetspeak Poetry’s recent poetry party on Twitter. These are the final five poems.
Tweetspeak Poetry Party: Skywoman Braids Sweetgrass
Tweetspeak Poetry’s recent poetry party on Twitter resulted in ten poems about Skywoman, braiding sweetgrass, trees, and a gift.
Children’s Book Club: “Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems”
S’more time! Join us for a Children’s Book Club discussion of a collection of camping poems called ‘Toasting Marshmallows’ by Kristine O’Connell George.
Paul Kingsnorth: The Poetry of the Future Landscape
The poetry of Paul Kingsnorth is continually looking at the landscape, the landscape of the future superimposed on the landscape of the past.
Poets and Poems: David Whyte and “The Bell and the Blackbird”
“The Bell and the Blackbird,” the new poetry collection by David Whyte, is full of surprises but retains Whyte’s trademark simplicity and depth.