“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.
Poetry Prompt: Inventory Poetry
Join author Callie Feyen as she takes an inventory of her kitchen and finds many prompts for poetry.
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.
By Heart: “South of the Cap Rock” + New Shakespeare Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns Carlos Ashley’s’ “South of the Cap Rock” By Heart. And Mrs. George Reece speaks from the grave in praise of poetry memorization, for truth and beauty’s sake.
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.
By Heart: “This Is Just To Say” + New Carlos Ashley Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns William Carlos Williams’ “This Is Just To Say” By Heart and talks about plums as a breakfast food.
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.
Flame and Shadow: A Live Tweetspeak Poetry Party with Sara Teasdale, Part 1
In August, Tweetspeak Poetry hosted a retreat and undertook the first Tweetspeak Twitter Poetry Party without Twitter. Sara Teasdale provided 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.
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.
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.
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.
By Heart: “Kindness” + Wordsworth Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns Naomi Shihab Nye’s “Kindness” By Heart and throws in a few thoughts on “The Sound of Music.”
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.