Allen Ginsberg started with the Beat Generation and became known for the obscenity trial over his “Howl and Other Poems” and a devotion to protest.
September Beats: Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac gave the name to the Beat Generation of writers and poets. In the more than 50 years after his death, he’s become an American legend.
September Beat: The Beat Poets
The Beat poets – Kerouac, Ginsberg, O’Hara, others – were unconventional in their writing and lives, and had a major impact on American culture.
Poets and Poems: Meeting Edgar Allan Poe
A new short biography of Edgar Allan Poe serves as an excellent introduction to an American literary icon.
Poets and Poems: Luci Shaw and “Scape”
Written with a perceptive and understanding eye, the poetry collection “Scape” by Luci Shaw is about the beauty of creation and the creative act.
Poets and Poems: Alexander Blok and “The Stranger”
In his lifetime, Alexander Blok was considered one of the finest of all Russian poets. He still carries that accolade today.
Gone Fishing: PhotoPlay and Prompt
Some days, fishing is a discipline of quiet contemplation. Come on over and unwind. Tell others you’ve Gone Fishing and join us for a little PhotoPlay.
Laura Inman and “The Poetic World of Emily Brontë”
“The Poetic World of Emily Brontë” by Laura Inman is a wonderful way to be introduced to her poetry, seen through the lens of her novel “Wuthering Heights”
Gone Fishing: Poetry Prompt and Playlist
We’ve got a roundup of the [mostly] happy songs in our new Playlist. Catch a listen, put up the “Gone Fishing” sign and cast a line or two of poetry with us.
Poets and Poems: Boris Pasternak and “February”
“February: Poems” by Boris Pasternak reflect the poet (and novelist’s) experience of living in a Russia marked by war, revolution, civil war, and oppressive communism.
Top 10 Best Laundry Poems
Take a break from your laundry hanging, or ironing, or presoaking, and enjoy this neatly folded basket of laundry poems, plus a giveaway of Scratch Magazine.
Poets and Poems: Robinson Jeffers and “Selected Poetry”
Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962) was a significant poet in the 1920s and 1930s, and then forgotten until rediscovered by the environmental movement.
PhotoPlay 2: Portrait of a Shell, Sand, and the Sea Poetry Prompt
We are dipping our toes in the ocean at here at Tweetspeak Poetry. Join us for PhotoPlay 2. Look closely. You might just find a poem tucked inside a shell.
The Poetry of World War I
Tim Kendall’s anthology “Poetry of the First World War” explains how poetry came to be so connected with “the war to end all wars.”
Poets and Poems: Marina Tsvetaeva and “My Poems”
Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva (1892-1941) used love as a compass in her poetry, in the face of monumental tragedies she experienced in her country.
Top Ten Independence Poems
All of us want a little independence; some of us want a lot. Which is to say that independence isn’t only a political thing. Celebrate (or keep reaching) with these 10 great independence poems.
Poets and Poems: Wendell Berry and “This Day”
“This Day, ” Wendell Berry’s new collected Sabbath poems, remind us of the wholeness, consistency and beauty of his literary writing.
Top Ten Summer Poems
To help you stretch out these summer days as long as possible, we’ve gathered up a great collection of summer poems, from dandelions to love on the beach to patio umbrellas and everything in between (including the mosquitoes).
Take Your Poet to Work: W. B. Yeats
Have you chosen your favorite poet for Take Your Poet to Work Day? W. B. Yeats joins our growing collection of ready-for-work poets today.
Poets and Poems: J.R.R. Tolkien and “Beowulf”
The newly published translation of “Beowulf” by J.R.R. Tolkien is both poetic prose and a reminder of the epic’s influence on “The Lord of the Rings.”