The poems of “Feel Free,” the newest collection by Irish poet Nick Laird, explore ideas of freedom and restraints, opening up worlds of imagination.
Poets and Poems: Ailbhe Darcy and “Insistence”
In her new poetry collection, “Insistence,” Ailbhe Darcy explores the responsibility of the poet and the individual to address great issues of the day.
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.
Poets and Poems: Phoebe Power and “Shrines of Upper Austria”
In “Shrines of Upper Austria,” British poet Phoebe Power explores a common theme in contemporary power — identity, her own and that of her grandmother.
Poets and Poems: James Matthew Wilson and “Some Permanent Things”
The poems of “Some Permanent Things” by James Matthew Wilson speak to the transient and the permanent in our history, our lives, and our future.
The T.S. Eliot Prize: “Three Poems” by Hannah Sullivan
The language of “Three Poems” by Hannah Sullivan, the 2018 T.S. Eliot Prize winner, is sharp, clear, and devoid of ambiguity. And it is indeed three poems.
Poets and Poems: Benjamin Myers and “Black Sunday”
In “Black Sunday,” Benjamin Myers uses poetry to explore and illustrate what happened to the people and the land during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
Poets and Poems: David Bottoms and “Otherworld, Underworld, Prayer Porch”
The poems of “Otherworld, Underworld, Prayer Porch” by David Bottoms reach back to the people and stories that shape our minds and hearts.
Poets and Poems: Aisha Sharif and “To Keep from Undressing”
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.
Poets and Poems: James Matthew Wilson and “The Hanging God”
The poems of “The Hanging God” by James Matthew Wilson present an irresistible urge, almost a compulsion, to reread them to find new layers of meaning.
Poets and Poems: Matt Duggan and “A Season in Another World”
“A Season in Another World” by British poet Matt Duggan takes us on a journey steeped in legend, myth, fable, and fairy tale.
Poets and Poems: Luke Kennard and “Planet-Shaped Horse”
In “Planet-Shaped Horse” by British poet Luke Kennard, be prepared for fun-punched discoveries about words, language, ideas, and conventions.
Poets and Poems: Mary Karr and “Tropic of Squalor”
“Tropic of Squalor” by poet and memorist Mary Karr demonstrates Karr’s well-earned reputation for excellence in imagery and metaphor.
Poetry, Fiction, or What? “The Long Take” by Robin Robertson
“The Long Take” by British poet Robin Robertson, shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize, is a poetry book, a novel, and a noir movie.
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.
World War I: Mary Borden – Nurse, Novelist, Poet
American Mary Borden married a missionary, financed a hospital in World War I France, had an affair, published novels — and wrote poetry.
Marjorie Maddox and “Transplant, Transport, Transubstantiation”
The poems of “Transplant, Trnasport, Transubstantiation” by Marjorie Maddox take us to the world of change and loss, and what sustains us.
Poets and Poems: Neal Sehgal and “Kiss the Earth”
In “Kiss the Earth,” Neal Sehgal breaks the boundaries of artistic forms, combining poetry and photography to challenge our understanding of each.