In “Breathe Here,” poet Ellie O’Leary writes of her childhood losses of her mother at age 10 and her father at 18.
Poets and Poems: Osip Mandelstam and “Tristia”
Russians consider Osip Mandelstam one of the greatest poets; a new translation of “Tristia” helps explain why.
Poets and Poems: Andrew Frisardi and “The Moon on Elba”
To read “The Moon on Elba” by poet Andrew Frisardi is to experience the light of Italy and the ideal or idea behind the words.
Poets and Poems: Bruce Beasley and “Prayershreds”
After reading the 18 poems of “Prayershreds” by Bruce Beasley, you’ll find yourself, and your poetic head, in a very different place.
Poets and Poems: Catherine Esposito Prescott and “Accidental Garden”
The 42 poems of “Accidental Garden” by Catherine Esposito Prescott consider the eternal question of whether life is planned or accidental.
For Valentine’s Day: Mary Oliver and “Felicity”
In “Felicity,” Mary Oliver includes 18 love poems — something of a surprise for a poet not known for love poetry.
Discovering a Forgotten Poet: J.V. Cunningham
Poet J.V. Cunningham defied the modernist fashion in poetry and published several collections of carefully crafted formalist poems.
Poets and Poems: Benjamin Myers at “The Family Book of Martyrs”
In “The Family Book of Martyrs,” poet Benjamin Myers writes about our hopes, our fears, and the things we love.
Poets and Poems: Laura Mullen and “After I Was Dead”
Finding “After I Was Dead: Poems” by Laura Mullen in a university bookstore reinvents a personal history and stokes memories of 50 years ago.
Poets and Poems: Nancy Murphy and “The Space Carved by the Sharpness of Your Absence”
In “The Space Carved by the Sharpness of Your Absence,” poet Nancy Murphy makes sense of loss, grief, pain, and separation.
Poets and Poems: Tania Pryputniewicz and “The Fool in the Corn”
In “The Fool in the Corn: Poems,” Tania Pryputniewicz comes to terms with her unusual childhood and how it’s shaped her life.
Poets and Poems: Angela Alaimo O’Donnell and “Holy Land”
For poet Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, “Holy Land” has many definitions, encompassing not only the geographic but also those of lived experience.
Poets and Poems: Andrea Potos and “Her Joy Becomes”
In “Her Joy Becomes,” poet Andrea Potos invites the reader into her mind and her heart to experience what her mother meant to her.
J.D. McClatchy Tells the Story of the Civil War — in Poetry
“Poets of the Civil War” by J.D. McClatchy is a small volume that manages to capture the magnitude of the American Civil War.
Poets and Poems: David Russell and “Quadrilateral: Utterances”
“Quadrilateral: Utterances” by David Russell is a feast of language that leaves you both sated and hungry for more.
“The Illustrated Emily Dickinson” for Children – and Adults
“The Illustrated Emily Dickinson” by Ryan Van Cleave introduces the poet and 25 of her best-known poems to younger audiences.
Earth Song Book Club: Poems in the Silence
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Poets and Poems: Kathy Fagan and “Bad Hobby”
The 45 poems of “Bad Hobby” by Kathy Fagan return continually to the importance of family and relationships.
Poets and Poems: Colm Tóibín and “Vinegar Hill”
“Vinegar Hill” is the first book of poetry by novelist and writer Colm Tóibín, and it underscores his reputation for storytelling.
Poet Laura: Dark Humor & Smarts in the Same Poem
In this month’s columns from Karen Paul Holmes, our Poet Laura invites us to write a dark humor poem using a sample Rupert Fike poem.