In the simple, spare poems of “The Commonwealth,” Dan Rattelle explores the ideas of place and community, taken in their broadest sense.
On Rest, Hammocks, and Wasting a Life With James Wright
What does it mean to waste a life? Melissa Poulin explores James Wright and how, from the hammock’s viewpoint, wasting a life and living fully might be inextricably intertwined.
Poets and Poems: Carl Phillips and “Pale Colors in a Tall Field”
“Pale Colors in a Tall Field” by Carl Phillips invites you into a dream, asking unexpected if important questions.
Poetry Prompt: So Many Other Better Things To Do
Callie Feyen finds poetry for the crisis, both external and internal. Join her for a summer poetry prompt about what to do besides worry.
Poetry Prompt: Name Poems
What stories does your name hold, and how do they shape who you are and how you live? Join Callie Feyen for a name poems prompt.
Poets and Poems: Angela Alaimo O’Donnell and “Love in the Time of Coronavirus”
“Love in the Time of Coronavirus” by Angela Alaimo O’Donnell is the poet’s journal of the pandemic year and its change and upheaval.
Poetry Prompt: Peonies on How To Open Up
Join author Callie Feyen as she explores what it means to open ourselves up in this world. Just like the peonies.
Poets and Poems: Loren Broaddus and “Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light”
“Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light” by Loren Broaddus is a collection of poems about baseball, but, like baseball, it’s about a lot more.
Poets and Poems: John Martin Finlay and “Dense Poems & Socratic Light”
“Dense Poems & Socratic Light” by John Martin Finlay is the best collection of the poet’s published and unpublished work available.
An Ode to Poetry: “How to Write a Form Poem” by Tania Runyan
“How to Write a Form Poem” by Tania Runyan is a guide to 10 poetic forms. It also stands as an ode to poetry.
Poetry Prompt: Notebooks Trying To Tell
What have you been trying to tell yourself? Callie Feyen finds patterns, threads, and whispers in an old journal and “Kristin Lavransdatter.”
Reconsidering History: Natasha Trethewey and “Native Guard”
In “Native Guard,” poet Natasha Trethewey considers what history often forgets, in this case a Black regiment that fought for the Union.
Poetry Prompt: What’s Left Now
What fragments of love can you find (and write about) from what’s left now? Callie Feyen uses a poem by Marjorie Maddox for inspiration.
You Can Go Home Again – to the Bookstore
After more than a year of pandemic-induced isolation, I was able to go home again—in this case, a bookstore.
Poetry Prompt: Choose Risk Over Cuteness —The Acrostic Poem
Think the acrostic poem is too cute? Think again. Join Callie Feyen and Tania Runyan and see how risky the form can be.
Poets and Poems: James Tweedie and “Mostly Sonnets”
“Mostly Sonnets” by James Tweedie shows how the poetic form can also be used for important subjects other than love.
Poetry Prompt: A spiral staircase, anxiety, and the sestina
Join Callie Feyen and walk a spiral staircase with Tania Runyan, poet and author of “How to Write a Form Poem,” in order to understand the sestina.
Poets and Poems: Brad Lussier and “How Does He Love Me?”
The 47 sonnets of “How Does He Love Me?” by Brad Lussier remind us that love is transcendent, eternal and unchanging.
Poetry Prompt: Dance with Form
Ready to travel into the world of form poetry? Join author Callie Feyen as she compares dreaming with writing poetry.
An Epic Told in 500 Sonnets: “The Gift of Life” by Amanda Hall
In “The Gift of Life: An Epic in Verse,” poet Amanda Hall employs some 500 sonnets to tell a story of love amid contemporary life and culture.