For generations, we’ve used the Civil War as a lens for viewing controversies. In his poem “For the Union Dead,” Robert Lowell considers the war — and a parking garage.
Poetry and Remembering the Civil War – Part 1: Allen Tate
The Civil War has long been used as a lens for interpreting, understanding, and advocating contemporary issues. So has the poetry about the Civil War.
The 2017 Walt Whitman Award: “Eye Level” by Jenny Xie
“Eye Level” by Jenny Xie, a collection of poems marked by spareness and precision, is the 2017 winner of the Walt Whitman Award.
Infographic: How to Write a Tanka
Try your hand at writing a tanka poem with our fun new infographic.
Poetry Prompt: Science Fiction with Tony Wolk
This week we’re spending time in our notebooks tracing the lines of connection, the poems we can’t forget, the books we always return to, reflecting on their influence on our poetry—and maybe sharing a poem to illustrate.
Poets and Poems: Sofia Starnes and “The Consequence of Moonlight”
The Consequence of Moonlight, the latest collection of poetry by former Virginia Poet Laureate Sofia Starnes, reads like a vivid dream.
Poets and Poems: Susan Lewis and “Zoom”
“Zoom” by Susan Lewis contains 57 poems representing a wild romp through words, language, phrases, metaphors, and just about everything else.
Poets and Poems: Mark Burrows and “The Chance for Home”
To read “The Chance for Home” by Mark Burrows is to immerse oneself in the quiet beauty of memory, experience, reflection, and, ultimately, hope.
“The Fall of Arthur” – A Fragment by J.R.R. Tolkien
The legend of King Arthur has captivated imaginations for centuries. Geoffrey of Monmouth started it, and even J.R.R. Tolkien tried his hand at it.
Tanka Poetry Prompt: What’s a Tanka?
This month, we’ll explore the ancient Japanese form called the tanka. This lesser known form might be thought of as haiku’s quiet older sibling.
Slipping In Poem On Your Pillow Day
Poem On Your Pillow Day slipped in quietly, leaving poems, pillows, and quiet bits of love—from Prague and Belfast to New Zealand and North Carolina.
Poets and Poems: Athena Kildegaard and “Course”
The poems of “Course” by Athena Kildegaard provide a kind of natural sanctuary, where one comes to watch and to listen to what the landscape has to say.
Birthdays & Birthstones Poetry Prompt—The Tempest as Fairy Tale
Explore Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and write a fairy tale poem about a royal birth where magic is afoot and things aren’t what they seem.
Birthdays & Birthstones Poetry Prompt: Celebration
Join us as we write about celebrating birthdays, and consider how the formal aspects of our poems add emotional resonance to personal observations.
Poets and Poems: Darren Demaree and “Two Towns Over”
The 56 poems of “Two Towns Over” by poet Darren Demaree powerfully document the devastation of the opioid addiction crisis.
Top 10 Totally Fun Teaching Ideas for National Poetry Month
You’ve got the whole month of April to celebrate National Poetry Month. We’ve got the cut ‘n color poets and top 10 teaching ideas—for you to make it the most fun and informative thirty days ever!
5 Sumptuously Fun Ways to Spend Poet in a Cupcake Day!
It’s Poet in a Cupcake Day! Check out our fun ideas for celebrating, with real cupcakes or a fun printable. Both go wonderfully with our cut n’ color poets.
Take Your Poet to School Week: Eugene Field, the Poet of Childhood
Eugene Field is perhaps the perfect poet for Take Your Poet to School Week. It was the schoolchildren of St. Louis who saved his house from demolition.
Bring in the Cupcakes! It’s Take Your Poet to School Week
It’s Take Your Poet to School Week! Celebrate with themes such as Talk Like a Poet Day, Poet in Your Math Book Day, and of course, sweetest of all, our new public day: Poet in a Cupcake Day!
Take Your Poet to School Week: Shel Silverstein
Celebrate Take Your Poet to School Week “where the sidewalk ends.” Shel Silverstein makes his debut for next week’s big event.