William Stafford had a unique poetic voice that transcended literary movements. “Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems” provides a window into that voice.
Poetry for Life: “Wasted Beauty” at Tavern of Fine Arts
We found poetry in our own community, both formal and informal, historical and contemporary. And we found it at the Tavern of Fine Arts.
The Fierce Convictions of Hannah More
“She may be the most famous person I never heard of.” Karen Swallow Prior’s biography of Hannah More, “Fierce Convictions, ” brings a life back into the knowledge it deserves.
The World War I Poets in the War
Max Egremont’s “Some Desperate Glory” combines history, biography and poetry to describe the World War I that the war poets experienced.
Poets and Poems: Aaron Belz and “Glitter Bomb”
Aaron Belz, often associated with the New York School, has a new collection of poems, “Glitter Bomb.” And it is a fun collection to read.
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.
The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa
Got an interest in haiku? The Essential Haiku is a great place to start. That, and the soup bowl.
The Surprising Poetry of Arianna Huffington’s ‘Thrive’
When you think Huffington Post, what comes to mind? It might not be poetry. But poetry is at the heart of Arianna Huffington and her book Thrive.
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.
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”
Top 10 YA and Children’s Books
Kimberlee Conway Ireton shares her top 10 YA and children’s books (actually, 17 or so).
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.
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.
Poets and Poems: Thomas Merton and “In the Dark Before Dawn”
Thomas Merton continues to exert a significant pull on the imagination, the intellect, and the conscience.
Poets and Poems: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and “Prussian Nights”
“Prussian Nights” by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn reminds us that victory in war doesn’t automatically mean moral superiority over an enemy.
Poets and Poems: J.P. Dancing Bear’s “The Abandoned Eye”
The poems in J.P. Dancing Bear’s “The Abandoned Eye” cut like razor blades, removing what we use to hide and obscure.
Poets and Poems: “Caribou” by Charles Wright
“Caribou, ” the new collection of poems by Charles Wright, is about memory, what has passed, and what is gone, and the realizations that come only with age.
Poets and Poems: L.L. Barkat’s “Love, Etc.”
Love Etc. reminds us what eternity is, and what part of it is contained within ourselves.
Poets and Poems: Brian Gardner’s “Up the Line to Death: The War Poets 1914-1918”
Brian Gardner’s “Up the Line to Death” preserves many great poets and poems of World War I.
Poets and Poems: Nicholas Samaras’ “American Psalm World Psalm”
Poets and Poems considers a new collection of 150 poems by Nicholas Samaras, each in the form of a psalm. “American Psalm, World Psalm” speaks to the heart.