Join author Callie Feyen as she shares an excerpt from The Teacher Diaries, and explores the dreams we have that both help and haunt us.
“The Heart’s Necessities”: A Death, a Song, a Poem, and a Book
“The Heart’s Necessities” brings together the poetry and life story of Jane Tyson Clement and the music of Becca Stevens.
Poetry Prompt: What Does A Dream Look Like?
Dreams are shape-shifters and snitches. Join Callie Feyen and explore the many forms a dream can take shape, through poetry.
Poets and Poems: Ollie Bowen and “On the Occasion of a Wedding”
“On the Occasion of a Wedding,” the debut collection by poet Ollie Bowen, celebrates various kinds of love shared by two people.
By Heart: “Kindness” + Wordsworth Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns Naomi Shihab Nye’s “Kindness” By Heart and throws in a few thoughts on “The Sound of Music.”
Poets and Poems: Chad Abushanab and “The Last Visit”
“The Last Visit,” the debut collection by poet Chad Abushanab, explores the pain and brokenness of growing up in the family of an alcoholic.
Poets and Poems: Rachael Allen and “Kingdomland”
The poems of “Kingdomland” by Rachael Allen depict a strange landscape, one that is both unfamiliar and oddly recognizable.
Poetry Notebook Prompt: Noticing + Wondering
Author Callie Feyen uses her gray matter—”Bink & Gollie” style—to explain how poetry and feelings are related. And how to make great Dutch braids.
Poets and Poems: Incognito and “Paradox”
“Paradox” by the poet Incognito forces the reader to focus on the poems themselves by stripping away the identity of the poet.
Poets and Poems: Ilya Kaminsky and “Deaf Republic”
In his new collection “Deaf Republic,” Ilya Kaminsky combines poetic form and thematic substance to tell a story of oppression and hope.
Walking in the Dark: A Path Into Poetry
Walking (especially in the dark) is author Megan Willome’s path to poetry. Her steps begin in early morning moonlight and sometimes trace past a windmill.
Poets and Poems: Harry Clifton and “Herod’s Dispensations”
In “Herod’s Dispensations,” poet Harry Clifton considers Herod and his systems of ordering, and then considers the world we know today.
Poetry Prompt: Dream Poems
Join author Callie Feyen and walk, run, stumble, and maybe even twirl towards your dreams in our Monday poetry prompt.
Poets and Poems: Michael Glaser and “The Threshold of Light”
“The Threshold of Light,” a new chapbook by poet Michael Glaser, includes 21 poems filled with light as awareness, knowledge, energy, life, and grace.
Poets and Poems: Chris Dombrowski and “Ragged Anthem”
The 52 poems of “Ragged Anthem” by Chris Dombrowski describe the fragility and impermanence of life, in spite of an individual’s resilience.
The Power of Curiosity: “Can I Touch Your Hair?” by Irene Latham & Charles Waters
Author Laura Brown discusses how curiosity deepens friendship, using the children’s book “Can I Touch Your Hair: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship.”
Poets and Poems: Shanna Powlus Wheeler and “Evensong for Shadows”
Shanna Powlus Wheeler’s first full poetry collection, “Evensong for Shadows,” suggests the omnipresence of grief — a measure of the loss of love or happiness or relationship, and very much a part of life.
Horace Traubel and the Final Words of Walt Whitman
Thanks to Horace Traubel, we know much about Walt Whitman’s last years, Brenda WIneapple says in “Walt Whitman Speaks.”
From Mountain to Mountain: The Power of Poetry for People Affected by Trauma
Poet James Elsaesser, of the DASI Prevention Team in New Jersey, discusses the power of poetry to move people affected by trauma from mountain to mountain.
The 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry: “Be With” by Forrest Gander
“Be With” by Forrest Gander won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. The quietly stunning collection stimulates reflection and introspection on every page.