As editors who review poetry for The Atlantic, we read a lot of poems. Each week, there are new PDFs in our inboxes; our desks are covered with chaotic piles of books we’ve yet to crack open, and our shelves are already packed with old favorites. We’re also frequently asked, “What poetry should I read?” … Continue reading Ten Poetry Collections to Read Again and Again (via The Atlantic)
TOPLINE Short, straightforward poetry is TikTok’s latest literary trend, attracting plenty of fans and critics alike, though some poets say the popularity of poems as short as one sentence long has made it far too easy for others to plagiarize. KEY FACTS Poets are finding a huge following on TikTok: The #poetry hashtag has more than 48 … Continue reading Bite-Sized TikTok Poetry Blows Up—Along with Growing Claims of Plagiarism (via Forbes)
Full Title: "‘His effect is seismic.’ Columbus mourns poetry and theater giant Charles ‘Is Said’ Lyons (Via Columbus Dispatch)" Columbus, Ohio When Julie Whitney-Scott was a teenager, she read a poem at an event hosted by poet and playwright Charles “Is Said” Lyons. “He said, ‘I really like that. You're pretty good,’” said Whitney-Scott, now … Continue reading Columbus mourns poetry and theater giant Charles ‘Is Said’ Lyons (Via Columbus Dispatch)
Please join us in sending major congratulations to the phenomenal J. Ivy, for taking home the inaugural Best Spoken Word Poetry Album award at the 65th annual Grammy celebration! Please check out his album, "The Poet Who Sat by the Door." We are extremely proud of all of the history-making nominees! J. Ivy, the Chicagoan … Continue reading Chicago Poet J. Ivy Wins Grammy (via Chicago Sun Times)
At Gov. Kathy Hochul's historic inauguration [in early January], a lyrically gifted 9-year-old from Harlem stole the show. His name is Kayden Hern. "In my mind, I used to be a child of poverty, not knowing that hopes and dreams can become reality," Hern told the crowd rhythmically, peering over the top of the podium. … Continue reading 9-year-old Kayden Hern, of Harlem, performs at 2023 New York State Inaugural Ceremonies (via CBS)
Ada Limón told her speaking agent she couldn’t take the mysterious late-morning phone call. She had physical therapy. Her agent suggested, gently, that she reschedule. She did. And hopped onto a Zoom call with seven people, including Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, PhD (Limón calls her “the hero of librarians”), who told her that she … Continue reading Can Poetry Heal a Broken World? (via Elle)
Full Title: "At Poets Bookshop in Bishop Arts, a Writer Creates a Community Around Poetry (via D Magazine)" Dallas, TX Marco Cavazos never set out to publish a book of poetry. He’d write poems at the end of a long day, using the medium to navigate complicated emotions spurred by events in his life. Cavazos … Continue reading Poets Bookshop: a Community Around Poetry (via D Magazine)
Dr. Traci Brimhall, a Western Michigan University alumna, has made a career out of her passion for poetry. And, now, the entire state of Kansas is ready to hear her. Brimhall, a Kansas State University professor, was recently named Kansas Poet Laureate for 2023-2026, a prestigious post awarded by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission to … Continue reading Alumna with passion for poetry named Kansas Poet Laureate (via WMU News)
2022's poetry was bold and beautiful, lending itself to: healing (see: Duke's secret gift and Ladder De Poet); transparency (see: Tiara's triumph); courage (see: Olivia's Ode); and excitement (see: Pegasus Poets and the inaugural cohort of "Grammy game changers"). Though this year was not without its hardship, poets largely embraced celebration and reflection; helping to … Continue reading 2022 Poetry Wrap: Year in Review
The four designated stages inside the crowded stadium complex in the heart of the busy capital weren’t enough. So the poetry lovers also took to the footpaths and the spaces in between, turning them into impromptu open-mic platforms for India’s embattled language of love. In one corner of the festival grounds, which had been draped … Continue reading Where Romantic Poetry in a Fading Language Draws Stadium Crowds (via NY Times)
