Filipino American poet Isabella Avila Borgeson, a recent UC Berkeley graduate in ethnic studies, is one of four spoken word artists chosen to perform in conjunction with climate talks now going on in Paris. She was chosen from among candidates who entered a worldwide contest sponsored by the Global Call for Climate Action, a coalition of more … Continue reading Poet, alumna: Spoken word on a devastating superstorm (via Berkeley News)
Sarah Howe has been named young writer of the year for a “luminous” first collection of poetry exploring her dual English and Chinese heritage, Loop of Jade. Howe, 32, was named winner of the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser and Dunlop young writer of the year award on Thursday night. The £5,000 prize, won in the past … Continue reading Poet Sarah Howe named young writer of the year (via The Guardian)
Two Bangladeshi migrant workers and an Indonesian domestic worker nabbed the top three prizes at the finals of the Migrant Worker Poetry Competition held at the National Library on Sunday. 38-year-old Zakir Hossain Khokon won the top spot, an honour he had also received in 2014 at the inaugural Migrant Worker Poetry Competition. His poem, … Continue reading Talent galore at the Migrant Worker Poetry Competition (via Online Citizen)
Saul Williams’ touching poetry, spun through polyrhythms, electronics and piano passages, makes him hard to place in the hip hop world. The New York-based rapper, poet and author has collaborated with musicians like Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor and, most recently, Emily Kokal of indie-rockers Warpaint, but he never lost touch with his roots. Saul … Continue reading Saul Williams is poetry in motion (via Edmonton Sun)
Full Title: Artist Profile: Linda Gregerson confronts life and death through poetry “Prodigal: New and Selected Poems, 1976 to 2014” collects the best work from English Prof. Linda Gregerson’s long and successful career in poetry. The book collects poems from nearly 40 years of published work, which has appeared in magazines such as The New … Continue reading Linda Gregerson confronts life and death through poetry (via The Michigan Daily)
Poetry cannot be hurried; it is no respecter of deadlines. Yet the quantity of poems published each year is daunting and asks for speed. Sometimes, I’ll pick up a volume by someone I’ve never heard of, open it at random and be rooted to the spot. At other times, a collection by a known poet … Continue reading The best poetry books of 2015 (via The Guardian)
The Great Arizona Puppet Theatre diverged from its usual programming on Friday to host the Rise Poetry Event, which showcased a group of poets who sometimes touch on intersectional themes. The event was put on by a collaboration of various artists, but many would agree that Joe Montano III was the inspiration behind the event. Montano is … Continue reading Second annual RISE! Poetry Event connects poets to explore intersectionality (via The State Press)
For almost two decades, Poetry International has placed a spotlight on world class literature. Centered in San Diego but with a global appeal, Poetry International caters to an international community of poets. Founded in 1997, Poetry International has published a wide range of voices, including Kim Addonizio, Robert Bly, Billy Collins, Wanda Coleman, Seamus Heaney, … Continue reading SDSU Poetry International: Students take on poetry projects (via The Daily Aztec)
About 150 Milwaukee Public School students competed at a recent poetry slam organized by America SCORES Milwaukee, an organization that combines poetry, soccer and service learning. A panel of judges selected 17 students who will move on to the next round, where they will compete to perform at the organization’s national poetry slam in New … Continue reading Youth poetry slam gives ‘poet-athletes’ a voice (via Milwaukee NNS)
On a sunny morning, Ghislene Moret examined the mounds of flowers and notes scattered along Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, where terrorists gunned down nearly half-a-dozen diners earlier this month. “This is all about love,” she said. “Love overcomes hate. We’re still standing. That is the essential message.” Attached to a mailbox nearby was … Continue reading Postcard from Paris: Healing Pain With Poetry (via Voice of America)
