While there is so much joy associated with writing, there is one pitfall that we all fall prey to—the dreaded writer’s block. It can strike at any moment and fill our hearts with frustration. But never fear! Sometimes, all we

Grief is a personal journey with no right or wrong way to process emotional healing. Everyone will need time to go through their experience at their own pace. Grief is not a straight line. It might look different every single

When you think about poetry, you might be used to exploring themes of romantic, deep, complex emotions, mythology, self-love, identity and the like. But sometimes these explorations of the self or the world can be expressed through an otherworldliness lense:

Poetry ignites so much life and emotion in the hearts of its readers. It is active and alive with imagery. There are many creative ways that people bring poetic works to life. You might see them on sculptures, walls, coffee

These 10 female Pulitzer Prize winners have made waves in American Literature. By connecting to their readers in their own unique ways, their collections have stood the test of time and landed them among the most highly esteemed poets of

This week, I am honored to talk with Angie Waters, also known as A. Shea, about a topic that is close to her heart: chronic illness.

If the work is going badly, I stay until 12:30. If it’s going well, I’ll stay as long as it’s going well. It’s lonely, and it’s marvelous. I edit while I’m working. When I come home at 2, I read

Writing is a lot like running: it goes over better if you stretch first. It’s not easy to dive into a blank page cold, and it can be frustrating to expect a full-fledged poem on your first try.

Like poetry, meditation often provides solace in the loud demands of the everyday. It comes as no surprise that poetry and meditation make a perfect combination. When we pair poetry with a meditative mindset, we get the chance to experience

Whether you’re a beginning writer or a longtime poet, finding competitions, community, and advice is an ongoing process. Reading others’ work, entering competitions, and participating in workshops can help you hone and maintain your writing skills.

Armed with a microphone and speaker, poets spill their words from ear to ear across the lawn. A voice carries a message of love with a goal to stomp out the flames of bigotry. A poet, who is about fifteen,

“The 24-hour news cycle,” “fake news,” “news alerts”—these phrases seem to sweep through our society, inspiring op-eds, psychological studies, and political talking points. 

Literature, including poetry, has long been a vehicle for thought-provoking political resistance and commentary outside of the dominant and privileged perspective.

Whether you’re in the mood for succinct style, musical meter, or mind-blowing metaphors, July’s poetry releases offer a promising lineup.

If you are like me, your moods seem to change many times throughout the day. Sometimes it is helpful to make the time to confront what you are feeling and take a gentle, introspective look at why you are having

Poetry is a beautiful form of expression, and there are many poetic tools and forms that you can utilize to help you explore the depths of your writing. Switching things up is a good way to look at your writing

Introverted yet unapologetic, K.Y. Robinson is a Texas-based writer and self-proclaimed poet laureate of her apartment. Her debut poetry collection, The Chaos of Longing, has been reviewed as “relatable,” “on-the-spot,” and “inspiring.”

As the popular phrase goes, “music is language.” But what about language as music? If you are an aspiring songwriter, reading poetry can help you a great deal. From sounds to rhythms to cadences, there are countless intersections between poetry

A two-time National Poetry Slam champion, a four-time published author (The Bones Below, New Shoes on a Dead Horse, We Slept Here, Today Means Amen), and an internationally touring poet, Sierra DeMulder uses her platform to be both an educator

Poetry, as we know, can be healing and meditative, transformative and rejuvenating. Reciting poetry out loud can act as a type of meditation practice to keep the mind and body feeling centered. Therefore, here is a little information on each chakra

It’s a common misconception that poetry and popular culture are mutually exclusive—that high art and refined taste are reserved for the elite, and pop culture is candy made for the masses. But if we take a closer look, we’ll find

Parents are complicated. These flawed people that gave us life or provided us with a home can bring on series of emotions, ones that we can grapple with our entire lives. 

“Poetry feels like lightning to me — It's this incredible jolt of feeling and emotion and power and recognition”

My own experiences were and are the very source of my need to write in the first place. What else can we draw from in writing than our own experiences?

Wine has so many distinct characteristics and flavor profiles. There is something for everyone, and it got me thinking: which poetry collections would be the perfect complement to some of our favorite wines?

“My own path has always been one of death and rebirth, rising and falling. It brings me comfort to recognize that these ‘ends’ aren’t ends at all, but just another necessary part of the process, like the turning of seasons,

Many of us use poets’, musicians’, and artists’ words to help us define who we or give meaning to our personal experiences. Not all of us go boldly to a tattoo parlor and ask for these words to be bound

Imagine if Ginsberg never lived in New York, or if Thoreau never visited Walden Pond, or if Maya Angelou never left the little town of Stamps, Arkansas—how different would American literature be? American poets typically have a certain flavor to

In the age of technology, there’s no excluding technology from the human experience. Though Wetch critiqued technology’s role in today’s society, he does believe technology has its upsides.

Whether you’re near the shore or a landlocked poetry-lover, it's hard to deny the powerful imagery of the sea. For some, a trip to the beach means summer, sunshine, warmth, and positivity. But for others, writing seaside channels a sense

“In my work, I want to shed light on stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness,” she said. “For so many years, the stigma swallowed me whole and I felt like I had no one else to turn to. I want

From civil rights to women’s liberation to Black Lives Matter, poetry has been a way to rail against complacency and oppression. These six poets—brave enough to share personal experiences, unpopular points of view, and lesser-known narratives—have shed light on the

From empowerment to identity to understanding the past, these poetry and prose collections will keep you reading and inspired all month long. Enjoy these new poetry releases this June.

One of the best ways to connect with other poetry lovers? Be part of a poetry book club! In the day and age of social media, there are many different ways to connect with other avid poetry lovers. Not to

For me, poetry stands out as a critical component of self-care. The intellectual engagement and attention that poetry demands means that when I’m reading it, my mind wanders away from work, chores, and anxiety, making poetry the perfect antidote to

June is Audiobook Month, so to celebrate we’re giving you four poetry audiobook suggestions to play over and over again this summer.

As Orson Welles famously noted, “A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet." Shall we see if these films stand up to the test?

For many people, June is better known as Pride Month, originally designated to commemorate the Stonewall Riots. While the rich inspiration and history remains, Pride Month has evolved to celebrate and lift up the outstanding accomplishments and complex identities of

From poetry’s rhythmic cadence and stunning lyricism to the popularity of spoken word poetry, sometimes the best poems are like songs, and experts and amateurs, alike have discussed the connection between poetry and music for years.

I really latched onto the presence of my grandfather. He came to all my baseball games. Which was my first true dance with romanticism. The smell of that grass, the leather- everything. His appreciation for it became mine. Their love

With summer right around the corner, promising relaxation and sunshine, it’s the perfect time to try out some new fruity cocktails while chipping away at those TBR stacks.

Books—and poetry, in particular—can play a bigger role than just a plane ride distraction if we let them.

Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to give our attention to the importance of mental health and stop the stigma often associated with mental health issues. Every mental health journey is different and so is the way we practice

Poems like Jones’s “Boy in a Stolen Evening Gown” blur the gender binary and help the speaker make both sense and celebration out of “the chiffon body [they’ve] borrowed.”

From photography and graphic design to writing and videography, Jenna Clare laid out a masterful body of work in her self-published collection. She even found time to make a documentary, journalling her creative process.

Poetry can be just as much of a page-turner as fiction, or, even better, it can keep us glued to a line or stanza, paused in reflection.

Reimagine what today’s writers look like, where their words have taken them. Uncovering the seemingly endless possibilities of what an artist is today,  Leticia Sala is a prime example of the unapologetic voice of the future of poetry.

  “I think poetry is one of the best mediums to clearly and succinctly convey an idea or feeling. “   Wilson Oryema is a writer and multidisciplinary artist based in London, who specializes in image, text, and film. His poetry collection

737 The Moon was but a Chin of Gold A Night or two ago— And now she turns Her perfect Face Upon the World below— Her Forehead is of Amplest Blonde— Her Cheek—a Beryl hewn— Her Eye unto the Summer Dew The likest I have known— Her Lips of

Trigger warning: sexual assault   As poetry evolves, many new debates about the art form erupt. Just as ideas about the legitimacy of self-publishing and Instagram poetry have challenged long-held literary traditions, the differences between online poetry journals and print poetry journals

F.D. Soul is a New Zealand poetess and author of two poetry collections. Her latest collection Between You and These Bones is a raw illustration of wisdom and poetry—musicality interwoven to read like a meditation. Her poems question the relationship

For fans of the Enneagram, the nine types can provide guidance on everything from budgeting to dating. But what if it could also serve as a personalized recommendation for your next favorite poem?

Pierre Alex Jeanty is an influential voice in the poetry community who has taken the modern poetry movement by storm. He writes primarily to shed light on the lessons he has learned about life, love, and what it means to

Dawn Lanuza writes contemporary romance, young adult fiction, and poetry. Lanuza is known for her ability to connect with readers on a personal level. In 2016, her first poetry collection, The Last Time I’ll Write About You, debuted #1 on

As its name might suggest, Revolution Records, located in the downtown Crossroads area of Kansas City, can best be described as revolutionary.

Wilder is a poet and a creative whose work explores the light and beauty in our everyday lives and situations. She has two poetry collections, Nocturnal and Wild Is She. Her writing inspires readers to embrace the wild within and

If you ask the average person what they learned about poetry in school, they might remember suffering through a few 17th-century English poets and barely squeaking by with the help of SparkNotes. But poetry in the classroom doesn’t have to

From comic books to Legend of Zelda fanfiction to wrestling to graphic design, Cyrus Parker’s poetry journey is a unique one. He discovered his love for poetry after encountering a crossroads in his life, a time when all options seemed

As Mother’s Day approaches, I started to reflect on the magnitude of what it means to be a mother. I thought about all of the women who take on the role with such strength, selflessness, and grace.

If you place a finger on the pulse of underground poetry in Kansas City, you’ll hear a steady growing beat from One Mic Stand KC. This up-and-coming open mic for poets and musicians has been featuring some of the freshest

“I Used to Love H.E.R.” by Common, a love song for hip-hop, has become my love anthem for poetry. Poetry made me fall in love with language more than anything else. I explored my relationships and failures on and off

Poetry, to me, is a way in which we can view the world to help us better understand the messiness, the pain, and the beauty that exists in it.

About a year ago, I became determined to make social media a more positive, interesting outlet, and, for me, that meant following lots of literary accounts.

No matter who we are or where we come from, our religion, race or language, we seek to share our stories and pieces of our lives with one another.  

More and more poets are speaking out in their work about abuse, mental illness, eating disorders, and trauma, among other struggles. Not only is this a truly brave act, but it is liberating others to do the same. The poetry

Poetry and feminism have a natural connection. The art form has often been noted as a form of resistance and a powerful way to give voice to the oppressed.

From the lyric poetry of ancient Greece to modern day hip-hop, poetry and music have been intertwined for centuries. Both music and poetry make use of rhythm, repetition, and wordplay to communicate emotion and resonate with the audience. However, a

It was evident that between the reaction in the room during the entire event and the collective voices that filled the day, spoken word is important to the poetry community, to keep our stories and words alive.  “Go to where

I was watching a TV show one night about a poet healer, although the show didn’t say this person was a poet healer. This person in their tribe sang the poem, and what was astounding was that they became what

How we choose to use our words and present them to the world matters. It matters more than we might even realize at first, which is why it is empowering to see so many poets discussing the topic of body

“I believe that poetry is one of our great art forms and that our lives can be positively transformed by taking time to read and appreciate poems.”

Poetry’s most popular themes come to mind easily: love, death, and—of course—nature. Though nature’s role as poetic inspiration can be traced back to the BC era, it gained popularity in the 19th century, when pastoral poetry showcased rural life and

The owners of Our Daily Nada envisioned the space, part bookstore and part bar, as both an escape and an opportunity for customers to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Traditional and structured, this short form of Japanese poetry is well-known for its rule of 5/7/5: five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five again in the third. Haikus are known for their ability to paint

April is National Poetry Month, and what better way to celebrate than Poem in Your Pocket Day? Poem in Your Pocket Day is celebrated every April; this year the official date is April 18th. This day strives to celebrate the

Sylvia Plath’s raw, frank, and visceral use of free verse also give her poems a depth of feeling matched by few others.

Though Maya Angelou’s work spans past The Civil Rights Movement, her poetry has always been revolutionary, especially her famous poem, “Caged Bird”, in which she explores the liberation of black people from slavery.

My audience is not afraid of the truth, and they have faith in the power of healing.

As an artist, finding a home where your artistry can live and breathe is a task only rivaled by finding your voice as a creative. For me, working as a creative has less to do with being an artist, and

Poet and performer Alison Malee captures the past, present, and future with a truthful yet delicate touch. The author of Shifting Bone (2016) and The Day is Ready for You (2018) is now on her third book of poetry, titled

Poetry written during the transcendentalist movement is easy to spot; it’s filled with striking sensory imagery that often blurs the line between the speaker and nature.

One beautiful thing about the written word is how it connects us and brings us all together. It creates this incredible bond, and, for writers, it gives us an escape and a way to flood our passion onto waves of

Writers’ Block is a Nebraska Writers’ Collective program that leads incarcerated individuals to self-expression through creative writing and poetry.

Mention poetry to an in-the-know Kansas Citian, and Poetic Underground often comes to mind. The writing and performance community, which hosts poetry slams and open mics, has become well-known in Kansas City for both its inclusiveness and energy.

Marala Scott is on a mission: to spread the message of gratitude. She wants her readers to know that, even in the midst of challenges, there is still strength to be found within themselves, especially when they learn to cultivate

Happy National Poetry Month! If you're new here, welcome. If you’ve been with us for a while (thank you, by the way), you probably have noticed that our site has a new look.

It seems as though we can’t talk about modern poetry without talking about social media. Social platforms, particularly Instagram, have changed the way we consume poetry, making this genre more accessible than ever.

Child of the Moon is set against the backdrop of the Lebanese Civil War amongst Semaan's turbulent family life. Her poetry is a journey through shame, fear and crawling away from despair—of healing from childhood trauma.

One of the most constant things about poetry is change. It evolves with time, and that is why it continues to remain relevant across centuries. When I was younger, I remember a phase when I was in school and loved

Prose writers can use poetry as a tool to enhance and better their writing in a number of ways. Here is a list of ways to use poetry to improve your prose.

Love is one of the hardest feelings to put into words, but poetry is a great way to try.

In case you haven’t heard, the holidays are upon us. For many the holidays are a time of reunion, reflection, love, and joy. It’s easy to think about the holidays and to picture a family, perfectly framed in a bay

I cannot speak for everyone but I love participating in poetry-writing competitions because each time is a learning experience. They help me explore new writing ideas and formats and encourage me to keep writing.

Poetry is a timeless art form that connects people with the world around them. It is ever-evolving—changing and growing with new generations of writers and readers.

Words often fall short when it comes to expressing grief. There is no right way to respond, but sometimes poetry can help us capture the feelings we struggle to define. Here is a collection 10 of beautiful poems on grief

“You do not have to constantly create new content in order to be a worthwhile artist." - Caitlin Conlon

If you’re anything like me, it took you a while to “get” poetry. If I’m honest, a lot of it still confuses me or seems to fall flat. I don't blame us, though, when the first poetry we are introduced

As an avid reader and lover of poetry, I can read it on any occasion. In cooler months, I love to curl up with a book and warm beverage.

Recently I went to Chiang Mai, a natural haven in the mountainous parts of northern Thailand. I was there on a 10-day retreat in an exquisite, picturesque accommodation located on a hilltop.

Poetry can make us feel emotions the way no other genre can. Poems connect us to each other and the world around us, taking us on a journey, line by line.