6 Poems for Beyoncé’s Birthday
Every year on September 4th, we celebrate the birth of Beyoncé, aka Queen Bey. One of the world’s most influential artists, Beyoncé is more than a singer—she is a symbol of fierce femininity, unbridled power, and artistic expression. So in
Poetry as Activism: Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs Talks Gender-Based Violence, the She Will Speak Anthology, and the Importance of Telling Your Story
“There is no one in the world who can tell your story, but there are people in the world who need to hear it.” Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs is on a mission to remind you of four important things: you are needed,
7 Netflix and Poetry Pairings for Your Next Night In
When you have two things that you are passionate about, it is only natural to want to introduce them to one another. Poetry, meet Netflix. Just like poetry, the popular streaming site has something for everyone. You may be surprised
Why Multilingual Poetry Matters
You may have read poetry in different forms, from different regions, and from writers of diverse sexualities, races, and genders, but there’s yet another way to revolutionize your canon—what about poetry in different languages? Bilingual poetry has strengthened and challenged the
Verses Against Violence: 4 Powerful Anti-Gun Poems
*Trigger warning *: This post references the current gun violence epidemic in the United States. Dayton. El Paso. Gilroy. Parkland. It seems like every time I read a headline, a different city is reeling from another mass shooting. With reports that
The Poetry of #MeToo: Powerful Poets Speak Out
The #MeToo movement, founded by activist and TIME’s 2017 Person of the Year Tarana Burke, has spoken truth to power by confronting predatory men and opening secrets of sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in industries from film to fast food.
The 5 Hottest Slam Poetry Events in Los Angeles, California
If you’re looking to find the Golden State’s local rhythm, look no further. Los Angeles offers a handful of impressive poetry slams for those looking for a friendly competition. With slams geared toward high school students, hip-hop artists, Filipino poets
4 Reasons Not to Fly Over the Midwestern Poetry Scene
When people think of poetry epicenters, New York City and Los Angeles are likely the first literary birthing grounds that come to mind. Though these amazing cities on either side of the country regularly top lists of the most literary
Writing Through Trauma: When the Klan Comes to Town
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,
Poetry on the Front Page: Poets Confront the Headlines
“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.
Patriotism, Protest, and Perspective: 4 Poems to Reflect on This July
Literature, including poetry, has long been a vehicle for thought-provoking political resistance and commentary outside of the dominant and privileged perspective.
From Emily Dickinson to Tupac: Poetry in American Pop Culture
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