From Stanzas to Screen: Four Fun TV Recs for Poets
Of course, reading and writing usually stand out as a poet’s most beloved pastimes. However, turning to different modes of entertainment can help fend off burn-out. Sometimes, the urge strikes to curl up with take-out and a favorite show. When
Stanzas for Social Change: 4 Movements Poetry Helped Shape
Poetry has long served as a tool for social justice. At Read Poetry, we’ve celebrated poetry’s powerful impact on Black Lives Matter, reproductive rights, and queer rights. Today’s poets regularly take inspiration from modern headlines—from the #MeToo movement to the
3 Poems About Health Care Workers in the Time of Coronavirus
In 2020, we’ve seen how the coronavirus pandemic has become a health crisis throughout the world. Nearly every country has dealt with this crisis, and right now, the United States is the global leader in cases, according to CNN. States
Sidewalk Poetry: What it is and how to do it
Literature and public art come together to beautify the outdoors in the form of sidewalk poetry. What is it, exactly? Well, it’s pretty simple. Sidewalk poetry is poetry found along sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, or other outdoor and public or
Poetry Pairings: Art Edition
Whether holding a brush or a pen, both painters and poets have a special knack for capturing a moment and turning it into something much greater—be it a story, a memory, or mythology. Visual art and poetry have a long
Poetic Pandemic: How Coronavirus Has Already Impacted Poetry
Coronavirus has changed nearly every aspect of our lives within months. We celebrated Pride Month and National Poetry Month from home, struggled with mental health, and found new, imaginative ways to share support. But as much as the pandemic challenges
Anti-Racist Poetry
The Black Lives Matter movement has increased social awareness about police brutality, systemic racism, and white privilege in the United States. The homicide of George Floyd ignited worldwide protests to mourn his death and to create change in our justice
6 Ways To Support Poets During the Pandemic
During times of high stress, instability, and media overload, taking the time to read and meditate on poetry can be a radical act of self-care. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman can remind us how it feels to connect with
Celebrate Pride Month at Home with these LGBTQ+ Poets
Every June, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies celebrate Pride Month in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. According to the Library of Congress website, “celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ+ Pride
12+ Ways to Support Black Lives Matter Protestors
This weekend, Black Lives Matter protestors gathered around the world to fight police brutality, systemic racism, and the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. But as I scrolled through Twitter, tweeting, retweeting, and scrolling past horrific
The New York School Poets: Who They Were and What They Can Teach Us
New York School poets and painters, (l. to r.): Kenneth Koch, Larry Rivers (holding sign), John Ashbery, Jane Freilicher, Lelia Telberg, and Nell Blaine. Courtesy of the John Ashbery Estate/Flow Chart Foundation. When discussing poetic movements, literary scholars and fans frequently
The Mystery of Poetry
Seventy-three years ago, this April 15th, the son of a Georgia sharecropper made his Major League Baseball debut as a Brooklyn Dodger. Each April 15th since 2007, every Major Leaguer wears the number 42, the day set aside to honor