Dec 20 Can a poem make the world a better place by documenting the darknesses around us? By Mary Jo Brooks Daniel Borzutzky's newest poetry collection, “The Performance of Becoming Human” feature themes of economic and political dysfunction. The collection was recently awarded the National Book Award for poetry. Continue reading
Dec 13 In joy and discrimination, poet explores duality of growing up black By Mary Jo Brooks Clinton Smith's debut collection of poetry, "Counting Descent", examines what it means to grow up Black in America. Smith recounts moments from childhood when Black lives were celebrated and juxtaposes them with incidents that have become all too common in… Continue reading
Dec 06 Native poet speaks the language of Standing Rock — and explains how a presidential apology falls short By Mary Jo Brooks Poet Layli Long Soldier's forthcoming collection of poetry called "Whereas" is a critique of President Obama's 2010 apology to Native Americans for their mistreatment by the U.S. government. Continue reading
Nov 28 A poet squeezes the presidential election into a clown car By Mary Jo Brooks Poet Joseph Hutchison says he wrote “The Greatest Show on Earth” four years ago when he was watching yet another chaotic Presidential election process unfold. “It was a response to the circus that we make of elections and how political… Continue reading
Nov 21 Through writing, a poet returns to the Appalachian home she left By Mary Jo Brooks Melissa Range was raised in Appalachian Tennessee, and she says she is constantly exploring through poetry the deep connection she has to that region. “Those mountains have a pull on you. I don’t feel at home there, but I don’t… Continue reading
Nov 15 America, I sing you back By Mary Jo Brooks Allison Adelle Hedge Coke says her poem, "America, I Sing You Back", was born not out of anger but out of concern and a love for her country. Continue reading
Nov 11 Sister’s worry over another deployment inspires this Veterans Day poem By Mary Jo Brooks Gretchen Marquette has written several poems about the complicated feelings she has about her brother fighting in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Continue reading
Nov 01 What baseball is, according to this lifetime fan By Mary Jo Brooks Gail Mazur says she’s been obsessed with baseball her whole life, but she resisted the temptation to write any poems about the game because she worried how it would be received by other poets. Continue reading
Oct 24 This poet releases the beasts to discover her humanity By Mary Jo Brooks Werewolves, mermaids, griffons and minotaurs: Donika Kelly’s debut collection of poetry is filled with mythological creatures. But unlike medieval bestiaries that used creatures to teach moral lessons to others, Kelly says her book is an exploration of her humanity. Continue reading
Oct 17 How this son of immigrants reimagined his parents’ homeland By Mary Jo Brooks Chris Santiago is the son of Filipino immigrants. In his first collection of poems, “Tula,” he wrestles with the tension of being both inside and outside the language and the culture of the Philippines. Continue reading