About Poetry

Elegy for a Curbside Poet

Nov 02, 2020

Essay by Khalil Elayan

I think now, in this time of violence and protest, of what Steve Cannon would say about the madness of some and the resolve of others.

Writer's Life, About Poetry, Grief | Read More

Ben Purkert: Sinister, Brutal, and Honest

Dec 03, 2018

TW Interview by David Cameron

Whoever is holding the book is the beloved in some sense.

Featured Interview, Authors, About Poetry | Read More

Do Poems Need to Be Accessible?

Nov 13, 2017

Response by Neil de la Flor

It's a poem about the transformational power of speaking out in the face of thousands of 'fans' booing you.

Media Debate, About Poetry, Communication | Read More

How Transparent Should Poetry Be?

Nov 13, 2017

Essay by Steve Lewis

Only a smattering of folks across the country understand the language, and I’m sorry to say that doesn’t include many academics.

Media Debate, About Poetry, Communication | Read More

Kathleen Spivack: Shaping What You Write

Oct 02, 2017

TW Interview by Jennifer Jean

You really have to swim down into yourself when you’re writing, which is why people confuse it all with mental illness.

Featured Interview, About Poetry, Illness | Read More

Jane Hicks: “I’m a Teacher at Heart”

Feb 15, 2016

TW Interview by Denton Loving

I want to inform students that history didn’t happen in a vacuum and is not confined to events in history books.

Teaching, About Poetry | Read More

The Usefulness of Poetry

Feb 01, 2016

Essay by Gloria Heffernan

Where does the unpublished writer find the validation to go on writing?

Why I Write, About Poetry | Read More

In Search of Small Stones

Dec 24, 2014

Theme Essay by Carla M. Wilson

Happy holidays from Talking Writing! As a gift to yourself, try the writerly 'New Year's Challenge' offered with this piece.

Writing and Faith, Advice, About Poetry | Read More

Chana Bloch: “The Poem Begins to Shape You”

Dec 17, 2014

TW Interview by Carol Dorf

Whatever kind of poetry you write, it’s hard not to get discouraged.

Featured Interview, About Poetry, Illness | Read More

Poetry as Prayer

Jan 27, 2014

Theme Essay by Ellen McGrath Smith

I write poetry because it’s what I do, just as frogs croak and mathematicians ponder numbers.

Writing and Faith, About Poetry | Read More

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