News Archive

Trinidad Sanchez Jr., poet and activist, dies.

In Tibet, poetry blogs are suddenly shut down.

Pakistani poet refuses award in protest of the current regime, calling it a “pseudo democracy” and a “house of cards.”

Walk 'til you drop: poetry tourism in Wales.

Review of Poets and Writers. Verdict: an important mag, but if the articles make you laugh, your medication may be kicking in.

“The ability to think metaphorically isn’t reserved for poets.” Scientists do it, too.

In Mosquito, Alex Lemon “describes in visceral detail” his “bout with the Reaper.”

On Studio 360, a closer look at Emily Dickinson and her whole Grim Reaper obsession.

Donald Hall on new poems, 10K reading fees, and girlfriends who were jealous of Jane, Jane, Jane.

St. Paul poet laureate: “We know the notion of no new taxes / stifles progress and strangles compassion.”

Study says reading books in public places may lead to getting lucky in the sack.

Restoring Emily Dickinson’s house: $705,000 in, only $13 million to go.

What do you call a poetry workshop where only one person shows up?

Lebanese poet declares poetry is something to live for, even during the pain of wartime.

Harold Bloom on John Kinsella: “a prodigy of the imagination.”

Frenchman writes 3,261 foot long poem after feeling a burning desire to express himself.

“Dark, lonely lines precede phrases tickled with nervous laughter.”–Jenna Krajeski on Charles Wright

Poems written in a North Korean P.O.W. camp.

Great Neck’s own M.C. Problem Child: “I ain’t a little dumb white kid who thinks he can rhyme.”

“Some writers whinge on and on about how to write a political poem. Szymborska knows how: Write with a light hand, a passionate heart, and faith in the reader.”–John Timpane on Monologue of a Dog

Haughty novelist decides to rewrite the Iliad and remove repetitions.

Live from the scary-sounding Aspen Ideas Festival: Dana Gioia interviewed on Studio 360.

Young poet with a Hurricane Katrina story.

AAA decides Emily Dickinson's a “travel destination.”

Tennessee's first poet laureate of Christian country music.

John Kinsella and his Australian e-mail stalkers, who use phrases like “don’t give a flying fox.”

Trial begins in murder of spoken-word poet.

As he mans the door, bouncer writes poems on scraps of paper.

Poet laureate of Riker’s Island.

From Johannesburg: “So whose idea was Women’s Month, huh? Who decided to subject us to a month of bad poetry?”

Welsh woman enters poetry competition because she likes a challenge, and ends up winning a crown worthy of that crazy guy on Project Runway.

When the Gramercy Park Hotel renovation drives him over the edge, Ian Schrager turns to Rudyard Kipling.

Australian poets continue bickering over Kinsella memoir, a book that includes details of “literary grants squandered on prostitutes.”

In Austin, National Poetry Slam 06 is underway, and they are using the language of boxing matches.

When the sonnet says “flower,” flash a picture of a flower: man makes film of Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 65” and posts it on Google.

It wasn’t just about half-naked men sitting in the forest banging drums: an appreciation of Bly’s Iron John.

Simon Armitage on writing lyrics and failing to become a rock star.

Political poems: art or propaganda?

A writer with time on his hands: ultra-long Donald Hall limerick.

Poetry at Reggae Sunsplash: “Rise up / get up offa yu silk sheet / it is blood in the street.”

Poets sign on to support ailing Castro and his “Island of Freedom.”

A new biography of George Mackay Brown. As a boy he was “something of a footballer.” When he grew up, he had an alcoholic muse, lived in a remote locale, and made handmade Christmas cards.

“Pentonville Poet” impresses judge with verse, gets sentence reduced.

Death of celebrated African poet.

Guardian poetry roundup praises Chris McCabe: “The whole book zooms by sparking with spot-on phrases.”

Rhyme: Pro or Con?

“I couldn’t stand operas where characters sang things like ‘Pass me that spanner, Malcolm.’”—Simon Armitage on writing a libretto.

Ted Hughes poems discovered in the notebook of a teenage crush. She remembers: “He was so serious and always looked a bit miserable.”

It is the poor work of his contemporaries that made Shakespeare great.

Montreal street named after poet Irving Layton.

Wendell Berry receives award for “contributions to rural life.”

Bukowski the man, the lifestyle brand.

Learn to think like a poet. Just don’t think too hard.

The plainly named “poets from Denver” win National Poetry Slam, beat out NeoSoul/Southflavas.

For all poets writing on Dell notebooks, don’t get your fingers burnt to a crisp.

Poet Shamsur Rahman on death’s door.

Would-be London beverage bomber pens poems to old flame.

Elderly man wins contest writing about wine, cheese, and love.

From communism to scientology: Australian poet takes a look back.

Poet’s former husband denies her murder.

A gorilla reads a Bukowski poem.

Thousands mourn the death of Bangladeshi poet Shamsur Rahman.

Poet undercover, dressed as a ladybird.

Snakes On a Plane: the movie title that keeps on giving. Now it has inspired a flurry of haikus.

Lorca’s murder casts shadow over town where he was born.

“Let us create a future we would want to speak in any language.”—Alberto Rios interviewed on NewsHour.

Daniel Pinkwater on the 1907 children’s poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee.”

Enough Coleridge papers to make your head spin.

Obsessive Milton collector unloads his booty.

“The trees are tired / of meaning, sick of providing / mystery, parallels, consolation. / ‘Leave us alone,’ they seem to cry.”—Maggie Dietz

Poetry placard on city bus makes writer so happy he tracks down the poet.

Book claims it will help readers unlock their inner poet. But what if the unlocked poet is a raving lunatic?

Matt Dillon as Bukowski: the former pretty boy pulls off the look of someone who is “decaying from within.”

Sonia Sanchez and the Grannies for Peace.

Today is Dorothy Parker’s birthday, so it’s fine to be snarky for the next 24 hours.

Poem used as evidence in rape case.

Rosie O'Donnell pens poems anticipating life on The View. Perhaps all the gals will take up poetry and put out a nifty book together?

Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s dad has written a book of poems about Hollywood. It’s called Clap Trap.

A bad poem and a disgusting recipe.

In Iraq, listen for birds and you'll hear war planes. A conversation with poet Saadi Youssef.

“All poets need a day job. Otherwise you would be living in a tent in Hyde Park.”—Forward prize winner David Harsent

Robert Herrick was born on this day in 1591. He often wrote poems to women who didn't exist.

Poet had a drug-addled youth. Well knock me over with a feather.

Poem written for jailed teenager put to music. Then it becomes a cult favorite among the ringtone crowd.

At Asian trade summit: karaoke and a poem about toilet seats.

Poetry marathons: a good way to raise money, and you can leave whenever you want.

Today is Charles Wright’s birthday. He once wrote “I want to be bruised by God.”

At the home of Russian poet Marina Tsvetayeva: “When she ran out of paper and black ink during the Civil War, she wrote drafts of her poems on the walls of her room.”

Andrei Codrescu on life in New Orleans after Katrina, or as he calls her: “Miss K, the world-stopper.”

What has happened to Rumsfeld, the beltway Bard? He used to treat reporters to haikus, but lately he’s been positively skittish.

Solo press celebrates 40 years.

Watching poets work can be fun. Or not.

On the lookout for hit-men at John Kinsella reading, but finding none.

Match poetry wits with cab driver, get a free ride.

After wife’s death, plumber takes up poetry as “God’s work.”

F.T. Marinetti, who borrowed the form of military maps for his poems, once declared war: “the world’s only hygiene.”

Love letter hoax mars 100th anniversary of poet's birth.

Maybe it wasn't the drinks that made it hard for him to concentrate: scholar theorizes that Dylan Thomas was dyslexic.

Australian poet’s dusty old notebook finds new home on the Web.

Enough poetry reviews to make your head spin.

Esther Schor on Emma Lazarus: “The greatest thing about her was that not only did she see clearly and speak eloquently, but she also had enough ego to insist upon being heard.”

Robert Adamson: A poet with the courage to write about a rat without making the rat do anything.

Sir John Betjeman claimed he flunked out of Oxford, but in reality he passed all his tests. “He wanted to be an aristocrat, and an aristocrat would have said ‘I’ve failed, so what?’ and swanned off.”

Delhi government restores poet’s former digs, adds music and lights to collection of dusty old brass utensils and books.

He died at 24 in the lunatic asylum: 18th century British poet’s plight helped spark mental health reform.

Pushkin statue may soon be buried by a shopping mall.

Old man retires, plans to write tons o’ poetry.

National Review declares: “Popular poetry is dead, dead, dead.”

The Beatboxer vs. the Poet.

Finalists for Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize announced.

Poet insults biographer from the grave. This hoax is so elaborate, you have to wonder if these fellows have too much time on their hands.

“Having never had a stunt man, I went through this life myself.”—Harvey Shapiro