June Prompt at Poets Online
This month’s writing prompt at Poets Online is a short but wise and mindful poem by Vera Pavlova. Read more of Vera Pavlova’s work at the Poets Online Blog.
Submit a poem for a crack at getting it published at Poets Online.
Summer Poetry - Part One
First of a series of poetry book recommendations for summer reading suitable for the beach, sitting with a cocktail in the shade or on those sultry nights as a companion to sleeplessness, when those crickets are just too loud and your heart too full.
“Time You Let Me In”
Lovingly selected by prize-winning poet Naomi Shihab Nye, I found this collection of poems by young poets very enjoyable and worthwhile. Considering the source of this review (me), it is true that I love young voices, as they represent the future of poetry. While some of the emotions expressed may gain more weight and meaning with age, these poems of early adulthood bless us with their freshness and bring those of us who are older memories of our own years of jagged growth.
“Time You Let Me In, 25 Poets Under 25”, Ed. Naomi Shihab Nye, Copyright 2010, Glenwillow Books
$16.99 hardcover
Disaster and Poetry
In the midst of troubling times, Contributing Poet H. E. Mantel gives us these timely poems:
And Contributing Poet Donal Mahoney sends us his poems expressing the essence of being a poet in this poem:
Natural and man made disaster offer bountiful opportunity for a poet, but then again, so does life. As I am simultaneously blessed by works from these two accomplished poets, I am first moved to think about our stewardship of the planet and then to think about our stewardship of our time.
One of the things poetry does best is make you think.
Thanks once again, Donal and H. E. Mantel, for sending us your excellent work.
Poetry Superhighway Poets of the Week
Always worth a look. Check them out at the Poetry Superhighway.
Amanda Tilton
Amanda Tilton, one of three third place winners in the 2009 - 2010 Eye On Life Poetry Contest.
Read Amanda’s poem, “What The World’s Come To”
Read poems by other contest winners
Got Poetry
“An Iraqi poet shared a poem that got him killed. What does this mean to a society filled to the brim with free speech poetry?”
Check it out.
More Memorial Day
Memorial Day
I asked some previous contributors and friends for poems on a Memorial Day theme and got some interesting results.
“Memorial Day” by Peter Jones
Clearly, we have interesting poets here.
Barbara Steinhauser
Barbara Steinhauser
received her MFA
in Writing for Young
Adults from
Vermont College.
Her three children
claim Barbara's
happiness relies
on a blow and go haircut,
hot espresso
sweetened with Stevia,
and a fresh idea.