September 2008
Poems by Sasha Dugdale, Atsuro Riley, Dionisio D. Martínez, Kay Ryan, Alan Shapiro, Elizabeth Arnold, David Harsent, Jim Harrison and others; drawings and doodles by Philip Larkin; Clive James on what makes a poem memorable—or not; D.H. Tracy on Yezzi, Volkman, Marvin, and Kenney; Letters to the Editor
FEATURED POET
Crocodile Tears
BY KAY RYAN
The one sincere
crocodile has
gone dry eyed
for years. Why
bother crying
crocodile tears.
Poetry Off the Shelf: Peter Gizzi
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 6 PM
Ferguson Theater
Columbia College
600 South Michigan Avenue
Free admission
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Foundation is seeking an experienced senior manager who will serve as the editor of poetryfoundation.org and as the program manager for the Foundation’s online initiative. More >>
RUTH LILLY POETRY FELLOWSHIP WINNERS The Poetry Foundation and Poetry magazine are proud to announce the five recipients of the 2008 Ruth Lilly Fellowships: Nicky Beer, Roger Reeves, Michael Rutherglen, Alison Stine, and Caki Wilkinson. Read more >>
360 DEGREES: ART BEYOND BORDERS The Poetry Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs partner to present international artists, musicians, and poets exploring the role of art around our globe. Read more >>
POETRY OUT LOUD 16-year-old Shawntay Henry of the United States Virgin Islands is the 2008 Poetry Out Loud National Champion and recipient of a $20,000 scholarship prize from the Poetry Foundation. Learn more >>
by Clive James
First appeared in Poetry.
A talented verse mechanic cracks open the hood to illuminate the structure and ignition points that make a poem rev up and roar forever.
Poems among items in karoshi (death from overwork) exhibition.
Inventing Yehuda Amichai.
"His alcoholic raincoat": on Kiwi poet James Baxter.
More news >>
OTHER FEATURES
Reading Guide: Seamus Heaney’s “Casualty”
by Joshua Weiner
A highly reader-friendly explanation of an Irish war elegy by the most popular living poet in our language. Master a masterpiece in one easy sitting.
by Joshua Weiner
A highly reader-friendly explanation of an Irish war elegy by the most popular living poet in our language. Master a masterpiece in one easy sitting.
Home Appreciation
by Susan Thomsen
Homeschoolers are turning a million kids on to poetry—through fun, not homework. Here's how you can do it too.
by Susan Thomsen
Homeschoolers are turning a million kids on to poetry—through fun, not homework. Here's how you can do it too.
God's Little Brother
by Kazim Ali
Lucille Clifton's poem "brothers" shines a bright new light on Lucifer, who answers God in a whirlwind of verse.
by Kazim Ali
Lucille Clifton's poem "brothers" shines a bright new light on Lucifer, who answers God in a whirlwind of verse.
And the Winner Is . . . Pindar!
by Stephen Burt
Can any modern poet beat the world record Pindar set 25 centuries ago?
by Stephen Burt
Can any modern poet beat the world record Pindar set 25 centuries ago?
Girls Interrupted
by Carla Blumenkranz
Poet Sarah Manguso survived exotic disease; Lavinia Greenlaw survived punk rock. Both recaptured the past in memoirs so vivid they verge on verse.
by Carla Blumenkranz
Poet Sarah Manguso survived exotic disease; Lavinia Greenlaw survived punk rock. Both recaptured the past in memoirs so vivid they verge on verse.
BY CATEGORY
NEWLY ADDED POETS
POEM: Domestic By Carl Phillips
AUDIO: The Cadillac of the Dead By Debora Greger
POETRY OFF THE SHELF
Battle of the BardsHear Denise Levertov's scathing Vietnam poem "Life at War," and find out why it made her friend Robert Duncan declare war on her. Listen >>
POETRY MAGAZINE PODCAST
Killing Him
An excerpt from the satirical radio play by Yehuda Amichai.
Listen >>
POEM TALK
The Beginnings Concept: A Discussion of John Ashbery's "Crossroads in the Past"
Hosted by Al Filreis and featuring poets Thomas Devaney, Gregory Djanikian & Jessica Lowenthal.
Listen >>
Classical Baby (I'm Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show
Mariposa
Animated poem read by Andy Garcia 00:50
See All Video Series