“New Year’s Day” by Kim Addonizio
New Year's Day The rain this morning falls on the last of the snow and will wash it away. I can smell the grass again, and the torn leaves being eased down into the mud.… Continue Reading
“Ode to Gratitude” by Pablo Neruda
Ode to Gratitude Thanks to the word that gives thanks. Thanks to the gratitude for how excellently the word melts snow or iron. The planet seemed full of threats until soft as a translucent feather,… Continue Reading
“The morning after / my death” by Etel Adnan
The morning after / my death The morning after my death we will sit in cafés but I will not be there I will not be * There was the great death of birds the… Continue Reading
“November 2: Diá de los Muertos” by Alberto Ríos
November 2: Día de los Muertos 1 It is not simply the Day of the Dead—loud, and parties. More quietly, it is the day of my dead. The day of your dead. These days, the… Continue Reading
“Fall Song” by Joy Harjo
Fall Song It is a dark fall day. The earth is slightly damp with rain. I hear a jay. The cry is blue. I have found you in the story again. Is there another word… Continue Reading
“Summer Song” by William Carlos Williams
Summer Song Wanderer moon smiling a faintly ironical smile at this brilliant, dew-moistened summer morning,— a detached sleepily indifferent smile, a wanderer’s smile,— if I should buy a shirt your color and put on a… Continue Reading
“36 Rules for Writers” by Umberto Eco
36 Rules for Writers 1. Avoid alliterations, even if they’re manna for morons. 2. Don’t contribute to the killing of the subjunctive mode, I suggest that the writer use it when necessary. 3. Avoid clichés:… Continue Reading
“An ancient pond!” by Matsuo Basho
An ancient pond! An ancient pond!With a sound from the waterOf the frog as it plunges in. . Matsuo Basho, 1643-1694 This poem is in the public domain. Photo by Martino Pietropoli on Unsplash Continue Reading
“Summer Stars” by Carl Sandburg
Summer Stars Bend low again, night of summer stars.So near you are, sky of summer stars, So near, a long-arm man can pick off stars, Pick off what he wants in the sky bowl, So… Continue Reading
“20 Rules for Writers” by Stephen King
20 Rules for Writers 1. First write for yourself, and then worry about the audience. “When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all… Continue Reading