poll dance: it’s not easy

Kermit said it best: “It’s not easy being green.” It’s hard to be who you are, sometimes, and if who you are is a writer, you face some difficult choices when it comes to writing about intense subjects. What do you share? How much do you share? With whom do you share?
Many topics are [...]

Posted by Carolee on 06.17.2008 at 12:01 am// Tagged: Carolee, Discussion Thread, Poll Dance , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


welcome to read write poem

Read Write Poem is an online gathering place for those who love poetry — and for those who suspect that, with a little nurturing, they could grow to love poetry. Whether you are new to writing poetry or have been writing for years, you are welcome here. If you don’t write poetry but love to read and discuss it, this is also the place for you. Read more about the project.


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read write poll

Do your new year's resolutions include poetry goals? (Choose the best answer.)

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participant-run journals, zines and sites


  • read write poem newsfeed

      "Adam Penna is on a roll. For nearly a decade, he’s written one poem every day, almost without fail. He writes for the love of poetry, believing that poems reveal truths that can easily be missed, and offer a way of connecting the universal human condition with individual experiences.

      Mr. Penna writes poetry because he believes it’s the best type of writing to distill the essence of a simple moment. Simply put, poems transform the ordinary into extraordinary, he said."

      Read the full article, which includes news about his *two* new books, published by different houses. "Success for an everyday poet" is written by Pat Rogers for The East Hampton Press & The Southampton.

      And visit Adam Penna's online poetry journal, Best Poem.

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      Have you visited The Page? It's a spot for gleaning bits of "poetry, essays, language, ideas."

      Cool content, and it looks good, too. Edited by Andrew Johnston, with contributions by Stephen Burt.

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      Dana and Jacob are at it again. If you are interested in learning more about The Seattle Poetry Brothel they are creating, visit My Gorgeous Somewhere for the scoop.

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      A new poem by Sean O'Brien, written in response to the latest phase of conflict between Israel and Hamas:

      Katyusha, Katyusha

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      One of our new participants, Lyn Hopper, will be using our writing prompts as a way to fulfill her personal challenge and be creative every day. Sound like something you'd like to do? I am sure you would be welcomed by Leah Piken Kolidas, the CED diva, into her creative fold.

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  • Read all newsfeed items.

  • random
    poetry prompt

      A different word or phrase will appear here each time you visit the site or refresh the page. Your current prompt is — zing!

  • random
    collaborating tip

    Do one of the random writing tips listed above and invite a writing partner or partners to write a poem based on the same tip. Then share what you each wrote. What's similar and different about the way you each approached the assignment?


  • random
    writing tip

    Immerse yourself in an unfamiliar environment — maybe ask to observe people in a new work environment, visit a new park or outdoors space, or visit a different neighborhood in your town that is different than yours — and write a poem based on the experience.

  • random
    reading tip

    A great way to learn about a region is to read their poets. When planning your next vacation or trip, also research the region’s famous poets. (If you’re going out of the country, look for good translations.) You may be surprised at how well a poet can capture a regional spirit in verse. You’ll be more prepared for your trip and you can impress residents by knowing about their local writers.

  • random
    poetry quote

    A tough life needs a tough language - and that is what poetry is. -- Jeanette Winerson