All My Friends Read Poems

Darren came through with this video a full YEAR after he said he would! Which is to say: believe in yourself, friends, you can do anything.

This is Maya Angelou’s most iconic poem, one that I believe belongs to black women in a deep and particular way. I’m delighted to have Darren’s reading, however, so as to spread this work as far and wide as possible. This poem is power.

“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou.

It’s World Poetry Day! This is me two years ago! What an embarrassing gem of a time capsule!

I dusted this off just for you, internet.

“The Kiss” by Marie Howe.

Hey, listen up. It’s March and Nick has a series of updates for you.

“A series of updates” by Nick Mendez.

Here’s me with a little something topical. This poem blew my mind when I was 14; it still does, although in heavier ways. Much thanks to @nickmendez for the cinematography and editing.

Excerpt from “Grand Canyon” by Ani DiFranco.

Happy new year, everybody. Here’s Stella, thank God, coming to you live from New Mexico 14 months ago. 

“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver.

Maura made a short film that came out yesterday! Well done, Maura. All I did yesterday was eat cashews. Go check out her work at http://www.harmonium.tv/ and watch this fantastic reading, as well:

“Little Sleep’s-Head Sprouting Hair in the Moonlight” by Galway Kinnell

I'm not sure that poetry can save us, friends, and I don’t know quite what to say about the shooting in Orlando this weekend. Here, though, is my sweet roommate with some of her own words. Much gratitude to her for sharing this original work.

“I believe in the inherent wholeness of You” by Heather Fulton

Has anybody sent this to Sandra yet? Yvette, send this to Sandra. Tell her this poem makes me want to break a thing.

“Loose Woman” by Sandra Cisneros.

The thing about re-posting old videos is how things are so different, and also the same, as when I saw these last.

Thanks, Sophie and Davy, for your giggly reading. Thanks also for the beautiful mail-- I’ll see you next May at the wedding! 

(Maybe we can read some poems together in the same place.)

“Pyjamas” by Rodney Koeneke and 

“Lately How I Am Flying” by Michael Gizzi

(A little Rilke in silhouette, because today I want, I want, I want.)

Hope keeps inviting me to Rome, but I can’t swing it. Hope, will you come to Portland? I’m visiting you in my dreams like mad.

"You See I Want a Lot” by Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by Robert Bly.

The above video features: the MAX train, my favorite of Nick’s coats, Sunday commuters, and an original poem! Videography by blogger; luscious mustache by poet/reader. Follow Nick and find more work on his website.

“Change Lady” by Nick Mendez. 

Hello,

Were you wondering if song lyrics are also poems? Yes, sure, they are.

Or, were you wondering if you can read your own poem, one that you made up with your very own brain? Yes, please do!

Are poems hard to find? Maybe try readalittlepoetry.wordpress.com or poetryfoundation.org.

Are you a poem? Great.

Travis and I used to teach 10th grade together, so this poem about telling kids to be quiet is really special to us.

“Noise Day” by Shel Silverstein.