Richard Wilbur, Two-Time Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet, Has Died at 96
Richard Wilbur, the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, translator and lyricist known for his work’s lyrical elegance written in classical form, has died at the age of 96.
Pam Anderson Continues to Insist Upon Sexiness, Bravery of Man Hiding in Ecuadorian Embassy With His Cat
Late last week, Pamela Anderson released yet another impassioned missive extolling the supposed virtues of sun-starved WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, titled “Why My Heart Stands With Julian.”
Tracy K. Smith Is America's New Poet Laureate
On Wednesday, the Library of Congress announced that Tracy K. Smith will serve as the 22nd Poet Laureate, a role most recently held by Juan Felipe Herrera, joining the ranks of poets like Rita Dove, Natasha Trethewey, Louise Glück, and Robert Pinsky.
I Can't Stop Listening to This Song
This is the new song by Downtown Boys, a queer Latinx punk band from Providence, Rhode Island. In it, lead vocalist Victoria Ruiz lassos her rage and sorrow and lets it free, like doves being released, singing lyrics like, “You can’t pull the plug on us/I won’t let that go, I’ll never let that go/You can’t pull the…
An Hour Renting Emily Dickinson's Bedroom Where She Wrote Her Entire Life's Work
“Sweet hours have perished here;
This is a mighty room”
'What R the Chances,' Rosie O'Donnell Wonders in Poem About Ivanka Trump Encounter
A few days ago, Rosie O’Donnell ran into Ivanka Trump at Nobu. This was noteworthy, as Ivanka’s father had recently reignited his decade-long feud with O’Donnell at the first presidential debate. “@IvankaTrump in a city of 8 million – we meet face 2 face – i thank u 4 listening – mother 2 mother – on this new years…
A Sixth-Grader Writes a Book Report About the New Calvin Trillin Poem in The New Yorker
“Have They Run Out of Provinces Yet?” is a new poem by Calvin Trillin about how there are too many different kinds of Chinese people. It is a rhyming poem set in 2016 that was published in The New Yorker, a powerful magazine. The primary theme of the poem is that there are a lot of different kinds of Chinese people.…
Of Course That White Man Poet Stole the Name 'Yi-Fen Chou' From a HS Classmate
The verdict is in: Michael Derrick Hudson, you are a motherfucking clown.
If You're a White Man Who Can't Get Published Under Your Own Name, Take the Hint
Let’s raise a big glass of curdled identity politics to Michael Derrick Hudson, whose poem “The Bees, the Flowers, Jesus, Ancient Tigers, Poseidon, Adam and Eve” has made it into 2015’s Best American Poetry after only 40 rejections under his real name (Michael Derrick Hudson) and 9 under the assumed name to which it…
A Visit to Rubbin' Buttz BBQ for White Appreciation Day
I drove to Milliken, Colorado in my boyfriend’s grandmother’s Mercury Sable and an orange gingham skirt. I hello-ma’am’ed it up in lipstick and chunky heels, wore my favorite Hidden Folk perfume with katafray in it—this wasn’t drag, it was so no one would assume anything slant about my body or ask questions about my…
This Math Equation Is Also A Limerick
This week's Sunday Puzzle looks like a mathematical equation. Well, it is a mathematical equation. But hidden in that equation is a poem. Can you recite it back to us?
Poet Calls Out World Leaders in Stirring Speech on Climate Change
If you need yet another reality check on the very real climate changes issues we face, watch this video of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner's wonderful presentation to the United Nations.
If You Don't Understand Why People Love Erotic Fanfic, Watch This Now
In her slam poem Fantastic Breasts and Where To Find Them, Brenna Twohy quickly gets to the heart of why so many people love their erotica attached to familiar fictional characters while powerfully critiquing certain types of mainstream pornography.
This Is the Best Response to "She Was Asking For It" You Will Ever Hear
Anna Binkovitz has an important message for anyone using the "she was asking for it" defense when it comes to rape: "Stop asking people's clothing to have sex with you, and start asking people." And that's just the beginning.
First Grader Writes Adorable Poem About Personal Space
In addition to being National Humor Month, National Pecan Month, and Stress Awareness Month, April has been designated as National Poetry Month. And now that the dust from all of the raging monthlong poem-battles has settled, it seems that Poetry has a new champion — a six-year-old from the Lower East Side of…
Dad's Passionate Poem: 'To the Boys Who May One Day Date My Daughter'
A video of Jesse Parent performing at a poetry slam is being passed around this week. In the clip, the tattooed, scowling writer recites, "To the boys who may one day date my daughter: I have been waiting for you. Since before her birth, since before my spark* took hold and ignited the fire in her mother's belly, I…
Nebraska Won't Let Kid Read Macklemore Lyrics on TV, Shitstorm Ensues
Every year, the winners of Nebraska's state high school speech and drama competition are invited to perform their winning material on public TV. But this year, they're running things a little differently. One of the winners in the poetry category, you see, made the mistake of choosing "controversial" material that…
Watch Samuel L. Jackson Perform Slam Poetry About Boy Meets World
America's best shouting dramatic actor, Mr. Samuel L. Jackson takes on a daring and bold slam poetry performance for Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show.
