The Poetry Space_

After a summer break, Katie and Tim return to the ring—the poetry ring, that is—to pit two literary heavyweights against each other: the venerable  Poetry Magazine  and the nimble  32 Poems . Who’s got the more electrifying lines, the sharper editorial eye? In this episode, Katie and Tim swap hot takes, and maybe even disagree (politely…mostly). In the end, one will take home the championship belt...

What happens when you pit a hoops-loving narrative philosopher against a tight-lipped Zen wit with a side hustle in metaphysical mischief? You get this episode of The Poetry Space_, where Pulitzer Prize winners Stephen Dunn and Kay Ryan go poem-to-poem in a lyrical Duel that’s part therapy session and part riddle wrapped in enjambment. Dunn brings conversational wisdom and emotional nuance to the...

Is the influence of the Imagists alive in contemporary poetry? In this episode, Katie, Tim and the Squad take a look at how their own poems may have been influenced by the poets of the previous episode. What is the true importance of imagery in poetry, and how can contemporary poets harness the power of writing over a hundred years after the Imagists? At the Table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Joe B...

A bit over a hundred years ago, Ezra Pound corralled a group known as the Imagists that would have a profound effect on poetry as we know it. A controversial figure, Pound explored and enlivened the economy of language and rich images that became founding principles of the group, along with H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), Richard Aldington, William Carlos Williams, Amy Lowell, and F.S. Flint. At the Table...

What constitutes fair use when it comes to poetry? Is the Cento form illegal? While this is obviously not legal advice, as no one should seek that from any podcast, let alone one primarily related to poetry, exploring fair use turned out to be as fun as reading a good poem! We covered many questions from listeners that were posed to us over social media.  Note: While we initially set out to cover...

In one of our most-requested topics, Tim fields many questions. While this is obviously not legal advice, as no one should seek that from any podcast, let alone one primarily related to poetry, we had a lot of “fun” exploring this topic. Just ask Sheryl Crow (who has no idea this podcast exists)! We covered many questions from listeners that were posed to us over social media.  Note: While we init...

Delving deeper into the matter of spirituality in poetry, we begin this episode by hearing Dick Westheimer read his poem, “Perhaps Prayer is Thinly Scattered Matter,” and are treated to more poetry by special guest Deacon Chris Anderson, as well as poems by Ada Limón, Rhina Espaillat, and José A. Alcántara. At the table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Chris Anderson Dick Westheimer Joe Barca Nate Jaco...

As we cross over to our first triple digit episode, what better topic than spirituality? Special guest Deacon Chris Anderson helps us explore the spirituality of poetry. Is poetry a form of prayer or even a religion in it of itself? Chris shares some of his own poetry, and profound insights.  At the table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Chris Anderson Dick Westheimer Joe Barca Nate Jacob  Brian O’Sull...

In the second episode of this mini-series, Katie and Tim jump into contemporary political poetry. With a deep dive into Rattle’s Poets Respond series, they examine what makes political poetry successful or unsuccessful in our current poetic climate, and Tim makes such a good point that Katie alters her definition of how she defines poetry. At the table: Katie Dozier Tim Green

In this episode, Katie and Tim talk about the number one thing you’re not supposed to talk about: politics—thankfully this time in the form of political poetry. What makes some political poems memorable and important? We explore the question by looking at older political poetry and what has staying power looking back. At the table: Katie Dozier Tim Green

This week, we dive into the delightful world of limericks with special guest Janet McConnaughey. Join us as we explore the history, structure, and enduring charm of this whimsical poetic form. From classic examples to contemporary twists, we read and discuss so many limericks. Whether you're a seasoned poet or new to the craft, this episode offers insights and inspiration to appreciate and per...

What makes for a fair fight between centuries? In this episode, English titans Emily Dickinson and Margaret Atwood duke it out, poem by poem, as we arrive at a better understanding of each poet through their juxtaposition. At the table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green

The Squad leaps back into the keys to writing an interesting poem with Nate Jacob reading a poem by Robert Hayden. Next up to the plate, Brian shares his list. Tim brings up the question of subjectivity, and Katie shares her own top ten keys. We also read poems by A.E. Stallings and Dorianne Laux. At the Table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Brian O’Sullivan Dick Westheimer Nate Jacob

How to write an interesting poem is a topic at the very heart of this show, and the Squad wastes no time tackling it. In part one, Tim, Dick, and Nate share their homework from Katie–a top ten list pf the keys to writing an interesting poem. We read poems by Li-Young Lee, George Bilgere, Sharon Olds, and Tiana Clark. At the Table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Dick Westheimer Brian O’Sullivan Nate Ja...

In this episode, we seek to learn more about two poets by having the two duel! This time, we look at two poets read in translation. Allen Ginsberg once asked in “A Supermarket in California,” “and you. Garcia Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?” and this episode seeks to find out by looking at Federico García Lorca. Tomas Gösta Tranströmer’s  The Blue House  goes toe-to-toe with Lo...

It seems like such a simple question, but how to read a poem, like poetic interpretation itself, can be answered in many different ways. But what’s the best way to go about reading a poem? Katie turns to art criticism for a process that guides the episode to a deep reading of poems by: Billy Collins, Wallace Stevens, Robert Frost, and John Ashbury. At the table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Joe Barc...

It seems like such a simple question, but how to read a poem, like poetic interpretation itself, can be answered in many different ways. But what’s the best way to go about reading a poem? Katie turns to art criticism for a process that guides the episode to a deep reading of poems by: Robert Frost,  Carolina Ebeid, Alex Dimitrov, Ezra Pound, and Billy Collins.  At the table: Katie Dozier Timothy...

Why shouldn't poems go head to head from time to time? In this episode, Katie and Tim introduce a new type of episode for The Poetry Space_—a poetry battle! Learn the rules, and hear poems from Bill Knott and Ruth Stone fight their way to victory in our first ever poetry duel. At the Table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green

Starting out with Adrienne Christian's answer to Nate Jacob's question about starting a poetry workshopping group of his own, we examine how to bring our best to workshops. Katie shares a difficult workshopping experience, and we read some of our favorite on-topic poems. At the Table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Adrienne Christian Joe Barca Nate Jacob Brian O'Sullivan Dick Westheimer

How can we craft a poetry workshop that inspires poets? In this episode of The Poetry Space_, the Squad is joined by poet and Pacific University professor Adrienne Christian to workshop our way to the perfect poetry workshop! At the Table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Adrienne Christian Joe Barca Nate Jacob Brian O'Sullivan Dick Westheimer

After part one, comes part two on After Poems. When does it make sense to directly reference another poem? How can we give credit to previous poems without distracting readers from our own? In this episode, we continue our exploration of the logic of literary credit. At the table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Joe Barca Dick Westheimer

More and more “after” poems are popping up in poetry. When does it make sense to directly reference another poem? How can we give credit to previous poems without distracting readers from our own? In this episode, we share some of our own after poems and explore the logic of literary credit. At the table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green Joe Barca Dick Westheimer

All too often, writers talking about AI spirals into a tornado of fear. What can writers do to code their own growth in the age of artificial intelligence? How will it change the future of poetry publishing, let alone poetry as we know it? This episode is full of enough debate to blow the fuse on AI! At the Table: Katie Dozier, Timothy Green, Joe Barca, Brian O'Sullivan, and Dick Westheimer.

In this “hairstyle of an episode,” we take a turn examining braid poems—such as those popularized by our special guest, David Kirby. What constitutes a braid? This episode may inspire you to plait your own pigtails!  At the Table: Katie Dozier Timothy Green David Kirby Joe Barca  Dick Westheimer 

What better way to kick off a poetry reading road trip than by firing one up for this week's episode of The Poetry Space_?! We go behind the scenes of our new chapbook, "Hot Pink Moon: A Crown of Haibun," and also read many of the poems. Watchout--it just may inspire you to collaborate on a book of your own poetry next! Find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961694018