Jean Valentine

. From 'Wheels' magazine (1917) —Aldous Huxley #ForgottenPoets #poetry #booksky

From Lucille Clifton's book, How to Carry Water: bit.ly/howtocarrywater #poem #books #writing

"I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief." Friedli Walton performs Wendell Berry's "The Peace of Wild Things" in a new poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

On Feb. 10, join us at the Conduit Club for an evening of poetry & film, featuring performances by Anthony Anaxagorou & Marjorie Lotfi, a screening of four films of their poems, and a discussion between the poets and filmmakers Savannah Acquah & Rob Akin.

"No excuses when a poem burgeons, nascent, budding on the cusp of your lips, terrace of your tongue." @allisonpoet.bsky.social, "Extraction" www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/extrac...

"they were flimsy as our resistance to the crimes committed —again, again—in our name" From "In California During the Gulf War" by Denise Levertov. www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/in-cal...

"I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother." Langston Hughes was born on this day in 1901. Watch Obioma Ugoala perform Hughes' iconic poem "I, Too" in this film made in 2025 with The Irish Cultural Centre.

"This place is hellbound in a handcart. Cat, you mark her words." Paddy Cunningham performs Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Mrs Skinner, North Street" in a new poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/mrs-skinner-north-street

"I wonder if I intended to be the punctum, the little rip in the surface where my eye might snag." From "Salt Island" by Padraig Regan, published in Some Integrity (Carcanet Press). https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/salt-island

"This, I understand: the instinct to cling, at any cost, to the place you are rooted " Marjorie Lotfi performs her poem "The Hebridean Crab Apple" in a 2025 film created with WritersMosaic. https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/the-hebridean-crab-apple

Mary Oliver 🩷

The last lines of this wreck me in the best of ways. From Kim Addonizio's book, Tell Me: bit.ly/tellmeBK #poetry #books #writing

"I am always hungry & wanting to have sex. This is a fact. " Alfie Lockwood performs Cuthwulf Eileen Myles' "Peanut Butter" in a new poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/peanut-butter

In a strait, some things are useful. Others, true, she turns to ash. naviyuk, "Nunataq" https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/nunataq

or the deer all lowering their heads Linda Gregg

"Migration is an act inextricably bound to childhood the wolf womb, the open portal, the time-wound, the dark pines shining back eyes" Happy birthday to El Norte Recuerda! Watch Villarreal perform an excerpt of her poem "Architect 3" in this film created with Haymarket Books.

From The Selected Poems of Langston Hughes: bookshop.org/a/862/9780679728184 #poem #books #writing

I knew that "to turn, the worm had begun," As we marched down Fifth Avenue unafraid And calm, in our first Silent Protest Parade! Carrie Williams Clifford, "Silent Protest Parade"

When the phone rings, I put it to my ear without saying hello. In the restaurant I point at chicken noodle soup. I am adjusting well to the new way. Leo Patrick reads Jeffrey McDaniel's poem "The Quiet World" in this week's new poem film, produced with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

"When you hold a slice of fresh cut red melon to my lips I drink as much as I eat " Happy birthday to Patrick Rosal! https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/gift

"O sleep, for the winter Is crying "Sleep no more." James Joyce died on this day 85 years ago. Watch Olwen Fouéré perform Joyce's "Chamber Music XXXIV" in a film made with Bloomsday Film Festival. https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/chamber-music-xxxiv

When I am dead, it will not be Much matter of concern to me Who folds my hands, or combs my hair, Or, pitying their sightless stare, Draws down the blinds across my eyes. Countee Cullen, who died on this day 80 years ago. https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/two-thoughts-of-death

"when i think of us i think of the lakewater near longtown" Jennifer Ememandu performs Safia Elhillo's poem "A Memory of Us" in a new poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

"Emptying myself of all things ripe and wanton, I am winter grass." Victoria Kennefick, "January" https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/january

Poem for this morning. From Ted Kooser's book, Cotton Candy: bookshop.org/a/862/9781496231291 #poem #books #writing

"It was all bland, harmonious, and given to us: a ravishing for-nothingness." Happy birthday to Hannah Sullivan! Watch Sullivan perform an excerpt from her long poem "Was It for This."

'Tis yours to will what picture shall appear: The gift, a pure, unsullied, glad New Year! Carrie Williams Clifford, "The Gift" https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/the-gift

"It’s dark in here, your halo looks flat as a plate. Maybe we’re still there. Was that lightning? " Jean Valentine passed away five years ago on this day. Here, Leslie Sainz performs Valentine's poem "Archangel." https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/archangel

"There is no First or Last Only equality And who would rule Joins the majority." Mina Loy was born on this day in 1882. Here, Suzanne Wise performs Loy's poem "There is no Life or Death."

"I have a feeling that my boat has struck, down there in the depths, against a great thing." Juan Ramón Jiménez was born on this day in 1881. Here, Marie Howe reads his poem "Oceans."

"Can you imagine the number of bouquets, how many slices of cake? Even now, my husbands plan a great meal for us—one chops up some parsley, one stirs a bubbling pot on the stove." Happy birthday to @nezhukumatathil.bsky.social!

For the day that's in it, my poem Midwinter from my third collection Pit Lullabies performed by Ayesha Ostler & recorded by the lovely folks at @brinkerhoffpoetry.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social youtu.be/eE1DSoRfrck?...

"That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang..." Simon Callow performs William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73" in our latest poem film.

"What is left of me? The songs I sang to keep from sleeping sound like nothing more than rain." Happy birthday to @sadqueer4life.bsky.social! www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/i-am-d...

"As I ate I asked dictionary what is difficult about love?" Shakeel Haakim performs Raymond Antrobus' "To Sweeten Bitter" in a 2024 poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

"Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota, Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass. And the eyes of those two Indian ponies Darken with kindness." James Wright was born on this day in 1927. Here, Campbell McGrath reads his poem "A Blessing."

Cuirim mo dhóchas ar snámh // I place my hope on the water Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performs Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's poem "Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.

We're thrilled to be supporting @poetryireland.bsky.social's Poet in Residence program. Our congratulations to Sean Borodale!

"The poets, my friend, are where they have always been— living in paper houses without countries, along rivers and in forests that are disappearing." Tishani Doshi, born #OnThisDay. @coppercanyonpress.bsky.social

"You can still feel the community pack This place: it’s like going into a turfstack, A core of old dark walled up with stone A yard thick." Sodiq Ajibola Abiola performs Seamus Heaney's "In Gallarus Oratory" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.

"Carried her unprotesting out the door. Kicked back the casket-stand. But it can't hold her, That stuff and satin aiming to enfold her, The lid's contrition nor the bolts before." Gwendolyn Brooks died 25 years ago on this day.

We're proud to once again be supporting PoetryFest at the Irish Arts Center. Join in for readings and conversations by poets of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and North America from December 5th through 7th. irishartscenter.org/...

"Here in my native inland sea From pain and sickness would I flee And from its shores and island bright Gather a store of sweet delight." Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, "Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior"

"Hundreds of finches in road resting, drinking from puddles." @katedurbin.bsky.social performs Michael Earl Craig's poem "Driving Home" in this week's new poem film.

Do join us if you are in Dingle tomorrow evening, Saturday 22nd. Just one of a wonderful programme of events for the @dinglelit.bsky.social @brinkerhoffpoetry.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @poetryireland.bsky.social www.eventbrite.ie/e/poetry-is-...

From Hala Alyan's book, The Twenty-Ninth Year: bookshop.org/a/862/9781328511942 #poem #booksky #writing

What you must manage is to bring to mind A landscape not worth looking at, some bleak Champaign at dead November’s end, its grass As dry as lichen, and its lichens grey. Richard Wilbur, "Walking to Sleep"

"We need no runners here. Booze is law and all the Indians drink in the best tavern. Money is free if you're poor enough." James Welch was born on this day in 1940. Here, M. L. Smoker reads his poem "Harlem, Montana: Just Off the Reservation."

God what a poem. From Marie Howe's book, What the Living Do: bookshop.org/a/862/9780393318869 #poem #booksky #writing