Poem of the Week: “Ghazal,” by Reginald Dwayne Betts

We hope you’ll join us on September 23 as we welcome Reginald Dwayne Betts for two virtual appearances. Please visit our Events page for details. GHAZAL Name a song that tells a man what to expect after prison; Explains Occam’s razor: you’re still a suspect after prison. [br][br] Titus Kaphar painted my portrait, then dipped

Poem of the Week: September Midnight, by Sara Teasdale

Lyric night of the lingering Indian Summer, Shadowy fields that are scentless but full of singing, Never a bird, but the passionless chant of insects, Ceaseless, insistent. The grasshopper’s horn, and far-off, high in the maples, The wheel of a locust leisurely grinding the silence Under a moon waning and worn, broken, Tired with summer.

Sheila Kay Adams Performance Cancelled

Hello, Friends of the Poetry Center, We were saddened to hear from Sheila Kay Adams this morning that an injury will keep her from visiting here during the week of February 15. Like you, we were eagerly anticipating her visit. We hope, along with the Ten Pound Fiddle, that we’ll be able to bring her

Poem of the Week: The Snow Fairy

By: Claude Mckay I Throughout the afternoon I watched them there, Snow-fairies falling, falling from the sky, Whirling fantastic in the misty air, Contending fierce for space supremacy. And they flew down a mightier force at night, As though in heaven there was revolt and riot, And they, frail things had taken panic flight Down

Beloved pair steps down from Community Council

By Kelsey Block Glenn and Sue Stutzky, the longest serving members of the Center for Poetry’s Community Council, have recently retired from their positions. While they still support the Center’s mission, they finished their terms proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish. The Stutzkys have been involved with the Center for Poetry even before

Poem of the Week: “To Be of Use” by Marge Piercy

The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight. They seem to become natives of that element, the black sleek heads of seals bouncing like half-submerged balls. I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy

Poem of the Week: “Beginners” by Denise Levertov

“From too much love of living, Hope and desire set free, Even the weariest river Winds somewhere to the sea—” But we have only begun To love the earth. We have only begun To imagine the fullness of life. How could we tire of hope? — so much is in bud. How can desire fail?

Lansing poet kicks off Fall Writing Series

By Kelsey Block Lansing poet Cindy Hunter Morgan joined the RCAH Center for Poetry last week as the first guest in the annual Fall Writing Series. Hunter Morgan’s visit was co-sponsored with MSU’s Our Daily Work, Our Daily Lives series. Wednesday afternoon, Hunter Morgan facilitated a conversation on solemnity and humor in contemporary poetry. That

2015 Fall Poetry Chalking

Center for Poetry Holds Edible Book Contest

On April 1st, the Center for Poetry held its annual Edible Book Contest, inspired by the International Edible Book Festival. Special thanks to RCAH Communications Manager Katie Wittenauer for being our guest judge, and to the Roethke House in Saginaw, Michigan for contributing prizes and a magnificent cake inspired by Theodore Roethke’s children’s book Party