Poetry blog

We keep you updated on the world of poetry with our news roundups.

Recent posts

Mahmoud Darwish Chair/Whitman Catalogue – Poetry News Roundup June 1st

 

We begin another week on My Poetic Side with a look at the first Mahmoud Darwish Chair and the Whitman Catalogue that has been honoured with an AIGA Award. First Mahmoud Darwish Chair of Palestinian Studies Appointed One of the top universities in America, Brown University, has announced that Professor Beshara Doumani has been appointed to the “milestone” position as the first Mahmoud Darwish ...

Gardener Turns Poet/Laureate Fellowships/Turkish Actors’ Aid To Theatre Staff – Poetry News Roundup May 29th

 

Our final news round-up of the week looks at the gardener turned poet, the Prestigious laureate fellowships that have been awarded and the Turkish actors reading poetry to help theatre staff. Alan Titchmarsh The Poet The gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has written a poetry book. Titled “Marigolds, Myrtle and Moles” and the book has been described as the perfect poetry book for those people ...

Pandemic Inspired Poet/Potter Poetry – Poetry News Roundup May 28th

 

Today in our news round-up we look at the poet who was inspired by a pandemic, and the poetry connection to Harry Potter. The Poet and the Pandemic The Second Coming by WB Yeats was written at a significant time for Europe in the 20th century. It was a time of upheaval and uncertainty. World War One had just finished and the struggle ...

Brodsky Mural/Guggenheim Fellowship For Mississippi Poet – Poetry News Roundup May 27th

 

Today we have articles about the graffiti mural in honour of Joseph Brodsky and the Mississippi poet awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. Graffiti Mural for Joseph Brodsky To honour the day that would have marked the 80th birthday Joseph Brodsky of the celebrated Russian poet a mural appeared in St Petersburg. The mural which was depicted in graffiti style was painted onto the sidewall ...

Larkin’s Letters To His Muse – Poetry News May 26th

 

Today in our poetry news round-up we look at the previously unpublished letters between Philip Larkin and his muse Monica Jones. The Unseen Letters That Show the Tortured Love of Larkin A cache containing a staggering 2,400 unpublished letters sent by the poet Philip Larkin to Monica Jones his muse and long-time lover shows the flawed and rather explosive romance that they had. Larkin ...

Rosen Leaves Intensive Care/Lana Del Rey’s Spoken Word Piece – Poetry News Roundup May 25th

 

We begin the week with the good news that the poet and author Michael Rosen has left intensive care. We also look at Lana Del Rey"s latest spoken-word piece. Michael Rosen Leaves Intensive Care The poet and author who was the Children’s Laureate from June 2007 to June 2009 has spent the last 47 days in intensive care having been admitted to a London ...

Harlem Stamps/Lockdown Poetry Parties – Poetry News Roundup May 22nd

 

This Friday, we take a look at the Harlem Renaissance commemorative stamps. We also take a look at poetry parties in lockdown. Postal Service in US celebrates the Harlem Renaissance Voices A new set of postal stamps has been issued by the US Postal Service. The set of four stamps celebrates the legacies and lives of four of the greatest voices from the movement. ...

Sissay’s Virtual Talk/World Bee Day – Poetry News Roundup May 21st

 

Today on My Poetic Side we take a look at Lemn Sissay's virtual appearance at ADOBF and the United Nations World Bee Day. Lemn Sissay Talks About his Childhood in Virtual Session The British playwright, poet and author Lemn Sissay will be giving a virtual talk as part of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF). The event has been organised by the Abu Dhabi ...

Griffin Prize Winner/Iranian Book Published By Penguin – Poetry News Roundup May 20th

 

Today in our poetry news round-up we take a look at the 2020 winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize. We also take a look at the Iranian poetry book that will be published in English by Penguin. Kaie Kellough Named Winner of 2020 Griffin Poetry Prize The poet from Montreal has been named as the winner of this year"s Griffin Poetry Prize for his ...

Derek Walcott Poetry Prize/Pandemic Poetry Rush – Poetry News Roundup May 19th

 

Today on My Poetic Side we look at the Derek Walcott poetry prize and the rush to publish books of poetry and novels based on the current pandemic. 2020 Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry The Derek Walcott Festival, in collaboration with the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre and Arrowsmith Press, has published the shortlist for the inaugural Derek Walcott Prize. The prize is offered for ...