Poetry blog

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

Recent posts

Russian Poets Jailed/Plants for Zephaniah – Poetry News Roundup January 1st

 

We begin the New Year here on My Poetic Side with a look at the poets who have been jailed in Russia and the funeral requests of the poet Benjamin Zephaniah. Russian Poets Jailed Lengthy jail sentences have been handed out to two Russian poets for the part that they played in a reading of anti-war poems in the capital ...

Sacred Grounds Faces Closure – Poetry News December 27th

 

In today’s poetry news update, we bring you the story about a poetry hub in Los Angeles that is facing closure and possible demolition. Cultural Oasis in LA May be Demolished The city of Los Angeles has announced what many are terming a decision to engage in an act that will amount to cultural vandalism. Whilst the scheme in question is just ...

Cavafy Archive Displayed/Du Fu Museu Renovation – Poetry News Roundup December 25th

 

In today’s poetry news round up we take a look at the Constantine P Cavafy archive which has gone on display and the renovation of the Du Fu Museu. Constantine P Cavafy Archive Displayed in Athens On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of his birth, an archive of the work of Constantine P Cavafy (Konstantinos Petrou Kavafis), one ...

Wheatley Festival/William Stafford Poetry Celebration – Poetry News Roundup December 20th

 

Today on My Poetic Side, we bring you articles about the Philis Wheatley Poetry Festival and the annual William Stafford Poetry celebration . The Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival Not long ago, a collection of women writers met at Jackson State University for the 50th Anniversary of the Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival. The festival is a four day long symposium ...

Hughes Prize/Walcott Prize/ Pushcart Award – Poetry News Roundup December 18th

 

On today’s poetry news round up we take a look at the Langston Hughes Creative Writing Award, the winner of the Derek Walcott Prize and the poet nominated for a Pushcart Award. Submissions Open for the Langston Hughes Creative Writing Award In conjunction with the Lawrence Arts Centre, the 2024 Langston Hughes Creative Writing Award has announced that it has now opened for entries. ...

Chandler’s Poem With A Twist/Byron’s London Mansion Sale – Poetry News Roundup December 13th

 

Today’s poetry news round up takes a look at a Raymond Chandler poem and the sale of Byron’s London mansion. Poem by Raymond Chandler With a Surprising Twist A newly published rare poem that was written by Raymond Chandler as an ode to his late wife contains a rather surprising plot twist. The wife of Raymond Chandler died in ...

Tributes To Zephaniah – Poetry News December 11th

 

We begin the week here on My Poetic Side with the sad news of the death of the poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who has died after a short illness. Benjamin Zephaniah Dies Aged 65 The literary world was hit on Thursday, 7th December, with the news that the poet, writer and Peaky Blinders actor Benjamin Zephaniah had died at the ...

Ledbury Hellens Prize Winner/Duffy’s Football Poem – Poetry News Roundup December 6th

 

Today on My Poetic Side we take a look at the winner of the Ledbury Hellens Poetry Prize and the football poem written by Dame Carol Ann Duffy. 2023 Winner of the Ledbury Hellens Poetry Prize Announced The poet Zaffar Kunial has been named as the winner of the £5,000 Ledbury Hellens Poetry Prize. This is the fourth edition of ...

Railway Reading/Cross Cultural Celebration/Holocaust Poetry – Poetry News Roundup December 4th

 

Today on My Poetic Side we bring you three stories: a poetry reading at a railway station, a cross-cultural play written by a poet, and a Holocaust memorial poetry competition. Poet Takes Part in Poetry Reading at Railway Station On Friday, 1st December, the poet Lemn Sissay took part in a rather unusual poetry reading at St Pancras International Station. ...

Yeats‘ Nobel Prize Celebration/Wheatley Book Acquisition – Poetry News Roundup November 29th

 

Today in our poetry news round up, we take a look at the 100th anniversary of Yeats’ Nobel Prize and the Phillis Wheatley book acquired by a museum. 100th Anniversary of Yeats’ Nobel Prize to be Celebrated This weekend, leading Irish poets will be gathering in Sligo to celebrate the centenary of the poet WB Yeats being awarded a ...