Poetry – Poetry Society of Michigan

Hey Good Lookin’ / Mary Merlo

Published on September 23, 2020 by Editorial Staff

From the Spring issue of Peninsula Poets.

Prompt: An Updated Myth

Published on September 22, 2020 by Editorial Staff

Write a poem that modernizes a classical myth. Rewrite the old myth in modern terms. For instance, Sisyphus is doomed to push a car up a hill forever. You may make yourself the classical figure if you like. (From The Mind’s Eye by Kevin Clark) Don’t forget: Poetry Society of Michigan is looking for poems that have turned out well from these prompts for a reading. Send to mme642@aol.com.

Here’s a clever example from the pages of Third Wednesday Magazine. (by permission from the editors).

Prompt: A Family History Poem

Published on September 22, 2020 by Editorial Staff

From Writing Poetry by Barbara Drake: Write a poem that teaches the history of your family to those who come after you.

Prompt: An Ekphrastic Poem

Published on September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 by Editorial Staff

Ekphrastic poetry: sounds complicated. It’s not. Ekphrastic art pays homage to another art form. In the case of poetry, we write a poem, taking our inspiration from a work of art. Use a painting or a photograph.

Do not spend any time describing the work of art. Enter it. Become part of it. Use details but let your imagination run amok in the art work. There is no right answer but your answer. – Elizabeth Kerlikowske

Below is an example from The Ekphrastic Review by one of our PSM members.

Autumn Haibun / Patricia Barnes

Published on September 10, 2020 by Editorial Staff

I Thought You’d Like to Know / Joe Kelty

Published on September 8, 2020September 8, 2020 by Editorial Staff

A member poem from the Spring issue of Peninsula Poets.

Volunteer with Baby on Back / Li C. Tien

Published on August 31, 2020 by Editorial Staff

A poem from the spring issue of Peninsula Poets.

Poetry Reading Features Dunya Mikhail

Published on August 30, 2020 by Editorial Staff

Our Ann Arbor affiliate Crazy Wisdom Poetry Circle’s monthly readings with open mic. have moved to virtual space on Zoom for the time-being.

September’s Program

Dunya Mikhail is an Iraqi-American whose five books of poems address themes of war, exile, and loss. She has received Guggenheim and Kresge fellowships, the Arab American Book Award, and the U.N. Human Rights Award. She currently teaches Arabic language and literature at Oakland University. Her reading will be bilingual.

7:00 PM – 8:45 PM • Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Email cwpoetrycircle@gmail.com for Zoom link.
The link will be sent via email the day of the event.

The reading will be followed by an open mic.
Participants are invited to read a poem of their own or a favorite.