The Life of the Mind: A Conversation with Elizabeth Scanlon
Elizabeth Scanlon discusses her debut full-length collection, Lonesome Gnosis, brains and trains, and poetry as prayer.
Poetry
2359 posts
Blending Out: Oceanic by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Despite its title, Oceanic is much more than a love letter to the ocean.
Taking Control and Staking a Claim: Erin Adair-Hodges’s Let’s All Die Happy
This is lovely writing, alive, thoroughly thought, and thoroughly felt.
Three Collections in Two Volumes by August Kleinzahler
Be stunned by Kleinzahler's poetry in the far ports of your body.
Learning to Grow Where Planted: Maggie Smith’s Good Bones
Part of looking closer is seeing what is hard to face, and part of having courage is addressing what seems futile.
The Rumpus Mini-interview Project #137: Aimee Nezhukumatathil
"Admitting a love or joy, or yes, wonder for the natural world is, especially as a woman of color, one of the most vulnerable things we can do."
The Rumpus Poetry Book Club Chat with Justin Phillip Reed
Justin Phillip Reed on his debut collection, Indecency, why he loves struggling with connotation, and the irresponsibility of American society.
A Book with Wings: Bird Book by Sidney Wade
There is an acceptance of the strangeness of things in these poems, even a generosity big enough to invite the oracle in for dinner.
The Rumpus Mini-Interview Project #136: Shy Watson
"I do think when I write it’s kind of therapy or having to tell someone everything or maybe writing it gets it out of my head?"
Rumpus Original Poetry: Three Poems by Jennifer Givhan
Good thing we hadn’t held the chrysalid funeral yet. The two butterflies emerged. Damaged wings but reborn.
The Depths We Don’t Have Words For: Sally Bliumis-Dunn’s Echolocation
[R]eading these poems feels like looking down into deep water, being able to see only so far and no farther.