Poetry Talk

Poetry written during the pandemic has been a soothing way for many people to connect during otherwise isolating times, whether it's through writing about feelings and sharing them on social media to enjoying poetry writing activities and exercises with others in a virtual setting.

There have also been plenty of pandemic poetry projects afoot, whether they came from NPR or The Poetry Society of New York. You could pick a project to get involved with or always share them at one of my old favorites, All Poetry, where you can also comment on one another's poems and get feedback.

How have you written or shared poetry during the pandemic?

Why would anyone want to be a Nazi of anything, soup, grammar or otherwise? While rules of grammar don't apply as much in poetry, it's still important to point out to those who say they're irritated by incorrect grammar and spelling--or who even call out other people on their use of either--that grammar privilege is a thing.

From missing out on job opportunities to facing unequal testing to simply being judged on others and shunned on social media, people with disabilities, or who code switch, or who speak English as a second or third language, or have other barriers are harmed by this "quirk." It's not a quirk or cute. It's harmful and we need to stop doing it. 

I get that it's uncomfortable to acknowledge it. It feels terrible! As an English major, teacher and writer, I am so sad that I engaged in this behavior for decades of my life. I also know that by seeing it and tellig others about it, and refusing to judge people by their grammar and spelling, we can help change things for the better and create a more just society. I do hope that you visit the links above to learn more. Here are a few more to read:

Judging A Person's Spelling And Grammar Reveals More About You Than It Does About Them

Grammar, the world's most under-recognized social construct

"Grammar nazis" and Literary Privilege 

Why Grammar Snobbery Has No Place in the Movement

Stop Correcting Other People's Grammar

How do you judge people by their language, or how have you been judged? How has it affected you? Share your stories in the chat.

Once upon a midnight dreary, I met a snail by the name of Gary... is that not how it goes? Well you could have fooled me, since I'm reading totally new takes on Poe this year! My family is enjoying a collection of re-imagined Poe works called His Hideous Heart while we re-read many of his works to compare and contrast this year.

No, there's not a Spongebob reference, but there are plenty of fun new, modern twists on his classic works that still feature his vibe. It's a perfect book to share with teens exploring Poe.

What dark poems are you reading right now? Share them in the chat!

Poems are such powerful tools with which to teach history. My teen and I have been reading several collections by Black poets as well as poems describing events in history that really make some of the material resonate. There is so much power in the rhythm and form of poetry.

Last night we finished Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life, and the organization of the poems really emphasized the stories of eleven people who were treated like property. I ran across this list of poetry books that also teaches history and look forward to exploring more. 

What historical poetry books have you enjoyed or learned from? Share them in the chat.