Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation
@brinkerhoffpoetry.bsky.social
A literary nonprofit bringing you great poetry from across places, eras, and traditions.
https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/
https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/
Pinned
"It works, there is nothing wrong with it.
You have a hole, it’s a poultice.
You have an eye, it’s an image.
My boy, it’s your last resort."
Brontez Purnell performs Sylvia Plath's poem "The Applicant" in a new film directed by Jean Coleman.
You have a hole, it’s a poultice.
You have an eye, it’s an image.
My boy, it’s your last resort."
Brontez Purnell performs Sylvia Plath's poem "The Applicant" in a new film directed by Jean Coleman.
We're proud to once again be supporting PoetryFest at the Irish Arts Center.
Join in for readings and conversations by poets of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and North America from December 5th through 7th.
irishartscenter.org/...
Join in for readings and conversations by poets of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and North America from December 5th through 7th.
irishartscenter.org/...
November 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We're proud to once again be supporting PoetryFest at the Irish Arts Center.
Join in for readings and conversations by poets of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and North America from December 5th through 7th.
irishartscenter.org/...
Join in for readings and conversations by poets of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and North America from December 5th through 7th.
irishartscenter.org/...
"Here in my native inland sea
From pain and sickness would I flee
And from its shores and island bright
Gather a store of sweet delight."
Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, "Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior"
From pain and sickness would I flee
And from its shores and island bright
Gather a store of sweet delight."
Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, "Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior"
Jane Johnston Schoolcraft - "Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior"
Here in my native inland sea
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"Here in my native inland sea
From pain and sickness would I flee
And from its shores and island bright
Gather a store of sweet delight."
Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, "Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior"
From pain and sickness would I flee
And from its shores and island bright
Gather a store of sweet delight."
Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, "Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior"
"Hundreds of finches in road
resting, drinking from puddles."
@katedurbin.bsky.social performs Michael Earl Craig's poem "Driving Home" in this week's new poem film.
resting, drinking from puddles."
@katedurbin.bsky.social performs Michael Earl Craig's poem "Driving Home" in this week's new poem film.
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"Hundreds of finches in road
resting, drinking from puddles."
@katedurbin.bsky.social performs Michael Earl Craig's poem "Driving Home" in this week's new poem film.
resting, drinking from puddles."
@katedurbin.bsky.social performs Michael Earl Craig's poem "Driving Home" in this week's new poem film.
Reposted by Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation
Do join us if you are in Dingle tomorrow evening, Saturday 22nd. Just one of a wonderful programme of events for the @dinglelit.bsky.social @brinkerhoffpoetry.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @poetryireland.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.ie/e/poetry-is-...
www.eventbrite.ie/e/poetry-is-...
Poetry Is Language Caught Alive: An evening of poetry and film
Join four of Ireland's leading poets for an intimate multimedia evening event in partnership with The Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.
www.eventbrite.ie
November 21, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Do join us if you are in Dingle tomorrow evening, Saturday 22nd. Just one of a wonderful programme of events for the @dinglelit.bsky.social @brinkerhoffpoetry.bsky.social @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social @poetryireland.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.ie/e/poetry-is-...
www.eventbrite.ie/e/poetry-is-...
Reposted by Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation
From Hala Alyan's book, The Twenty-Ninth Year: bookshop.org/a/862/9781328511942
#poem #booksky #writing
#poem #booksky #writing
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
From Hala Alyan's book, The Twenty-Ninth Year: bookshop.org/a/862/9781328511942
#poem #booksky #writing
#poem #booksky #writing
What you must manage is to bring to mind
A landscape not worth looking at, some bleak
Champaign at dead November’s end, its grass
As dry as lichen, and its lichens grey.
Richard Wilbur, "Walking to Sleep"
A landscape not worth looking at, some bleak
Champaign at dead November’s end, its grass
As dry as lichen, and its lichens grey.
Richard Wilbur, "Walking to Sleep"
Richard Wilbur - "Walking to Sleep"
As a queen sits down, knowing that a chair will be there,
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
What you must manage is to bring to mind
A landscape not worth looking at, some bleak
Champaign at dead November’s end, its grass
As dry as lichen, and its lichens grey.
Richard Wilbur, "Walking to Sleep"
A landscape not worth looking at, some bleak
Champaign at dead November’s end, its grass
As dry as lichen, and its lichens grey.
Richard Wilbur, "Walking to Sleep"
"We need no runners here. Booze is law
and all the Indians drink in the best tavern.
Money is free if you're poor enough."
James Welch was born on this day in 1940.
Here, M. L. Smoker reads his poem "Harlem, Montana: Just Off the Reservation."
and all the Indians drink in the best tavern.
Money is free if you're poor enough."
James Welch was born on this day in 1940.
Here, M. L. Smoker reads his poem "Harlem, Montana: Just Off the Reservation."
M. L. Smoker reads "Harlem, Montana: Just Off the Reservation" by James Welch
We need no runners here. Booze is law
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"We need no runners here. Booze is law
and all the Indians drink in the best tavern.
Money is free if you're poor enough."
James Welch was born on this day in 1940.
Here, M. L. Smoker reads his poem "Harlem, Montana: Just Off the Reservation."
and all the Indians drink in the best tavern.
Money is free if you're poor enough."
James Welch was born on this day in 1940.
Here, M. L. Smoker reads his poem "Harlem, Montana: Just Off the Reservation."
Reposted by Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation
God what a poem.
From Marie Howe's book, What the Living Do: bookshop.org/a/862/9780393318869
#poem #booksky #writing
From Marie Howe's book, What the Living Do: bookshop.org/a/862/9780393318869
#poem #booksky #writing
November 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
God what a poem.
From Marie Howe's book, What the Living Do: bookshop.org/a/862/9780393318869
#poem #booksky #writing
From Marie Howe's book, What the Living Do: bookshop.org/a/862/9780393318869
#poem #booksky #writing
I like the lady horses best,
how they make it all look easy,
like running 40 miles per hour
is as fun as taking a nap, or grass.
I like their lady horse swagger,
after winning. Ears up, girls, ears up!
Ada Limón, "How To Triumph Like a Girl"
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/how-to...
how they make it all look easy,
like running 40 miles per hour
is as fun as taking a nap, or grass.
I like their lady horse swagger,
after winning. Ears up, girls, ears up!
Ada Limón, "How To Triumph Like a Girl"
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/how-to...
Ada Limón - "How To Triumph Like a Girl"
I like the lady horses best
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I like the lady horses best,
how they make it all look easy,
like running 40 miles per hour
is as fun as taking a nap, or grass.
I like their lady horse swagger,
after winning. Ears up, girls, ears up!
Ada Limón, "How To Triumph Like a Girl"
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/how-to...
how they make it all look easy,
like running 40 miles per hour
is as fun as taking a nap, or grass.
I like their lady horse swagger,
after winning. Ears up, girls, ears up!
Ada Limón, "How To Triumph Like a Girl"
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/how-to...
We’re happy to share that New Zealand's Aotearoa Poetry Film Festival has selected six of our films for their festival this year!
Congratulations to poets and performers Hala Alyan, Freddie Fox, Stephen James Smith, Cornelius Eady, Willie Perdomo, and Jenny Xie.
Congratulations to poets and performers Hala Alyan, Freddie Fox, Stephen James Smith, Cornelius Eady, Willie Perdomo, and Jenny Xie.
APFF | Poetry Film Festival
APFF - The website of the Aotearoa Poetry Film Festival
www.aotearoapff.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
We’re happy to share that New Zealand's Aotearoa Poetry Film Festival has selected six of our films for their festival this year!
Congratulations to poets and performers Hala Alyan, Freddie Fox, Stephen James Smith, Cornelius Eady, Willie Perdomo, and Jenny Xie.
Congratulations to poets and performers Hala Alyan, Freddie Fox, Stephen James Smith, Cornelius Eady, Willie Perdomo, and Jenny Xie.
Manhattan is a Lenape word.
Even a watch must be wound.
How can a century or a heart turn
if nobody asks, Where have all
the natives gone?
@nataliediaz.bsky.social, "Manhattan is a Lenape Word"
Even a watch must be wound.
How can a century or a heart turn
if nobody asks, Where have all
the natives gone?
@nataliediaz.bsky.social, "Manhattan is a Lenape Word"
Natalie Diaz - "Manhattan is a Lenape Word"
Manhattan is a Lenape word. Even a watch must be wound.
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Manhattan is a Lenape word.
Even a watch must be wound.
How can a century or a heart turn
if nobody asks, Where have all
the natives gone?
@nataliediaz.bsky.social, "Manhattan is a Lenape Word"
Even a watch must be wound.
How can a century or a heart turn
if nobody asks, Where have all
the natives gone?
@nataliediaz.bsky.social, "Manhattan is a Lenape Word"
"It works, there is nothing wrong with it.
You have a hole, it’s a poultice.
You have an eye, it’s an image.
My boy, it’s your last resort."
Brontez Purnell performs Sylvia Plath's poem "The Applicant" in a new film directed by Jean Coleman.
You have a hole, it’s a poultice.
You have an eye, it’s an image.
My boy, it’s your last resort."
Brontez Purnell performs Sylvia Plath's poem "The Applicant" in a new film directed by Jean Coleman.
November 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
"It works, there is nothing wrong with it.
You have a hole, it’s a poultice.
You have an eye, it’s an image.
My boy, it’s your last resort."
Brontez Purnell performs Sylvia Plath's poem "The Applicant" in a new film directed by Jean Coleman.
You have a hole, it’s a poultice.
You have an eye, it’s an image.
My boy, it’s your last resort."
Brontez Purnell performs Sylvia Plath's poem "The Applicant" in a new film directed by Jean Coleman.
I cannot sing, because when a child,
My mother often hushed me.
The others she allowed to sing,
No matter what their melody.
Edward Nathaniel Harleston, "I Cannot Sing"
My mother often hushed me.
The others she allowed to sing,
No matter what their melody.
Edward Nathaniel Harleston, "I Cannot Sing"
Edward Nathaniel Harleston - "I Cannot Sing"
I cannot sing, because when a child,
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I cannot sing, because when a child,
My mother often hushed me.
The others she allowed to sing,
No matter what their melody.
Edward Nathaniel Harleston, "I Cannot Sing"
My mother often hushed me.
The others she allowed to sing,
No matter what their melody.
Edward Nathaniel Harleston, "I Cannot Sing"
Headed to LitFilm 2025 at @bklynlibrary.bsky.social this week? Catch our film of @jallenpaisant.bsky.social's reading of Wislawa Szymborska's "The Silence of Plants" on Saturday 11/15, accompanying the Szymborska documentary Life is bearable. At times.
LitFilm 2025: Wislawa Szymborska: Life is bearable. At times. | Brooklyn Public Library
Documentary, dir. by Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska Poland, 2009, 73 min Life is bearable. At times looks at the life of the Nobel Prize-winning Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska, revealing a sympathetic, humble, and charismatic person. The film, released in 2009, includes comments and insight from people who knew Szymborska, who died in 2012, including Woody Allen, Václav Havel, Umberto Eco, and Jane Goodall.
www.bklynlibrary.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Headed to LitFilm 2025 at @bklynlibrary.bsky.social this week? Catch our film of @jallenpaisant.bsky.social's reading of Wislawa Szymborska's "The Silence of Plants" on Saturday 11/15, accompanying the Szymborska documentary Life is bearable. At times.
"The pear tree that last year
was heavy laden this year
bears little fruit. Was
it that wet spring we had?"
James Schuyler was born #OnThisDay in 1923.
Watch Padraig Regan's performance of Schuyler's poem "Shimmer."
was heavy laden this year
bears little fruit. Was
it that wet spring we had?"
James Schuyler was born #OnThisDay in 1923.
Watch Padraig Regan's performance of Schuyler's poem "Shimmer."
Padraig Regan reads "Shimmer" by James Schuyler
The pear tree that last year
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"The pear tree that last year
was heavy laden this year
bears little fruit. Was
it that wet spring we had?"
James Schuyler was born #OnThisDay in 1923.
Watch Padraig Regan's performance of Schuyler's poem "Shimmer."
was heavy laden this year
bears little fruit. Was
it that wet spring we had?"
James Schuyler was born #OnThisDay in 1923.
Watch Padraig Regan's performance of Schuyler's poem "Shimmer."
"The sea rose angrily.
It knew that freedom here was short."
Declan O'Connor reads John Robert Lee's "Skeete's Bay, Barbados" in the final film in this year's collaboration with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
It knew that freedom here was short."
Declan O'Connor reads John Robert Lee's "Skeete's Bay, Barbados" in the final film in this year's collaboration with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
Declan O'Connor reads "Skeete's Bay, Barbados" by John Robert Lee
One always missed the turning, but found, in time
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"The sea rose angrily.
It knew that freedom here was short."
Declan O'Connor reads John Robert Lee's "Skeete's Bay, Barbados" in the final film in this year's collaboration with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
It knew that freedom here was short."
Declan O'Connor reads John Robert Lee's "Skeete's Bay, Barbados" in the final film in this year's collaboration with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
"Each day is a threshold of the same dream.
I awake to the clatter of leaves,
a frayed dawn cawing in its wooden cage."
Jennifer Elise Foerster, "The Outskirts"
I awake to the clatter of leaves,
a frayed dawn cawing in its wooden cage."
Jennifer Elise Foerster, "The Outskirts"
Jennifer Elise Foerster - "The Outskirts"
Each day is a threshold of the same dream.
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"Each day is a threshold of the same dream.
I awake to the clatter of leaves,
a frayed dawn cawing in its wooden cage."
Jennifer Elise Foerster, "The Outskirts"
I awake to the clatter of leaves,
a frayed dawn cawing in its wooden cage."
Jennifer Elise Foerster, "The Outskirts"
This month, we’ve partnered with @dinglelit.bsky.social to bring you two events featuring our films!
dinglelit.ie
dinglelit.ie
November 4, 2025 at 5:29 PM
This month, we’ve partnered with @dinglelit.bsky.social to bring you two events featuring our films!
dinglelit.ie
dinglelit.ie
We are delighted to share that we are part of the collaborative contributing to the Literary Arts Fund, a new initiative of $50M that will be providing grants to US literary arts nonprofits supporting publishing and writing.
Learn more at literaryartsfund.org.
Learn more at literaryartsfund.org.
Literary Arts Fund
The Literary Arts Fund advances support for the nonprofit literary arts field toward ensuring creative writers’ contributions to American literature for generations to come.
literaryartsfund.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
We are delighted to share that we are part of the collaborative contributing to the Literary Arts Fund, a new initiative of $50M that will be providing grants to US literary arts nonprofits supporting publishing and writing.
Learn more at literaryartsfund.org.
Learn more at literaryartsfund.org.
My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk.
John Keats, born #OnThisDay in 1795.
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk.
John Keats, born #OnThisDay in 1795.
John Keats - "Ode to a Nightingale"
My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk.
John Keats, born #OnThisDay in 1795.
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk.
John Keats, born #OnThisDay in 1795.
"We are alone
because the dead are alone."
James Byrne performs Michael Hartnett's poem "For Edward Hartnett" in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
because the dead are alone."
James Byrne performs Michael Hartnett's poem "For Edward Hartnett" in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
October 30, 2025 at 2:25 PM
"We are alone
because the dead are alone."
James Byrne performs Michael Hartnett's poem "For Edward Hartnett" in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
because the dead are alone."
James Byrne performs Michael Hartnett's poem "For Edward Hartnett" in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
In the thistledown fall,
He sings towards anguish; finches fly
In the claw tracks of hawks
On a seizing sky.
Dylan Thomas was born #OnThisDay in 1914.
He sings towards anguish; finches fly
In the claw tracks of hawks
On a seizing sky.
Dylan Thomas was born #OnThisDay in 1914.
Dylan Thomas - "Poem on his Birthday"
In the mustardseed sun,
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In the thistledown fall,
He sings towards anguish; finches fly
In the claw tracks of hawks
On a seizing sky.
Dylan Thomas was born #OnThisDay in 1914.
He sings towards anguish; finches fly
In the claw tracks of hawks
On a seizing sky.
Dylan Thomas was born #OnThisDay in 1914.
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main."
Obioma Ugoala performs John Donne's "No man is an island" from Meditation XVII in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
Obioma Ugoala performs John Donne's "No man is an island" from Meditation XVII in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
October 23, 2025 at 2:38 PM
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main."
Obioma Ugoala performs John Donne's "No man is an island" from Meditation XVII in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
Obioma Ugoala performs John Donne's "No man is an island" from Meditation XVII in a film created with @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social.
I once that lov’d the shady woods so well,
Now thought the rivers did the trees excel,
And if the sun would ever shine, there would I dwell.
Anne Bradstreet, "Contemplations"
Now thought the rivers did the trees excel,
And if the sun would ever shine, there would I dwell.
Anne Bradstreet, "Contemplations"
Anne Bradstreet - "Contemplations"
Sometime now past in the Autumnal Tide
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I once that lov’d the shady woods so well,
Now thought the rivers did the trees excel,
And if the sun would ever shine, there would I dwell.
Anne Bradstreet, "Contemplations"
Now thought the rivers did the trees excel,
And if the sun would ever shine, there would I dwell.
Anne Bradstreet, "Contemplations"
"But nothing whatever is by love debarred,
The common and banal her heat can know."
Patrick Kavanagh was born #OnThisDay in 1904. Here, Aaron Monaghan performs his poem "The Hospital."
The common and banal her heat can know."
Patrick Kavanagh was born #OnThisDay in 1904. Here, Aaron Monaghan performs his poem "The Hospital."
October 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
"But nothing whatever is by love debarred,
The common and banal her heat can know."
Patrick Kavanagh was born #OnThisDay in 1904. Here, Aaron Monaghan performs his poem "The Hospital."
The common and banal her heat can know."
Patrick Kavanagh was born #OnThisDay in 1904. Here, Aaron Monaghan performs his poem "The Hospital."