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
Cuirim mo dhóchas ar snámh
//
I place my hope on the water
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performs Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's poem "Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
//
I place my hope on the water
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performs Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's poem "Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
"That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang..."
Simon Callow performs William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73" in our latest poem film.
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang..."
Simon Callow performs William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73" in our latest poem film.
December 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
"That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang..."
Simon Callow performs William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73" in our latest poem film.
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang..."
Simon Callow performs William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73" in our latest poem film.
"What is left of me? The songs I sang
to keep from sleeping sound like
nothing more than rain."
Happy birthday to @sadqueer4life.bsky.social!
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/i-am-d...
to keep from sleeping sound like
nothing more than rain."
Happy birthday to @sadqueer4life.bsky.social!
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/i-am-d...
Joshua Jennifer Espinoza - "I Am Draped in Heavenly Skin"
I am draped in heavenly skin from head to toe. Back then they said
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
"What is left of me? The songs I sang
to keep from sleeping sound like
nothing more than rain."
Happy birthday to @sadqueer4life.bsky.social!
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/i-am-d...
to keep from sleeping sound like
nothing more than rain."
Happy birthday to @sadqueer4life.bsky.social!
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/i-am-d...
"As I ate I asked dictionary
what is difficult about love?"
Shakeel Haakim performs Raymond Antrobus' "To Sweeten Bitter" in a 2024 poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
what is difficult about love?"
Shakeel Haakim performs Raymond Antrobus' "To Sweeten Bitter" in a 2024 poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
December 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"As I ate I asked dictionary
what is difficult about love?"
Shakeel Haakim performs Raymond Antrobus' "To Sweeten Bitter" in a 2024 poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
what is difficult about love?"
Shakeel Haakim performs Raymond Antrobus' "To Sweeten Bitter" in a 2024 poem film created with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
"Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness."
James Wright was born on this day in 1927. Here, Campbell McGrath reads his poem "A Blessing."
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness."
James Wright was born on this day in 1927. Here, Campbell McGrath reads his poem "A Blessing."
Campbell McGrath reads "A Blessing" by James Wright
Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
December 13, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness."
James Wright was born on this day in 1927. Here, Campbell McGrath reads his poem "A Blessing."
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness."
James Wright was born on this day in 1927. Here, Campbell McGrath reads his poem "A Blessing."
Cuirim mo dhóchas ar snámh
//
I place my hope on the water
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performs Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's poem "Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
//
I place my hope on the water
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performs Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's poem "Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
December 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Cuirim mo dhóchas ar snámh
//
I place my hope on the water
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performs Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's poem "Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
//
I place my hope on the water
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performs Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's poem "Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
We're thrilled to be supporting @poetryireland.bsky.social's Poet in Residence program.
Our congratulations to Sean Borodale!
Our congratulations to Sean Borodale!
Poetry Ireland is delighted to announce the appointment of Sean Borodale as its new Poet in Residence.
Read more about Sean and the role at: www.poetryireland.ie/news/poetry-...
The Poet in Residence is supported by @brinkerhoffpoetry.bsky.social
Read more about Sean and the role at: www.poetryireland.ie/news/poetry-...
The Poet in Residence is supported by @brinkerhoffpoetry.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 8:33 PM
We're thrilled to be supporting @poetryireland.bsky.social's Poet in Residence program.
Our congratulations to Sean Borodale!
Our congratulations to Sean Borodale!
"The poets, my friend, are where they have always been—
living in paper houses without countries,
along rivers and in forests that are disappearing."
Tishani Doshi, born #OnThisDay.
@coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
living in paper houses without countries,
along rivers and in forests that are disappearing."
Tishani Doshi, born #OnThisDay.
@coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
Tishani Doshi - "Find the Poets"
I arrived in a foreign land yesterday,
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
"The poets, my friend, are where they have always been—
living in paper houses without countries,
along rivers and in forests that are disappearing."
Tishani Doshi, born #OnThisDay.
@coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
living in paper houses without countries,
along rivers and in forests that are disappearing."
Tishani Doshi, born #OnThisDay.
@coppercanyonpress.bsky.social
"You can still feel the community pack
This place: it’s like going into a turfstack,
A core of old dark walled up with stone
A yard thick."
Sodiq Ajibola Abiola performs Seamus Heaney's "In Gallarus Oratory" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
This place: it’s like going into a turfstack,
A core of old dark walled up with stone
A yard thick."
Sodiq Ajibola Abiola performs Seamus Heaney's "In Gallarus Oratory" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
December 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"You can still feel the community pack
This place: it’s like going into a turfstack,
A core of old dark walled up with stone
A yard thick."
Sodiq Ajibola Abiola performs Seamus Heaney's "In Gallarus Oratory" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
This place: it’s like going into a turfstack,
A core of old dark walled up with stone
A yard thick."
Sodiq Ajibola Abiola performs Seamus Heaney's "In Gallarus Oratory" in a new film that premiered last month at @dinglelit.bsky.social.
"Carried her unprotesting out the door.
Kicked back the casket-stand. But it can't hold her,
That stuff and satin aiming to enfold her,
The lid's contrition nor the bolts before."
Gwendolyn Brooks died 25 years ago on this day.
Kicked back the casket-stand. But it can't hold her,
That stuff and satin aiming to enfold her,
The lid's contrition nor the bolts before."
Gwendolyn Brooks died 25 years ago on this day.
Gwendolyn Brooks - "the rites for Cousin Vit"
Carried her unprotesting out the door.
www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org
December 4, 2025 at 12:11 AM
"Carried her unprotesting out the door.
Kicked back the casket-stand. But it can't hold her,
That stuff and satin aiming to enfold her,
The lid's contrition nor the bolts before."
Gwendolyn Brooks died 25 years ago on this day.
Kicked back the casket-stand. But it can't hold her,
That stuff and satin aiming to enfold her,
The lid's contrition nor the bolts before."
Gwendolyn Brooks died 25 years ago on this day.
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.