The Best American Poetry

Happy Birthday, Emily

Best American Poetry — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:01:19 PST

I am alive -- I guess -- The Branches on my Hand Are full of Morning Glory -- And at my finger's end -- The Carmine -- tingles warm -- And if I hold a Glass Across my Mouth --...

Real Men [by Sally Ashton]

Sally Ashton — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:02:19 PST

Outside the open window The morning air is all awash with angels. I'm imagining many of you across the country will wake up to a morning like this--snow!--from all the weather reports I've seen. Snow, and lots of it. I...

Tommy Lasorda wishes Frank Sinatra a Happy Birthday

Best American Poetry — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:05:00 PST

December 10 <<< Today is Frank Sinatra's birthday. We should all celebrate because he was a tremendous man who touched many, many lives. He did something for me that I never ever thought possible, and that I will always be...

Michael Lally: Poetry and Brain Surgery (Terence Winch)

Terence Winch — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:23:23 PST

On Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, poet and actor Michael Lally underwent brain surgery at Weill-Cornell hospital in Manhattan. The progression from normal existence to brain surgery took about two weeks—from the time he first experienced some enigmatic symptoms, to a...

Hardy Smackdown (by David Yezzi)

David Yezzi — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:15:23 PST

There's a provocative article in the current issue of the London-based magazine Standpoint titled "Eliot versus Hardy" by Dan Jacobson, an emeritus professor at University College. In it, Jacobson tells of an interesting reversal in his literary tastes: he began...

Real Critics; Real Men [by Sally Ashton]

Sally Ashton — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:43:07 PST

A good poet friend, Nils Peterson, recently lent me an out of print gem. Perhaps some remember the book since it was in print in the early 1960’s and likely has hung around in many poets’ bookshelves long since the...

Catullus #53 (translated by Molly Arden)

Best American Poetry — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:53:00 PST

Listening to the learned Calvus with many an oratorical flourish castigate the demagogue Vatinius, a man in the crowd lifted his hands in astonishment and pleasure, and said, "God, that little prick has a big mouth!" -- translated by Molly...

Speaking of Rejection [by Sally Ashton]

Sally Ashton — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:18:30 PST

Speaking as an editor speaking of rejection I will say this. Rejection involves the Golden Rule: it is better to give than to receive. You didn't really expect me to say the opposite, did you? Anyone who has risked rejection...

Emma Lazarus and "The New Colossus" (by Laura Orem)

Laura Orem — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:57:55 PST

"The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the...

Speaking of Editors [by Sally Ashton]

Sally Ashton — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:01:51 PST

But first—woooooooot! Just JUST finished teaching my last class of the semester. That’s the last of it for this meat grinder. Okay, okay. No more sausage. And I do have something more serious to consider today. It’s Monday, afterall. But...