Tag Archives: Poetry

On Poetry & Change

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Adam Penna

I fear that I’m not a very good friend sometimes.  I can be thoughtless and absentminded, and even when I think to call the people I love–and I do love them–the phone seems suddenly to weigh ten tons, and I … Continue reading →

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Two Poems in Albatross

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Adam Penna

I’ve got two poems published in the newest issue of Albatross.  Please check them out.  You can download a pdf version of the journal at the site.  Special thanks to Richard Smyth, editor of Albatross and Anabiosis Press, for his … Continue reading →

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On Becoming a Poet

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Adam Penna

I’ve been meaning for weeks now to write a post here about becoming a poet and never was the urge more strongly felt than after reading a poem by Edward Thomas two weeks ago.  The poem, called “Adlestrop,” ends like this: … Continue reading →

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On the Lowly

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Adam Penna

A.R. Ammons’ poem “Still” reminds us that nothing in the world is lowly, and that everything is in “surfeit of glory.”  And finally he concludes that even the most seemingly lowly things, from beggars to ticks, are “magnificent with being.” … Continue reading →

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Five Poems in Apple Valley Review

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Adam Penna

I’ve got a few poems published in the newest edition of the Apple Valley Review.  Thanks to Leah Browning, editor of AVR.

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On “A Poet’s Confession”

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Adam Penna

The cause of his suffering is that he always wants to be religious and always goes the wrong way about it and remains a poet: consequently he is unhappily in love with God. –Kierkegaard What is the difference between a … Continue reading →

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On Poetry and Childlessness

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Adam Penna

Rilke speaks in his letters about the loneliness of childhood, and I think this Romantic notion of that state is generally accepted by most artists.  And there is something to be said about the long stretches of boredom–at least, it … Continue reading →

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Revising Revision

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Adam Penna

A few years ago I wrote a long essay called “Why Poetry Doesn’t Matter.”  I only remember now the gist of that argument.  And the conclusion went something like this.  When considering the uses of poetry, we ought not to … Continue reading →

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On Little Songs & Lyrics to Genji

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Adam Penna

Next month, S4N Books releases my first full-length collection of poems, Little Songs & Lyrics to Genji.  Actually, the book contains not one full-length collection, but two long sequences.  The first, “Little Songs,” is a series of sonnet-like poems presented … Continue reading →

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Sabbatical

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Adam Penna

I started this blog to correspond with my sabbatical, which began officially in January and ended when I taught my first class in September.  It was a rough few days the first week, and I’m still not altogether used to … Continue reading →

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