Author Archives: Shannon Laws

Poetry Club Talks…Jack Straw Poets 2021

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-scnqc-100b396 Topic: Jack Straw Writers 2021 Host: Shannon Poem: “The Yellow Jackets” and “At Trader Joe’s in South Pasadena​” Recorded: April 10, 2021 2021 Jack Straw Poets This week Poetry Club discusses two poems from each of the three Jack Straw 2021 poets, S. Erin Batiste, Patrycja Humienik, and Abi Pollokoff.  Three brilliant and dynamic poets!  FirstContinueContinue reading “Poetry Club Talks…Jack Straw Poets 2021”

Poetry Club Talks…Wallace Stevens poem The Snow Man

This week at Poetry Club we ask what Is poetry analysis? Poetry analysis is examining the independent elements of a poem to understand the literary work in its entirety.  Poetry Club member Lynn will host the discussion on the poem “The Snow Man” by Wallace Stevens  (1879 – 1955) and we analyze the heck out of it.

The Ugly Truth

Epiphany at 6:53am So in the mid-2010s, I lived with a boyfriend. We moved in together after dating for about a year. I was looking for a place to live and he says, “move in with me.” So I did. You learn a lot more about a person when you live with them. This guyContinueContinue reading “The Ugly Truth”

Poetry Club Talks…Lawrence Ferlinghetti Part 2

This week Poetry Club Talks finishes our discussion about the late poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.  We take a look at a few of his signature poems, discuss word selection, rhyme and speculate on the author’s intention.

Day 350: Absorption

A shift that has started in my writing is absorption. For the previous decade, poems came to me, loudly, processing through my mind and body and shooting out my fingertips to the page. I appreciated the clarity of the thought. What’s happening now is I hear the poem and just friggin’ savor it.

Poetry Club Talks…Lawrence Ferlinghetti Part 1

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vswwh-fce29c Topic: Lawrence Ferlinghetti Host: Ron Poems: “I Am Waiting”, “The Changing Light”, “Natural History” Recorded: March 6, 2021 Ferlinghetti Poems Discussed This week Poetry Club Talks about the late Lawrence Ferlinghetti.  We take a look at a few of his signature poems, discuss tone and form.  Ron is the host.  He shares these thoughts, “TheContinueContinue reading “Poetry Club Talks…Lawrence Ferlinghetti Part 1”

Poetry Club Talks…Margaret Atwood Part 3

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-v9aqy-fc959f Topic: Margaret Atwood’s “Dearly” Host: Betty Poems: “Dearly”, “Betrayal”, “Oh Children”, “Emptiness” Recorded: February 27, 2021 Atwood Four Poems Poetry Club discusses four more poems of the newly released collection “Dearly” in Part 3 of Poetry Club Talks…Margaret Atwood. We acknowledge the returning pattern to environmental questions that demand answers, the silence in betweenContinueContinue reading “Poetry Club Talks…Margaret Atwood Part 3”

BUK 100 – Thank you

“BUK 100” celebrating my poems acceptance into a 100th birthday London edition of poems dedicated to the art and life of Charles Bukowski. Beautiful limited edition, high quality, small press collector books that you can still order–get your copy today! Contact Newington Blue Press, East London, today!

Dreamin’ is Free

I’m dreaming today. I look forward to the gym reopening and, like, being able to hug people again, you know the whole spectrum of touching and standing next to people. Touching surfaces like exercise bikes, armrests in the movie theater, shake a hand “hello”, hug a friend goodbye, but–I will never go bowling again.