The hottest Poetry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

poor as a church mouse | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 60 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'Poor as a Church Mouse' reflects on struggles and isolation.
  2. The imagery includes living on despair and crumbs, feeling rabid like a stray dog.
  3. The poet contemplates on the impact of anger and the process of personal growth over time.

red mist | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 81 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on memories of a train ride from Praha to Moravia during a past time of political turmoil.
  2. The poet captures the atmosphere of anxiety and hope in the train carriage through vivid imagery and emotions.
  3. The post invites readers to subscribe for a free trial to access more poetry content and archives.

So long as there's syllables

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 39 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. Writing haikus can be a great way to express yourself in a structured form with 17 syllables and specific line requirements.
  2. Setting realistic expectations for yourself is important to avoid feeling overwhelmed and disappointed.
  3. Life can often get in the way of plans and goals, so finding the balance between ambition and reality is key.
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The Mystic and the Poet

Carefree Sketches • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry Language Philosophy
  1. The mystic and the poet both relate to language in unique ways, with the mystic going deeper into questioning conventional language while the poet focuses on capturing fleeting moments.
  2. The mystic wants a total overhaul of language usage to communicate reality accurately, whereas the poet prefers creating sensory impressions with language.
  3. Prose can act as a mediator between the poet and the mystic, balancing between capturing moments and expressing eternal truths.

Prosaic Enjambment

The Elbow • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry Prose Narrative structure Semantics
  1. Enjambment is a technique in writing where a thought is split between lines or structural units for reading flow.
  2. Enjambment is not only found in poetry, but also in other mediums like film and music, enhancing the flow of storytelling.
  3. Enjambment can be applied in non-poetic writing, such as prose, by strategically breaking up paragraphs or sentences to create suspense and flow.

May Day

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Artists Poetry Creativity Philosophy
  1. The author reflects on personal struggles, like health issues and temptations to drink, while creating art on cardboard.
  2. The text criticizes the disparity in wages between different professions and suggests that teachers and healthcare workers should be paid more.
  3. The author contemplates escaping to a place where they can be supported financially for their art, questioning the pursuit of money and the American way of life.

What I've Been Reading | May 2023

Caleb’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Mythology
  1. Poetry is not just a cerebral art form, but also embodied and auditory, with power as a spellbinding tool.
  2. Consider mental disorders as evolutionary vulnerabilities, not adaptations, challenges assumptions about treating symptoms as diseases.
  3. CS Lewis' book 'Till We Have Faces' offers a Christian re-reading of the myth Psyche and Eros and contains intellectual discussions alongside a joyous reading experience.

howl at starving writers | must reads

Tumbleweed Words • 116 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Books Travel Poetry Culture
  1. The author lived among rough men in a bedsit, observing their struggles and lack of communication.
  2. Moving into a new bedsit in the UK was easily done without a contract, showing the transient nature of such accommodations.
  3. Traveling and living on the road in America brought the author in contact with diverse individuals, fostering a deep sense of exploration and cultural immersion.

tidal | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 81 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on the author's childhood in a fishing community in Scotland
  2. It explores themes of local pride, hard work, and the connection to the sea
  3. The author's experience of leaving home, growing up, and reflecting on the past is a central theme

Poem: Clang

Sounds Good! • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Poetry Emotions Friendship Soul Regret
  1. The poem reflects on the soullessness of a friend and the pain of realizing it too late.
  2. The friend in the poem exhibits a lack of vulnerability and is portrayed as psychologically bereft and spiritually bankrupt.
  3. The poem highlights the emptiness and profound sadness caused by a person who seems to lack a soul.

Start the week #89

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
📚 Literature Poetry Writing Education Teachers Essays History
  1. Teachers can have a big impact on our lives. One teacher taught lessons that stayed with me long after class ended.
  2. Exploring poetry can be really meaningful. A poet's words can connect deeply to experiences like love or historical events.
  3. Sharing different writing techniques can help people express themselves better. Teaching a writing course can inspire creativity and improve skills.

Sad Poets Society № 11

lettersonbeing • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📚 Literature Poetry Books
  1. Sad Poets enjoy writing in places with people and noise, finding inspiration in everyday moments
  2. The atmosphere of coffee shops with smoke, aromas, and vulnerability appeals to these poets
  3. There is a unique enchantment in observing and writing in coffee shops

drunk at twenty-two | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 81 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem shares a personal experience of being highly intoxicated at a young age in a pub.
  2. The author reflects on the poor choices made and the company kept during the night.
  3. The writing evokes themes of regret, recklessness, and self-awareness.

Legacy

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 7 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
📚 Literature Poetry Writing Life Reflection Legacy
  1. It's important to talk openly about health issues. Sharing difficult news, like a terminal illness, helps both partners prepare for what’s to come.
  2. Planning for the future is valuable. Thinking about things like a legacy can give us peace and clarity, especially after seeing others' experiences.
  3. Humor can help lighten serious topics. Making jokes about heavy subjects can make them easier to discuss with loved ones.

a question | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 56 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on questions about life and identity.
  2. It encourages not to worry about societal expectations.
  3. Embrace the questions that challenge you and let them shape your journey.

about the one you love | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 35 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on the calm and stillness felt in the presence of a loved one
  2. The imagery of waves and oceans symbolize the depth and evolution of the relationship
  3. The verses explore a deep connection and unity between two individuals

the unfinished | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 84 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on feeling that goals are unattainable.
  2. It explores the struggle of making choices that feel good enough.
  3. The writer contemplates the cost of life and the persistence to keep going.

forgotten | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 74 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem talks about the feeling of remembering the first time and the weight of emotions.
  2. It encourages the reader to think about empathy and understanding the pain of others.
  3. Subscription required to read the full post and access archives.

On Mallarmé’s Tomb for Anatole—Or What to Do With Absence

Vremya • 139 implied HN points • 27 Jun 22
📚 Literature Poetry Grief Memory Existentialism
  1. Loss is hard for everyone, and it's normal to feel surprised or guilty about moving on after someone we love dies. Grief doesn’t always feel the way we expect it to.
  2. Thoughts of those we lost can be fleeting, and life goes on with daily distractions. It's a struggle to balance remembering them with living our own lives.
  3. Creating something in memory of a loved one, like a poem or a piece of art, can help to honor their memory and deal with the absence they left behind.

Pre-post post

Thoughts on Writing • 39 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Podcast Songwriting Conversation
  1. The author is planning to post a three-part 'case against purpose' next week, merging various arguments against purpose into one place. It's based on a recent talk given in Ghent.
  2. The author has engaged in a podcast conversation triggered by their recent post 'All art isn't political', delving into the politics of poetry and creativity, among other topics.
  3. The author has ongoing creative conversations in 'Songwritings' with Kate van der Borgh, interweaving discussions on writing, dream states, and the popularity of the supernatural in the early 20th century.

land of the free | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 99 implied HN points • 12 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'land of the free' examines the concept of America and freedom.
  2. The author reflects on personal experiences with America starting from a young age.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial to access more content on Tumbleweed Words.

cool | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 88 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post shares a poem titled 'cool | poem'
  2. The poem reflects on a memory of a mother multitasking and the narrator's actions
  3. The post includes a link to subscribe and share the poem

New(ish) Books

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
📚 Literature Book Reviews Fiction Poetry Authors Narrative analysis
  1. Brandon Taylor's book 'Filthy Animals' explores complex themes of innocence and agency in relationships, highlighting the mix of playful exploration and underlying trauma present in human interactions.
  2. Justin E. H. Smith's 'The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is' falls short as it lacks a clear thesis and fails to effectively connect historical ideas to the complexities of the modern Internet.
  3. Both books address important topics—personal relationships and the impact of technology—but they do so with varying levels of success and depth, leaving readers searching for more clarity.

October floods | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 56 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post features a poem titled 'October floods'.
  2. The poem reflects on nature and changes caused by autumn winds and floods.
  3. To read the full poem, a subscription to Tumbleweed Words is required.

black swan | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 63 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post features a poem titled 'black swan.'
  2. The content touches on themes of consumption and dissatisfaction.
  3. There is an invitation to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to read more poetry.

too much | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 84 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'too much' explores themes of time and existence
  2. The poet reflects on the concepts of presence and the uncertainty of time
  3. Consider subscribing for more access to poetry like this

idle | poem

Tumbleweed Words • 70 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. Build your days on consequence and actions you take.
  2. Challenges to achieving goals can test self-belief.
  3. In tough times, remember the importance of smiling and staying strong.

Diary #8

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
📚 Literature Poetry Prose Fiction Essays Diary
  1. The text explores vivid descriptions of colors and cityscapes, evoking a sense of beauty and wonder.
  2. It delves into the complexities of human interactions and the unveiling of character through moments of panic and interaction.
  3. There is contemplation on deep emotional experiences, the weight of pain, and the transient nature of existence.