The hottest Poetry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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age of abundance | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 31 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry
  1. Governments and politicians may spread lies for personal gain, even at the cost of human lives and trust in the media.
  2. Social media and the internet have a powerful influence on society, possibly causing harm and spreading misinformation.
  3. An uprising of ordinary people who value honesty and truth can still make a difference by recognizing and speaking out against deception.

Forms: the Italian Sonnet

Autoscriptorium β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 17 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Writing
  1. Poetic forms are like the best games where you play with rules and challenge yourself creatively.
  2. Italian Sonnets have a specific structure with 14 lines split into an octave and a sestet, each playing a different role in the poem.
  3. Italian Sonnets usually follow a specific rhyme scheme of a-b-b-a for quatrains and c-d-c-d-c-d for tercets, with a volta marking a turning point.

proletarian father | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 31 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'Proletarian Father' reflects on the hardships and memories of the father's past, including struggles with housing and work.
  2. The imagery in the poem paints a vivid picture of the father's life, from sharing a bed with siblings to dealing with industrialization's impact.
  3. The poem captures moments of vulnerability and strength, showcasing the interplay between faith, family, and societal challenges.

Letter to Rebecca #25-01

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing Poetry Books Essays Letters
  1. The writer prefers quiet moments after the holiday rush, finding joy in low-key family gatherings rather than loud celebrations. It's okay to cherish solitude and more subdued experiences.
  2. The writer enjoys exploring new readings and has subscribed to a newsletter even without reading the articles yet, showing they value the publisher's reputation. Discovering new things can happen even before diving deep into them.
  3. There's humor in everyday situations, like using cleaning as an excuse to exercise, reminding us that we can find fun and creativity in mundane tasks. Life is what you make of it, even while doing chores!
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May day in Berlin | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 70 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on a grandmother with dreadlocks and the cross-cultural family she belongs to.
  2. The dream sequence in the poem evokes feelings of connection and unfamiliarity.
  3. The writing captures the shared experiences and differences between the narrator and the grandmother.

autumn waves | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 56 implied HN points β€’ 29 Sep 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'Autumn Waves' captures a beautiful moment by the ocean involving a brother's son.
  2. The imagery in the poem paints a vivid picture of joy and exploration along the coast.
  3. The poem evokes a sense of wonder and pride through the connection between man and boy as they explore the beach.

A Typology of Hesitation

Autoscriptorium β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 08 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Imagery Symbolism Mystery
  1. The author explores where unwritten poems may go, pondering on the loss of unrecorded creations.
  2. The text delves into different ways in which unwritten words and phrases may be stored or embodied, from cryptograms to follices.
  3. Each unwritten word may have a cosmic significance, tying into distant stars and unknown futures.

how to make the slush pile | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 77 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'how to make the slush pile' is featured on tumbleweedwords.substack.com.
  2. The poem addresses individuals from elite backgrounds, particularly those from prestigious universities and private schools.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial on Tumbleweed Words.

Poetry in Stone

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 22
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Architecture Nature History Culture
  1. Tor House and Hawk Tower were built by poet Robinson Jeffers and deeply connect with the natural landscape. The buildings seem to rise naturally from the hillside, blending with the environment around them.
  2. Jeffers had a strong bond with nature, which greatly influenced his poetry. He wrote about the land, ocean, and life around him in a way that paints vivid images and teaches readers about the natural world.
  3. Geological elements frequently appear in Jeffers' work. He described rocks and waves with rich metaphors, showing the power and beauty of the earth, and felt a strong connection to the land he built his home on.

Holy Books

Slack Tide by Matt Labash β€’ 123 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Author Poetry Interviews Writing Books
  1. Appreciate wisdom in various forms, whether from religious texts like Psalms and Proverbs or from writers like Jim Harrison.
  2. Seek inspiration from those who share your passions and values, like how Harrison connected with elements of nature, writing, and indulgence.
  3. Embrace balance and truth, even in indulgence, as advocated by Harrison's views on drinking and facing life's challenges with humility.

war cry | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 63 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem discusses the consequences of war on children, highlighting how they may become killers at a young age.
  2. It reflects on the impact of war, suggesting that children forced into violence may not have a chance to grow up.
  3. The poem evokes a sense of sadness and loss, painting a bleak picture of youth affected by conflict.

at parlour with permanent ink | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 67 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'at parlour with permanent ink' talks about getting tattoos and the deeper meanings behind them.
  2. The poem emphasizes the importance of relationships, trust, and reflection on oneself.
  3. There's a theme of togetherness, entitlement, and introspection present throughout the poem.

a self-help guide | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 67 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem discusses being welcomed into homes and conversations by others.
  2. It mentions not being able to afford the means to reach far-off places.
  3. The post encourages readers to subscribe for more content and offers a free trial.

bittersweet | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 56 implied HN points β€’ 04 Aug 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'bittersweet' reflects on love and relationships.
  2. The imagery in the poem captures themes of change and tension.
  3. Consider subscribing to Tumbleweed Words for more poetry like this.

The nature of the way

Silentium β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Silence Poetry
  1. The post discusses an invitation to silence and introspection.
  2. It mentions the guiding words from Thomas Merton about the nature of the Way (Tao).
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to Silentium for more content and a 7-day free trial.

Audio Dispatch for Paid Subscribers (9)

The Joyous Struggle β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 19 Nov 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Celebration Reflections Poetry Knowledge Connection
  1. The post discusses musings on Diwali, reflections on props used in a speech, and the zetetic knowing concept.
  2. There is a reading from a book by David Hinton that explores poetry's attempt to describe our contact with reality.
  3. Substack serves as a platform encouraging continued writing, thinking, and sharing among people.

As Lovely as a Tree

Crow & Colophon β€’ 3 HN points β€’ 15 Jun 24
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Prose Programming Interpretation Criticism
  1. The question of whether algorithms can be considered beautiful, like poetry, sparks thoughtful considerations about the nature of code and its impact on our world.
  2. The discussion highlights the interconnectedness between literature, programming, and the human condition, prompting reflections on the beauty and artistry inherent in code.
  3. Various perspectives from programmers and computing experts showcase the idea of code as poetry and how programming can be seen as a form of art, invoking creativity, skill, and ingenuity.

A Valentine Gush

The False Consensus Effect β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 14 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Painting Love Music Video
  1. The author reflects on their relationship with their partner and the love that has grown over time.
  2. The post includes personal elements like songs and a love letter from the past, showcasing the depth of their connection.
  3. There's a theme of enduring love and appreciation for their partner, demonstrated through art and memories shared in the post.

process of ours | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 70 implied HN points β€’ 19 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'process of ours' emphasizes the creative process of writing.
  2. The poet encourages exploring emotions and consistency in writing.
  3. The poem highlights the importance of narrative voice and storytelling techniques.

two | poems

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 56 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. The post features two poems by David from Tumbleweed Words.
  2. The poems reflect on the uncertainty and beauty found in the world.
  3. Readers can subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access more content.

On Seeking Sufis, Soundscapes, and The Self (Ch. 17)

Ink-uilab β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 29 Oct 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Music Devotion Tradition Poetry
  1. Begin the journey of seeking by immersing yourself in the cultural and spiritual experience of qawwali performances.
  2. Appreciate the deep-rooted traditions and generational ties of qawwali performers, honoring their dedication to the art form.
  3. Understand the profound impact of Sufism on qawwali, where music transcends the auditory to become a spiritual and communal experience.

The Prompt

Cybernetic Forests β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Visual art Technology Prompts AI
  1. Artificial Intelligence models like DALLE and Imagen can create photorealistic outputs from text prompts based on statistical analysis of images.
  2. The act of writing a poem involves a personal emotional experience that machines, lacking emotion, cannot replicate.
  3. The interpretation of machine-generated outputs as art or poetry lies with humans, who bring their own context and response to these creations, making them art through recontextualization.

Spring in February

Thinking about... β€’ 94 implied HN points β€’ 14 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry History Culture
  1. Valentine's Day initially was connected to birds and the concept of spring by Chaucer.
  2. Chaucer's poem suggests that the celebration was linked to the transition into a hopeful spring.
  3. February, the month in which Valentine's Day falls, marked the beginning of various agricultural activities signaling the start of spring.

See If You Can Get Through the Entire Day Nose Breathing

The False Consensus Effect β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 15 Apr 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Diversity Parenthood Poetry Inspiration
  1. Try nose breathing for the entire day: It can have positive health effects like reducing snoring and aiding weight loss.
  2. Question routine medical procedures: Colonoscopies, while beneficial for some, may not be necessary for everyone and can be pricey.
  3. Embrace diversity and inclusivity: Expressing commitment to social justice, equality, and education can help create a more just world for all.

All peas are babies

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 30 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Poetry
  1. Peas are described metaphorically as babies in this post, highlighting their journey from the soil to being consumed by humans.
  2. The process of picking and preparing peas is depicted as a somewhat tragic fate for these tiny vegetables.
  3. The author adds a touch of humor at the end, acknowledging a fondness for peas despite the somber narrative.

Derek Walcott, On the Water

Autoscriptorium β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Art Critique
  1. Derek Walcott believes that poetry and prayer are intertwined, never separating the act of writing poetry from prayer.
  2. Walcott values the recitation element in poetry, emphasizing the importance of voice in performing poetry.
  3. In 'The Season of Phantasmal Peace,' Walcott constructs beautiful imagery through rhythmic syllable counts and juxtapositions, creating a vivid and contemplative scene.