The hottest Poetry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics
Nice Try β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 27 Nov 23
  1. A new novel called 'Good Luck' will start being posted online.
  2. The author plans to share it weekly, specifically on Thursdays.
  3. This is a special offering for paying subscribers who support the author's work.
Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 74 implied HN points β€’ 19 Dec 24
  1. True love means accepting someone's flaws and growing together. It's about being there for each other, no matter what changes occur over time.
  2. Caregiving is tough, but it is a profound act of love. It shows how much we care about someone, even when the work feels heavy and challenging.
  3. Love is messy and complicated, but choosing to love anyway is what truly matters. Recognizing our own flaws while being there for those we care about is a big part of being human.
Splattern β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 17 Nov 23
  1. Taking care of yourself is important for being a good leader and team player. It's easy to get stressed out by responsibilities and forget to listen to others.
  2. Nikki Giovanni is a talented poet and storyteller who uses humor and vulnerability in her work. Her approach to art is about connecting with people rather than just delivering messages.
  3. Dancing and having fun are great ways to socialize and connect with others. Sharing tips with friends can make the experience even better.
Into the Hedge β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 16 Nov 23
  1. The story of the Exceptional Tree illustrates the transformation from loss and decay to new life and growth.
  2. Despite experiencing winter and appearing lifeless, the tree eventually reveals new growth, showcasing forces of decay and growth shaping its exceptional form.
  3. The constant cycle of seasons highlights the ever-evolving nature of the tree and how change doesn't erase the essence of what once was.
Critic at Large β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
  1. Winter Tangerine was a short-lived magazine created by a young African poet to amplify unheard voices through poetry, short stories, and visual art.
  2. The magazine showcased the evolution of poems through a section called 'Shedding Skins' and featured exceptional visual art alongside literary works.
  3. Winter Tangerine provided a platform for emerging writers and artists, particularly from marginalized communities, offering imaginative language and unique perspectives.
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Autoscriptorium β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 23
  1. Poetry can shift our perception, revealing new angles and insights. It has the power to redress injustices and correct our views.
  2. Seamus Heaney, an Irish poet, skillfully blends sight and sound in his work. His poems reflect a deep sense of connection to the land and the sea.
  3. Heaney's poems like 'Lightenings' offer profound insights and emotions. His verses explore themes of mortality, infinity, and the marvels of existence.
The Chris Hedges Report β€’ 75 implied HN points β€’ 27 Nov 24
  1. Stories from the Middle East show the real lives and struggles of people in that region. They remind us that they are just as human as we are.
  2. The themes of exile and longing for connection are common in these stories. Many characters face loss of identity and struggle with being seen as outsiders.
  3. Reading these stories can open the door to understanding Middle Eastern culture. They serve as an introduction to many talented writers and their experiences.
Tumbleweed Words β€’ 17 implied HN points β€’ 23 Aug 25
  1. The poem plays with vivid imagery and emotions, mixing personal memories with abstract concepts. It's like a journey through feelings and experiences that are both relatable and surreal.
  2. The poet expresses a sense of longing and freedom, touching on themes of love, escapism, and the struggle for identity. There’s a feeling of searching for connection amidst chaos.
  3. Humor and raw honesty are woven throughout, showcasing life's ups and downs. The language is playful but also introspective, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives.
Austin Kleon β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 27 Aug 24
  1. Reading can be more enjoyable if you have different books around you. If a book isn't capturing your attention, it's okay to set it down and choose something else.
  2. Elisa Gabbert enjoys singing and finds karaoke a fun way to express herself. She feels connected to music and has a lot of favorite songs that always lift her mood.
  3. Elisa suggests that instead of seeing reading and writing as chores, we should turn our interests into enjoyable activities. She believes in following fleeting obsessions as they can enrich your knowledge and creativity.
Autoscriptorium β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 23
  1. Poetry is about the line, which contains thoughts spilling beyond; the breaks and movements are perceived differently by the eye than by the ear.
  2. A.R. Ammons was a prolific American poet who had a unique background outside of the typical academic path, with origins in rural North Carolina.
  3. In Ammons' poem 'Hymn,' he explores themes of seeking unity with something beyond oneself, incorporating precise scientific language into his work.
Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 03 Nov 23
  1. In Homer's epic poetry, rivalry and competition between heroes play a significant role, shaping the narratives and relations between characters.
  2. The comparison between generations in Homer's work challenges the idea of valuing the past over the present, showcasing a dynamic of improvement and advancement.
  3. The Theban epic tradition, though not directly preserved in extant Homer texts, had a significant impact on the Homeric world, contributing to themes of heroism and conflict.
Nick Merrill β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 23
  1. The speaker reflects on moments of awakening and awareness in daily life.
  2. Nature imagery and sensory experiences are used to evoke a sense of presence.
  3. The poem explores themes of sleep, realization, and the beauty of the natural world.
Philosophy bear β€’ 71 implied HN points β€’ 24 Nov 24
  1. People can't easily tell the difference between AI and human-made art. In fact, they often prefer the AI art, even if it’s not very good.
  2. AI can produce poetry that at least matches the level of a talented amateur. Some AI-generated haikus can even be quite nice.
  3. There's still a question about whether AI can create art that is truly great. It remains unclear how to measure what's undeniably good in art.
Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 50 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 25
  1. Change happens slowly over time, it's not always sudden. You might not notice it day to day, but over the years, things can shift a lot.
  2. Understanding someone's struggles can come from their relationships, like in stories where personal lives influence their work. It shows how feelings and experiences shape creativity.
  3. Literature often reflects personal experiences, and authors might use their own lives in their stories. This can lead to some interesting insights about their characters.
As Ever β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 25
  1. The poem explores the life and struggles of Pontius Pilate, showing his feelings about his role in a foreign land. He feels stuck in a tedious job that brings him no joy or glory.
  2. Pilate reflects on the concept of truth and power, realizing that his decisions shape the world around him. He knows that sometimes, truth requires tough choices and compromises.
  3. Despite his weariness, Pilate has a moment of clarity when he chooses to act and not back down. This decision hints at the weight of his responsibility in a world filled with chaos.
A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 22 Aug 23
  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.
Carefree Sketches β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jul 23
  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.
The Elbow β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jul 23
  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.
The False Consensus Effect β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 01 May 23
  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.
Caleb’s Newsletter β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jun 23
  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.
Passing Time β€’ 234 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jun 23
  1. The concept of mixing memory and desire has a deep impact on our lives
  2. The balance between rage and tranquility is essential for achieving goals
  3. Memory and desire are intertwined, shaping our past and future
Soaring Twenties β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 24
  1. The Symposium on Buses presented a collection of short stories, essays, poetry, and a film all centered around the theme of buses, offering a variety of creative perspectives on this everyday mode of transportation.
  2. The contributors showcased diverse writing styles and storytelling techniques, captivating the readers with their unique voices and imaginative narratives.
  3. The Symposium highlighted the power of art in transporting readers and viewers, emphasizing the value of creativity and storytelling in capturing moments and emotions.
Sounds Good! β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 24
  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.
lettersonbeing β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
  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
Tumbleweed Words β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 21 Aug 25
  1. Life can get busy and hectic sometimes, and that's perfectly fine. It's okay to take a break when things become overwhelming.
  2. There will be times when you may feel disconnected from your creative side. It's normal for inspiration to come and go.
  3. New experiences, like moving or starting a new job, can refresh your perspective and possibly stimulate your creativity.
Soaring Twenties β€’ 131 implied HN points β€’ 13 Mar 24
  1. The poem explores the concepts of unity and diversity through discussions about music and movies.
  2. It showcases the idea of unity-in-diversity in relationships, where individuals with different tastes can still find common ground.
  3. The piece emphasizes how art can bring people together and create unity, even in the midst of differing opinions and preferences.
Desk Notes by Charles Schifano β€’ 48 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
  1. Death is a common theme in our language, showing up in many phrases and everyday conversations. This reflects how deeply the idea of death influences our thoughts and expressions.
  2. Words related to life, such as 'vital' and 'vivacious,' are also frequently used in discussions to convey a sense of energy and positivity. These words connect to our experiences and perceptions of being alive.
  3. Both death and life are rich topics in literature, often explored through powerful quotes and themes. They reveal our struggles and feelings about existence, making them relatable and poignant.
Soaring Twenties β€’ 231 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jun 23
  1. The poem reflects on mortality, legacy, and passing down wisdom through generations.
  2. The piece showcases artistic expression without conforming to algorithms.
  3. Soaring Twenties promotes reader support to maintain and create new content.
lettersonbeing β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. The author writes daily for a year as part of the project 'Thirty-One'.
  2. Memories and scents of daily life are beautifully described in the writing.
  3. Kindness and smiles are highlighted as positive reflections in life.
Soaring Twenties β€’ 224 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jun 23
  1. Romance is a big theme in writing and requires vulnerability and care to handle well.
  2. Different writers explored romance through poetry, fiction, and essays in a diverse and engaging way.
  3. The Symposium on Romance featured a variety of beautiful and thought-provoking pieces that captivate the essence of love and relationships.
Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality β€’ 61 implied HN points β€’ 05 Nov 24
  1. The steam engine in the 1800s was a major turning point in technology and industry. It paved the way for engineering careers and the growth of modern corporations.
  2. There's a temptation to explore fantasy worlds instead of focusing on practical history. Imagining magical places can be just as captivating as real advancements.
  3. Literature often discusses the magical and mundane aspects of life, revealing deeper meanings and connections. Books can blend reality with fantasy in fascinating ways.
Vremya β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jun 22
  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.
Thoughts on Writing β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 23
  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.
Soaring Twenties β€’ 231 implied HN points β€’ 07 May 23
  1. The topic of Death evoked deep and varied responses from writers.
  2. The contributions ranged from personal essays to poetry, showcasing different perspectives.
  3. The Symposium highlighted the power of exploring complex themes through creative mediums.
The Reactionary β€’ 145 implied HN points β€’ 24 Dec 23
  1. Art can bring solace and meaning to both creators and audiences.
  2. Personal tragedies and despair can inspire profound and enduring works of art.
  3. The famous Christmas song 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' was born out of a poignant moment during the Civil War and personal hardships faced by the poet.
Desk Notes by Charles Schifano β€’ 60 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 24
  1. Listening to how you speak can help improve your writing. Pay attention to moments when you hesitate or struggle to find the right words; this is where your best ideas can emerge.
  2. The search for the right word can be difficult, but it's a valuable process for a writer. Those tricky moments highlight what you really want to express and push you to find better ways to describe it.
  3. Saying what you feel but can't easily put into words is a key part of writing. Embracing confusion and uncertainty can actually lead to more compelling stories and ideas.
Tumbleweed Words β€’ 21 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jun 25
  1. Traveling can be a journey filled with new experiences and challenges. Even when things get tough, the adventure continues.
  2. From exploring unknown places to meeting new people, there's always something beautiful waiting ahead. Stay open to what's next.
  3. Each step of the journey might feel like a struggle, but there's a sense of discovery and hope that keeps pushing you forward.
Castalia β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 08 Aug 22
  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 topicsβ€”personal relationships and the impact of technologyβ€”but they do so with varying levels of success and depth, leaving readers searching for more clarity.