The hottest Poetry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Open Thread 320

Astral Codex Ten β€’ 2821 implied HN points β€’ 18 Mar 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Community Contest AI Research Poetry
  1. The 2023 Forecasting Contest winners were determined with an ambiguous scoring criteria, resulting in a few surprise winners
  2. The ACX Grants impact market has received 53 proposals, including projects such as growing blood vessels in the lab and a swarm of robotic bees
  3. A Reddit thread discussing an AI-generated reading of a poem from ACX highlights the speculation around AI involvement in online discussions

a defender of people | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 08 Feb 25
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Fiction Prose Essays Drama
  1. The poem reflects on the bond between friends, showing how shared experiences are important in friendship. It captures moments of connection, like watching each other and being present in tough times.
  2. There's a sense of nostalgia and growth as the speaker mentions their friend changing over time, from youth to maturity. This highlights how friendships evolve as we age and experience life together.
  3. The imagery used in the poem illustrates the beauty of observation and deep insight into another person’s life. It shows that just witnessing someone can create a powerful impact and foster understanding.

Surprised by Joy?

Meaning || Matter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Sep 24
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Essays Biographies
  1. Unexpected joy can come from being curious and open to the world around us. Sometimes, simply noticing something ordinary, like a tree, can lead to a wonderful experience.
  2. Reading can spark new insights and help us think differently. Engaging deeply with books allows us to connect with ideas and experiences we might not have considered before.
  3. We can prime ourselves for joyful discoveries by maintaining an open mindset and exploring different perspectives. Making space for new ideas can lead to surprising moments of delight.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Final Words of British Monarchs Presented as Modernist Poetry

Londonist: Time Machine β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jun 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History Literature Poetry Monarchy Events
  1. The death of British monarchs marks significant historical shifts and eras, often defined by the reigning monarch's passing.
  2. The final words of British monarchs, though sometimes apocryphal, offer intriguing insights and can be read almost like modernist poetry.
  3. The rapid succession of power in British monarchy, like Charles becoming king upon Queen Elizabeth's death, is a unique phenomenon that seemingly defies physical laws.

Flowerings and flourishings

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie β€’ 1737 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Memoir Mythology Reading Poetry
  1. The author reflects on finding enchantment and solace in the summer despite not being a summer person, attributing it to their new stone house and connection to nature.
  2. They share their experience of making improvements to their new house during the summer months and express gratitude for living the life they've always dreamed of.
  3. The author announces new projects, such as a self-study version of their online course and monthly membership program, as well as upcoming lecture series and gatherings focused on mythic stories.

Ars Poetica

Seven Senses β€’ 539 implied HN points β€’ 25 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Poetry Art Music Literature Creative Expression
  1. Poetry connects us to deeper feelings and the divine. Unlike regular language, it speaks to our soul and can feel more complex or mysterious.
  2. Poetry can take many forms beyond written words, including art, sound, and even scents. This shows how flexible and expressive poetry can be.
  3. Everyday experiences can be tied into poetry, whether it's through textiles or video. This makes poetry a part of our daily lives and interactions.

3 poems from the sports section

Austin Kleon β€’ 1498 implied HN points β€’ 24 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Visual Arts Creative Writing Cultural critique
  1. The sports section of newspapers is great for crafting blackouts because of the simple and expressive language used by athletes and coaches.
  2. Even though the New York Times recently disbanded its sports department, this section continues to inspire creative writing.
  3. Using nouns and verbs from sports articles can help create interesting and relatable poetry, highlighting themes like time and idleness.

To Whom It May Concern

Castalia β€’ 1238 implied HN points β€’ 28 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Writing Poetry Fiction Literary Criticism Creative Nonfiction
  1. The recommendation letters highlight unusual and quirky characteristics of applicants, showing diverse and challenging backgrounds.
  2. Each candidate has distinct creative projects they are working on, ranging from deep personal struggles to dark humor.
  3. Despite their various issues, the letters suggest that these individuals could bring unique perspectives and contributions to a workshop setting.

Return of the Old Gods

Reactionary Feminist β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Poetry Fantasy Mythology Spirituality
  1. People often seek deeper meaning and joy in a world that feels disenchanted. They're looking for something to believe in amidst the chaos.
  2. The rise in fantasy writing reflects our desire to reconnect with a sense of enchantment that we feel has been lost. It's like finding old gods in new stories.
  3. Many individuals express a longing for love and loyalty as they navigate their emotional journeys, similar to themes found in classic poetry.

Babylon π’†π’€­π’Šπ’† 

Cosmographia β€’ 1497 implied HN points β€’ 20 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Poetry Literature Cartography Photography
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography related to a specific location.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only, showing that exclusive content is available on the platform.
  3. M. E. Rothwell is the author of the post, offering insights into Babylon through a unique lens.

Poetry Writing and Me

Soaring Twenties β€’ 170 implied HN points β€’ 15 Nov 24
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Writing Creative Education Arts
  1. Poetry writing can feel strange and uncertain, especially without clear feedback. It's common to question if one is really a poet after vague responses to their work.
  2. Enjoying poetry as a reader can inspire someone to try writing it. Taking a class can help improve skills, but a supportive environment is crucial.
  3. Listening to talented poets can spark motivation to create. Sometimes, personal artistic pursuits like music or poetry can fill a gap and connect with others.

Kamchatka

Cosmographia β€’ 1457 implied HN points β€’ 06 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Cartography Photography Poetry
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography related to a specific place.
  2. To access this post, you need to be a paid subscriber to Cosmographia.
  3. The post features content centered around Kamchatka and includes contributions from M. E. Rothwell.

Red fur and flourishings

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie β€’ 1377 implied HN points β€’ 05 May 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Nature Mythology Poetry Books Events
  1. The newsletter discusses the joy of connecting with nature through observing red squirrels and highlights the importance of finding lightness in a heavy world.
  2. The newsletter shares information about a new oracle deck called 'The Rooted Woman Oracle' available for pre-order, which aims to deepen the connection with nature and spiritual nourishment.
  3. The newsletter promotes an online course and upcoming events focused on exploring fairy tales, mythology, and nature, emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling and connecting with the environment.

I made you some poems

Austin Kleon β€’ 2318 implied HN points β€’ 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Art Poetry Education Creativity Inspiration
  1. Creating art can be a source of comfort and inspiration. Making blackout poems is one way to express creativity and find joy in the process.
  2. It's important for teachers and artists to keep practicing their craft. Staying engaged in making things helps them grow and inspire others.
  3. Feedback from others can motivate artists to create more. Positive comments can encourage experimentation and exploration in their artistic journey.

Brilliant Young Voices

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 74 implied HN points β€’ 19 Dec 24
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Poetry Writing Reading Education
  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.

Poetry intermission

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie β€’ 1178 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Authors Readings Contemporary Classics
  1. The author shares three audio/video recordings of poems read by actors that they find are perfectly matched to the poems.
  2. The author observes a trend in their preference for male poets in contrast to their interest in reading novels by women, sparking self-reflection.
  3. The author highlights 'The Love Song of Alfred J. Prufrock' by T.S. Eliot, 'The Song of Wandering Aengus' by W.B. Yeats, and 'At Roane Head' by Robin Robertson as must-listen poems with actor readings.

York

Cosmographia β€’ 1118 implied HN points β€’ 02 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Poetry Photography Cartography
  1. This post is part of the Atlas’ Notes series on Cosmographia, centered around a specific place with a mix of art, poetry, and literature.
  2. The content in the post is exclusive for paid subscribers of Cosmographia, offering a deeper dive into a particular topic.
  3. The post features work by M. E. Rothwell and provides a link for interested readers to subscribe to access more content.

Songs on the Death of Children

Something to Consider β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Poetry Art History Philosophy
  1. Friedrich RΓΌckert wrote hundreds of poems after losing his children, showing how deeply grief can affect a parent. It's a powerful reminder of how loss can inspire profound creativity.
  2. People in the past faced death more regularly, especially with children. It's important to recognize that they felt grief just as strongly as we do today.
  3. The loss of children is still a significant issue today, as illustrated by the high number of child deaths from preventable causes like malaria. It's crucial to address and care for these vulnerable lives.

Little Children Riding Dogs

Opaque Hourglass β€’ 359 implied HN points β€’ 24 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Creativity
  1. The image of little children riding dogs is interesting to imagine - like a nostalgic and whimsical idea where kids bond with their pets in a unique way.
  2. The concept of 'Elementalism' in poetry is highlighted, showing how simple yet powerful imagery can leave a lasting impact on the reader.
  3. The poem captures a sense of innocence and beauty, portraying a lovely scene of children and dogs in a school setting, evoking a feeling of nostalgia and wonder.

"A Christmas Carol"

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 32 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Drama Essays
  1. Stave Four of 'A Christmas Carol' presents a haunting image of death, making us confront our own mortality. It's a powerful reminder of the impact our choices have on our lives.
  2. The depiction of Scrooge's grave in this section evokes a sense of dread and reflection. Looking at one's own grave can be a terrifying but necessary experience to reevaluate our lives.
  3. The story encourages us to think about how we want to be remembered and the legacy we leave behind. It pushes us to consider our actions and their effects on others.

Eclipse Poem

Opaque Hourglass β€’ 279 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 24
πŸ“š Literature Poetry
  1. An eclipse can be seen with fresh perspective and is just a natural way of moistening our eyes.
  2. Eclipses can serve as a way to refresh and renew, much like a baptism from the origins of life.
  3. The act of blinking could be compared to a mini eclipse, contributing to moistness and clarity in our vision.

Vague Blue

gen yeet β€’ 491 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Poetry Writing Films Fashion Essays
  1. The newsletter has a new name and will feature weekly reviews for subscribers.
  2. The author reflects on a poem by Frank O'Hara and its relevance to their life in New York.
  3. The author discusses influences and mentions relevant reporters and writers in internet culture.

Pardon the egg salad stains

Crow & Colophon β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 24
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Poetry Short Stories Editors Readers
  1. Reading for a literary magazine involves editors wading through numerous submissions to select the few that stand out, which can be a challenging yet rewarding process.
  2. The beginning of a story in a literary magazine is crucial, often marked by an efficient and intriguing introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the narrative.
  3. Literary magazine editors look for clear, engaging beginnings that promise to captivate readers, preferring simplicity over convoluted prose to maintain reader interest.

Stories from the Center of the World (w/ Jordan Elgrably) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report β€’ 75 implied HN points β€’ 27 Nov 24
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Poetry Cultural Studies Creative Writing
  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.

Souvenirs that outlive us

Austin Kleon β€’ 1978 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Creativity Poetry History Design
  1. Creating art is often messy and unpredictable. It's not always as straightforward as the end result might suggest.
  2. Inspiration can come from the most mundane things, like everyday objects. Even clothespins can spark creativity and lead to new artistic ideas.
  3. Blackout poetry doesn't have to come from traditional sources like books. Using unusual materials can make the process fun and unique.