New Content for Juneteenth, Poems for Father's Day, and more

June 14, 2022

In honor of Juneteenth next week, read a few poems from The Book of American Negro Poetry (Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1922), edited by James Weldon Johnson.

“Sic Vita” by William Stanley Braithwaite
“The Road To The Bow” by James D. Corrothers
“Sonnet” by Alice Dunbar-Nelson
“The New Day” by Fenton Johnson
“Poem” by Helene Johnson
“Summer Magic” by Leslie Pinckney Hill
“Dusk Song” by William Moore

James Weldon Johnson was born on June 17, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida. The author of several books of prose and poetry, he became the national organizer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1920. Johnson died on June 26, 1938. Celebrate Johnson by reading his poems, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

More Poems for Juneteenth

“Reparation” by Joshua Bennett
“To a Dark Girl” by Gwendolyn Bennett
“We are Marching” by Carrie Law Morgan Figgs
“My People” by Langston Hughes
“Emancipation” by Priscilla Jane Thompson
“For My People” by Margaret Walker

Celebrate Pride Month, browse more LGBTQ poems, essays, books, and photos from the archive, including Adrienne Rich’s letter to Betty Kray, the first Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets.

Poems for Father’s Day

“Purple” by Kwame Dawes
“Of the Threads that Connect the Stars” by Martín Espada
“Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden
“All the Thoughts at a Football Game” by Juan Felipe Herrera
“Asked for a Happy Memory of Her Father, She Recalls Wrigley Field” by Beth Ann Fennelly
“The Gift” by Li-Young Lee
“Shoulders” by Naomi Shihab Nye
“Portrait of My Father as a Pianist” by Cynthia Dewi Oka

Announcing the First Book Award Judge

We’re thrilled to announce that Eduardo C. Corral is the judge of the 2023 Academy of American Poets First Book Award, the most generous first-book prize for poetry in the U.S. The winning manuscript will be published by Graywolf Press and the winning poet will receive a paid residency at Civitella Ranieri. Submissions will be accepted online between July 1 and September 1, 2022.

Jos Charles on Journaling

It has this private, non-performative element that I can give myself permission to be so much more associational. And I don’t know. I remember more. Yeah, that’s been the curious thing. I’m remembering much more, maybe too much. It’s a little bit of the open the flood gates and, oh, no. Remembering what it’s like to be a child again, the poor thing… But it’s… Yeah, no, it’s been good. I recommend it. If you haven’t journaled, I recommend it.

Jos Charles is the author of feeld (Milkweed Editions, 2018), a winner of the National Poetry Series and long-listed for the 2018 National Book Award. Read and listen to Charles discuss her curatorial approach and more on Poets.org.

#PoetryNearYou Pick of the Week

Check out our #PoetryNearYou Pick of the Week: the virtual launch of Human Resources by Ryann Stevenson, the 2021 winner of the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize from Milkweed Editions. Stevenson will be joined in conversation by Richie Hofmann. This event is presented in partnership with the Academy of American Poets, the Alan B. Slifka Foundation, and The Ruby. Wednesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. CDT / 8 p.m. EDT. Register for this free event here.

Watch and listen to Anthony Vahni Capildeo read Kendel Hippolyte’s poem “Bright.” Part of the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation’s Read By series of poetry films.

Apply Now: Poetry Coalition Fellowships

With thanks to the Mellon Foundation, the Poetry Coalition is pleased to announce the 2022–23 Poetry Coalition Fellowships, which are paid fellowship positions hosted by founding member organizations Letras Latinas, Mass Poetry, Urban Word, Woodland Pattern, and Youth Speaks. Applications are being accepted until July 3, 2022. The positions will begin on September 5, 2022 and end on June 30, 2023. Interested individuals who are 21 or older are encouraged to apply, including those who are enrolled in or have recently graduated from an MFA program in creative writing.

The House of Speakeasy in New York City is seeking a part-time Bookmobile Coordinator/Manager.
Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, New York is seeking a full-time store manager.

Revisit last week’s Poem-a-Day selections with us on Poets.org:

June 5: “Of a Certain Friendship” by Elsa Gidlow
June 6: from “When the Rooster Announces the Dawn of Another Day” by Alain Mabanckou
June 7: “Klangfarbenmelodie” by manuel arturo abreu
June 8: “Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’” by Chase Berggrun
June 9: “sky hammer” by Julian Talamantez Brolaski
June 10: “There Is a Black Fly in Your Chardonnay” by Rindon Johnson
June 11: “A Shropshire Lad, XXX” by A. E. Housman

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New Content for Juneteenth, Poems for Father's Day, and more

Older messages

from "Pink Waves" by Sawako Nakayasu

"Bird in Hand" by Jasmine Gibson

"There Is a Black Fly in Your Chardonnay" by Rindon Johnson

"sky hammer" by Julian Talamantez Brolaski

"Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'" by Chase Berggrun

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