Poem-a-Day - "celestial water anointed his heart"

May 22, 2024

asian american/pacific islander heritage month

extracts from ramakien

In Ramakien, the Thai-language rendition of the Indic tale of Rama, a god born into a royal family is tasked with upholding moral virtue. Read an excerpt from the version completed in 1798 at the court of King Rama I (r. 1782–1809), translated from the Thai by Frederick Goss.

“Abduction of Nang Sida”
“Suphanamatcha”
“Hanuman Carries the Mountain to Cure Phra Lak”

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“I do see the poet as someone whose role it is to push back against anti-intellectualism, anti-activism, and passivity in general.”

Revisit this interview with Brenda Shaughnessy from the sixth annual Poets Forum in New York City, October 18–20, 2012.

Discover more content from our archives in honor of Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

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From our archives: In memory of Langston Hughes, who passed away on this day in 1967, we share a letter from him to Elizabeth Kray, the first executive director of the Academy of American Poets.

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Calling all high school English teachers! Register for the Academy’s three-day, online professional-development intensive for educators seeking valuable tools for opening doors to poetry in the classroom. Limited spots available.

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literary seminars

Starting today: a one-of-a-kind course on Gilgamesh’s history, poetic power, and modern reception, led by celebrated scholar and translator of the ancient epic, Sophus Helle.

Three sessions: Today, May 22, May 29, and June 5
2:30–3:45 pm ET

Have to miss a session? Recordings are available.

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#poetrynearyou pick of the week

Don’t miss “Harnessing the Healing Power of Stories: Narrative Theory and Narrative Practice,” taught by Annie Brewster and Jonathan Adler of Health Story Collaborative. Hear the stories of participants, including 2023 Poet Laureate Fellow Glenis Redmond. Tuesday, May 28, 6:30–8 p.m. EST.

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poetry coalition

In the spring and summer, the Poetry Coalition, an alliance of nearly thirty independent poetry organizations across the United States, will offer a slate of programs that reflect the transformative impact poetry has on individual readers and communities across the nation.

Thanks to the generous support of the Mellon Foundation, the Academy of American Poets continues to serve as the administrator of the Poetry Coalition, expanding its reach and impact.

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jobs for poets

The Poetry Coalition is seeking paid, part-time fellows at CantoMundo, Indigenous Nations Poets (In-Na-Po), Letras Latinas, Mass Poetry, O, Miami, The Poetry Center at San Francisco State University, and Urban Word. Individuals with a passion for poetry and an interest in arts administration can learn more and apply here by July 3.
Miami Dade College in Florida is seeking a full-time English faculty.
Mass Poetry is seeking an SCI AmeriCorps Fellow to fill the role of community engagement coordinator.
HarperOne in New York, New York, is seeking a full-time senior editor.

last week’s poem-a-day

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

May 12: “Green Burial Unsonnet” by Dante Di Stefano
May 13: “Te Utu O Te Ika A Maaui / Te Utu O Te Motu A Maui” by essa may ranapiri
May 14: “When The World Falls in Around You or, Vows to My Palestinian Wife on Our Wedding Day” by Lehua M. Taitano
May 15: “We Live We Live” by Brandy Nālani McDougall
May 16: “Tiananmen Square, 1989” by Marisa Lin
May 17: “Duplex for the Sick & Tired” by Kay Ulanday Barrett
May 18: “Night-Piece” by Solomon ibn Gabirol

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Poem-a-Day - "celestial water anointed his heart"

Older messages

"To The People Who Have Resisted the Urge to Push an Asian Person Into the Path of a Moving Train" by Bao Phi

"Last" by Anjoli Roy

"Kaōnōn" by Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner

Starting in 3 days: a new course on Gilgamesh

"The Excursion" by Tu Fu, translated by Florence Wheelock Ayscough

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