Topic: Poetry

A Poem From Our New Poet Laureate, Philip Levine

A Poem From Our New Poet Laureate, Philip Levine

A new U.S. Poet Laureate was crowned yesterday, and it’s Pulitzer Prize winner Philip Levine. The 83-year-old writer’s tenure will begin in October, when he’ll replace current Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin. Next year, I assume I’ll replace Philip, using as my resume angry poems about boys written in the margins of my 7th grade European History text book. Let’s take a break from pondering the existence of the Kardashians and take a look at one of Philip Levine’s poems. Don’t worry about it being too lofty; it’s totally about a bar: More »

Video: Common Performs at the White House, Nation Still Intact

Video: Common Performs at the White House, Nation Still Intact

When rapper and activist Common was invited to perform at a White House celebration of poetry earlier this week, Fox News went nuts, accusing the artist of being, essentially, a cop-killing gangsta rapper. Which is absurd, because Common is one of the most positive and socially conscious rappers out there. The show took place last night — here’s Common’s performance, which, shockingly, did not incite a national race riot, and was instead rather lovely. More »

Girl Crushable: Eternia

Girl Crushable: Eternia

When Canadian rapper Eternia (born Silk-Anne Semiramis Dawn Craig Kaya) came on the scene in 2005, she made it clear that her songs wouldn’t shy away from women’s issues and traumas. But she also has a playful side, taking her stage name from the mythical planet that He-Man defends in the ’80s cartoon. Those attitudes come together in her music — four full-length offerings — and a cheeky T-shirt she designed, which reads, My Favorite Rapper Wears A Skirt. More »

Vinny Guadagnino Composes ‘Jersey Shore’ Goodbye Poem

Vinny Guadagnino Composes 'Jersey Shore' Goodbye Poem

Now that this season of Jersey Shore is over, how will we while away the hours until the gang goes to Italy? We can start by reading Vinny Guadagnino‘s blog, Words By Vinny, which he started in February. On the blog – which only has a handful of posts so far, but I guess the dude has been busy – he talks about religion and what he likes in a girl. This past Thursday, when the Jersey Shore season finale aired, he posted the following poem on his blog. More »

Crushable Books: Pirate Haiku

Crushable Books: Pirate Haiku

Much like I Hate Everything, the listicle booklet we reviewed several weeks ago, Pirate Haiku is the type of Barnes and Noble gift you pickup as an after-thought on the way out the door after you decide that a Nook is too expensive of a Christmas gift for your niece you only see once every two weeks.

At least the the title isn’t misleading: Every page of 185 book by Michael P. Spradlin is taken up by exactly one 5-7-5 syllable poem. Such as: More »