“And relief: to bleed / in one place, for one reason,” -Allison Benis White, The Wendys (Four Way Books)

We shouldn't be touching our faces, even in poems, but still . . .

“and placed my grief in the mouth of language the only thing that would grieve with me” —Lisel Mueller

Anna Akhmatova died on this date in 1966. * Wild honey has a scent—of freedom Dust—a scent of sunshine And a girl’s mouth—of violets. But gold—nothing. Water—like mignonette. And like apple—love. But we have learned that Blood smells only of blood. (tr Katie Farris)

Linda Gregg, who was born on this day in 1942.

The late (and great) James Tate on the prose poem.

Another CLOSE UP DETAIL-Vincent van Gogh's "Vase of Spring Blooms" 1886 arrival in Paris👨‍🎨

Congratulations to Allison Benis White (Allison Benis White), winner of the ​Lucille Medwick Award, selected by ​Cameron Awkward-Rich. Read the winning poem and the judge's citation: ow.ly/QCsZ50ISPNQ

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Dorothea Grossman: