I first read Brionne Janae’s poetry in a Community Building Art Work’s class last spring—their work inspired our whole class to strive to write greatly. Isn’t that what wonderful work does, inspire us?

I started scouring the internet for more of Janae’s poems, and I found this beauty of a poem, “Swimming Lessons,” published by The Sun. (I also really love it when the title of a poem works on two levels, as this one does here.)

I liked the poem so much that I then shared it with my own classes to inspire my students to write greatly. I think it worked.

This poem is posted here with permission by the poet, Brionne Janae. ”Swimming Lessons” was first published in The Sun in February 2020. The poem is part of Brionne Janae’s forthcoming collection, Blessed are the Peacemakers, winner of the 2020 Cave Canem Northwestern University Press Poetry Prize (due out in spring 2022). Learn more about the poet here.

Thank you so much, Brionne Janae, for allowing me to share your poem with my readers, and thank you for the inspiration.

You can listen to Robert McCready reciting the poem here.

During the month of April, which is National Poetry Month, I am sharing poems I love from contemporary writers. I hope to pique your interest in poetry, if it needs to be piqued, and to show you that a really great poem can be accessible to all. If you missed the other poems, you can find them here and here and here.

Photo credit (pool): Ann from Unsplash.

Upcoming Events, Readings, Interviews & Workshops

Moments that Matter: an Introduction to Flash Nonfiction
May 5, 2021, 6:30-8 p.m. EST
In this workshop, we’ll talk about what flash nonfiction is, how it works, and why it works. Together we’ll mine some powerful flash pieces for effective techniques you can use in your own writing. This program is part of Press 53’s High Road Festival of Poetry and Short Fiction. Cost: $30. Register here.

***NEW CLASS***
Make Your Poetry Titles Do More of the Heavy Lifting
May 26, 2021, 6:30-8 p.m. EST
Poem titles should serve your poem rather than simply being a way to navigate the contents page. Together we'll look at poems with titles that work hard, contribute to the poem, and offer zing and pizzazz, so your titles will entice readers and better serve your poetry. (P.S. All this can apply to flash nonfiction titles, too.) This program is part of Press 53’s High Road Festival of Poetry and Short Fiction. Cost: $30. Register here.

The Art of Memoir & Personal Essay: A Generative Writing Workshop
June 9-July 7, 2021 (Wednesdays), 2:30-5 p.m. (EST)
Join me in this five-week, online (Zoom) workshop during which you will generate new writing, read writing that inspires, and learn some tools and techniques on the craft of personal essay/memoir writing. There are no critiques in this workshop. The goal is for you to leave with first drafts and a writer’s toolbox ready to help you finish and write the rest of your own life stories. Space is limited. Learn more here. Cost: $349. Early bird rate $299 available until May 8 or until space is filled. Register here.

Let’s Write Together!
Having a hard time finding inspiration and motivation to write? Join me for any (or all) of these online one-hour sessions. We’ll talk about a piece of writing, I will give you a prompt, and then you will WRITE. These workshops are part of Press 53’s High Road Festival of Poetry and Short Fiction. Cost: $10/session.
April 27, noon EST: Register here
May 4, noon EST: Register here
May 18, noon EST: Register here