Life Story of Deshuan Flowers
Beginning this week, I will be choosing a journal entry from the many that Prisoner Express receives and reflecting on the entry in a brief blog post. I encourage you to visit the online Journal Archive. Sara Life Story of Deshuan Flowers In a little over a page, Deshuan Flowers tells what he titles…
Read MorePoetry Spotlight: Rolf Rathmann
Lately, working through prisoners’ poetry submissions for the 2021 Poetry Anthology, I’ve found that some are particularly profound and well written. I recently read a poem that I wanted to share for its sheer quality, and the feeling I was left with after reading it. I hope you all find it as enjoyable and moving…
Read MoreSummer 2021 Newsletter
Here is the latest Prisoner Express newsletter, being sent to over 4,000 subscribed members. Click here to download PDF – Summer 21 PE Newsletter The knowledge that people read their words and care about their well-being gives prisoners comfort and motivates them to change their lives and habits. Reading one another’s writing helps those in…
Read MoreChapbook Update 22: Elizabeth S. Wolf
Gary Farlow sent in a collection of love poems from North Carolina. Mr. Farlow is a classically trained poet, with an impressive acknowledgements page of prior publications. My comment on this page is: “I have taken workshops which didn’t use repetition this effectively.” Wild Horses A team of wild horses …
Read MoreChapbook Update 21: Elizabeth S. Wolf
Another triolet from Take Pleasure from Pain, written by Andre D Underwood. Mr. Underwood resides in Florida. I might suggest he play up the hyphens; there’s a bit of an Emily Dickinson feel here, which is interesting. My comment on the page is: “Well done. This form works for you.” Lust and Love As we…
Read MoreChapbook Update 20: Elizabeth S. Wolf
I can tell you about a triolet using a triolet by Zebulon Huset, published in the 3rd Wednesday journal. This was included in the educational packet accompanying my chapbook. How to Triolet Line one comes back seventh and fourth, line two is how the poem will end. Line three’s free but rhymes with one: north.…
Read MoreChapbook Update 19: Elizabeth S. Wolf
Several of the writers used standard poetic forms. I gave a few examples in the education packet, but not many. Chapbooks are not expected to be in a formal poetry style. So it’s permitted, but not required. However it is a challenge that was accepted. This is a triolet from Take Pleasure from Pain, written…
Read MoreChapbook Update 18: Elizabeth S. Wolf
This is from the chapbook Time to Heal/ Transitions, written by James Stevahn. Mr. Stevahn resides in Arizona. The title poem is a collection of linked haibun. This form consists of a short bit of prose poetry, followed by a haiku. It can be a very powerful way to communicate in a tight space. Here…
Read MoreChapbook Update 17: Elizabeth S. Wolf
More from the chapbook Burnt, written by Scott Madoulet. Mr. Madoulet resides in Washington. This appears near the end of the book. It may have started as a list poem, or a dictionary poem. A dictionary poem traditionally goes beyond the conventional meaning of the word or brings in other associations. I found this thoughtful…
Read MoreChapbook Update 16: Elizabeth S. Wolf
From the chapbook Burnt, written by Scott Madoulet. Mr. Madoulet resides in Washington. This collection cycles through anger, bitterness, and redemption. This is an excerpt of the opening poem. Burnt (part 1) To change the way I felt, I burnt myself today. Fire cleanses, doesn’t it? Arson led me astray. (I thought) I…
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