Animals Buzz In 1757, the poet Christopher Smart was confined, alone, in a lunatic asylum in London. He would remain there for six years with only one friend for company - his cat, Jeoffry. The poem that Smart wrote about Jeoffry (part of a larger piece called “Jubilate Agno”) is one of the loveliest ever written.
Shift Buzz Poet, essayist, feminist, and National Book Award winner Adrienne Rich died today at the age of 82. On Twitter, her fans memorialized her with lines from her work.
Culture Buzz I'm pretty sure this is a beautifully eloquent spoken word poem.
Politics Buzz We aren’t red Americans, we aren’t blue Americans, we are red, white, and blue — and President Obama we are through with you.
Culture Buzz Bukowski's reputation as a crotchety old man who liked to drink and use a lot of swears was well-earned, but this poem from his book The Pleasures of the Damned reveals a softer, kitty-loving side of him.
Culture Buzz As a cute way to promote pedestrian and cyclist safety, New York City is planting over 200 of these nicely illustrated bits of poetry at busy intersections. Hopefully pedestrians and cyclists aren't so distracted by artist John Morse's cleverness they ironically cause an accident.
Culture Buzz There is a magazine called “I Love Cats.” That magazine has a “poetry corner.” These are a few of their best selections. You're welcome.
Culture Buzz Some cats are cute. Some cats are LOL. Some cats are troubled souls who write poetry in the dark as they wait to die. These poems are written by those last cats.
Culture Buzz Mark Zuckerberg has killed poetry. Instead of expressing ourselves with long sonnets to our favorite aspects of this world, we have devolved into clicking a button. Also, this is a huge exaggeration but whatever.
Agustina Woodgate goes to thrift stores and secretly sews poems inside the clothes. Can y'all see the hearts forming where my eyes used to be?! (via booooooom.com)
Pretty deep for a third grader. But not quite at astute as this third grader who took the time out to list 90 types of bitches.
Culture Buzz World Poetry Day is a day for appreciation and support of poets and poetry around the world. It is held on March 21 each year and is an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). What better way to celebrate than by reading profound poetry by some of the world's most talented poets?
Culture Buzz 'Last Letter,” in which Hughes sort-of addresses Plath's suicide, was only recently discovered. You can read it here, but you may prefer this retelling. It depends on whether you like guilt poetry or “real talk.”
Culture Buzz It's National Bad Poetry Day! To celebrate, here's a collection of “poetry” straight from the most romantic fandom on earth: Twilight.
Bill Murray gives a poetry reading to the construction workers who built the new Poets House. F**king beautiful, Bill. [Ed. note: You know what goes well with poetry? Tequila. Just a suggestion.]
I'm going to kick off Poetry Battle in style, with a lyrical ballad devoted to my favorite keyboard playing cat. Submit your own poem to the Poetry Battle for a chance to have it read aloud by BuzzFeed's own Jack Shepherd (in his native British accent!).
T-shirt purveyors Shicon tell the story of an old couple and their pup who poops romantic poetry. I totall feel them. It is always difficult to see the difference between a pooped “l” and “I”.
The humble beginnings of a sonnet about Chuck Norris: “Shall I compare thee to Chuck Norris? You can kick people in the face. Your nothing like a florist(?)” 11 more lines to go, Shakespeare, and you've got yourself a masterpiece.
In the latest round of Michael Jackson's weird stuff auctions there's a poem about doing it with children. It goes: “Children of the world, we'll do it, with song and dance and innocent bliss, and the soft caress of a loving kiss, we'll do it.” Note to the children: don't do it.