In today’s episode, Kemi Alabi talks about poetic practice, pleasure, and play as it presents in their collection Against Heaven, winner of the Academy of American Poets First Book Award (Graywolf, 2022). In this conversation, they discuss the relationship between the secular and profane, subverting and breaking language, and the importance of embracing grief and the emotional body.

Kemi will be reading at the Poetry Foundation on Dec 8th, 2022 – more info below!

Kemi Alabi vs Divinity

The VS podcast is a bi-weekly series where poets confront the ideas that move them. Hosted by poets Ajanaé Dawkins and Brittany Rogers, produced by Cin Pim/Ombie Productions, and presented by the Poetry Foundation.

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2023 Statement from the VS team

In today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae have the pleasure of interviewing Safiya Sinclair. Join them as they discuss the craft of switching to memoir, maintaining self-confidence while navigating academia, what their teenage selves would think of them, and the influence Jamaica has on Safiya’s writing.

Until Next Time:
Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!
Audre Lorde: AUDRE LORDE | Poetry is Not a Luxury
Frida Kahlo: Frida Kahlo: The woman behind the legend - Iseult Gillespie
Derek Walcott: Derek Walcott discusses his painting and poetry

Writing Prompt: Who are you writing for? Who is coming after you that you hope your work makes a difference for? Write them a letter.

Safiya Sinclair vs. The Sea

On today’s episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae interview Courtney Faye Taylor about their award winning collection Concentrate. Listen in as they discuss writing with an ethic of care, studying oneself as a writer, the nuances of Black girlhood, and the construction of Concentrate.

Until Next Time: 
Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Toni Cade Bombara: Toni Cade Bambara
Black women’s dialogue: For Our Girls: A Conversation with Black Women | The Conversation Remix
A24 Movies: Moonlight | Official Trailer HD | A24

Writing Prompt: What research is vital to the art you are making? Add journal entries to research documents you are collecting.

Courtney Faye Taylor vs. Black Girlhood

Today Brittany and Ajanae interview Willie Lee Kinard III, author of Orders of Service. During this episode, they discuss Willie’s history with music, doublespeak as maximalism, queerness as a foundation for craft choices, and developing a love for the land. 

Until Next Time:
Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Lynn Harris: E. Lynn Harris's Biography
Mariah Carey: It’s Mariah Carey Season, Darling
Kirk Franklin: How Kirk Franklin Revolutionized Gospel And Made Hip-Hop A More Spiritual Place | The FADER
Andre 3000: Andre 3000 Says He NEEDS To Create In Rare Interview

Writing Prompt: Make a playlist of music that scores your poems. Listen to it while revising a poem.

Willie Lee Kinard III vs. The Choir

For this episode, Brittany and Ajanae interview Samiya Bashir. During this conversation, they discuss Samiya’s role as Executive Director of Lambda Literary, Black opera, opening the door for queer writers, and writing the poem that unlocks the project.

Until Next Time: 
Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!
Torkwase Dyson: Desert X | Torkwase Dyson
David Bowie: david bowie interview 1973
June Jordan : June Jordan -- “Poem about My Rights”
Cornelius Eady: Poet Cornelius Eady on exploring the everyday lives of Black people in America

Writing Prompt: Write a poem only in dialogue. Title it with the name of a theory or theoretical framework.

Kemi Alabi vs Divinity

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