Poetry Off the Shelf

Helena and Nicholson Baker on drawing your loved ones, the horrors of the world, and finding your way back to beauty.

Tyler Mills on the truth, how to love a cockroach, and her grandfather's silence about the bomb.

Perry Janes on Hollywood, ego, and trying not to break his NDA.

A.B. Spellman on Jim Crow, alligator suede shoes, and shaking up the art of the castle.

Garth Greenwell on shame, small acts of love, and the patch of snow inside us.

Camille Dungy on her garden, writing from the provinces, and the poetry of Anne Spencer. 

Idra Novey on exile, stereotypes, and making art the center of your life.

Dorothea Lasky on The Shining, writing what you fear, and the ferocity of color.

Merlin Sheldrake on fungi, creativity, and the queerness of nature.

Elisa Gonzalez on bisexuality, humor, and working in finance.