Poem archive

Poems

Read poems by Arizona and Southwestern writers, plus classic work preserved in the AZPoetry literary archive.

Search by poem title, poet, or a phrase you remember. Each archive page is designed to lead readers toward more poets and related work.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by WITH WILL THERE WAS ALWAYS A WAY by Michael C. Ford.

2026

WITH WILL THERE WAS ALWAYS A WAY

By Michael C. Ford

“WITH WILL THERE WAS ALWAYS A WAY” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, love and relationships. Its imagery is anchored in California. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by GREYHOUND by Michael C. Ford.

2026

GREYHOUND

By Michael C. Ford

“GREYHOUND” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, social justice. Its imagery is anchored in California, Glendale, California. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by I'm Going Through by Jimmie Ware.

2026

I'm Going Through

By Jimmie Ware

“I'm Going Through” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, family, identity. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by 50 Deep Breaths by Jimmie Ware.

2026

50 Deep Breaths

By Jimmie Ware

“50 Deep Breaths” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on memory, love and relationships, family. Its imagery is anchored in Arctic Ocean. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Time by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Time

By Jimmie Ware

“Time” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, family, nature. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Uptown World by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Uptown World

By Jimmie Ware

“Uptown World” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, family. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Untitled (“Some days I need to be baptized by the beat”) by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Untitled (“Some days I need to be baptized by the beat”)

By Jimmie Ware

“Untitled (“Some days I need to be baptized by the beat”)” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, music, identity. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Reigning Men by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Reigning Men

By Jimmie Ware

“Reigning Men” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, social justice. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by In this Surreal Moment by Jimmie Ware.

2026

In this Surreal Moment

By Jimmie Ware

“In this Surreal Moment” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, family, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by UPTOWN by Jimmie Ware.

2026

UPTOWN

By Jimmie Ware

“UPTOWN” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, love and relationships. Its imagery is anchored in Chicago, Uptown Chicago. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Poems 4 Prince by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Poems 4 Prince

By Jimmie Ware

“Poems 4 Prince” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on memory, love and relationships, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Prince Matters by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Prince Matters

By Jimmie Ware

“Prince Matters” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, music, travel and movement. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by IJS by Jimmie Ware.

2026

IJS

By Jimmie Ware

“IJS” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, love and relationships. Its imagery is anchored in Alaska, Lake Michigan. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Prophets in Paradise by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Prophets in Paradise

By Jimmie Ware

“Prophets in Paradise” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on memory, love and relationships, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Kitchen Conversations by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Kitchen Conversations

By Jimmie Ware

“Kitchen Conversations” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on memory, love and relationships, family. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by I'm Down by Jimmie Ware.

2026

I'm Down

By Jimmie Ware

“I'm Down” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, family, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Wonder of Woman by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Wonder of Woman

By Jimmie Ware

“Wonder of Woman” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, family, identity. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Gratitude, For My Griots by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Gratitude, For My Griots

By Jimmie Ware

“Gratitude, For My Griots” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on love and relationships, social justice, aging. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by How the Lightning Sings by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

How the Lightning Sings

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“How the Lightning Sings” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on arizona, place and geography, memory. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

2026

Epiphany

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“Epiphany” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on love and relationships, family, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by jigsaw by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

jigsaw

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“jigsaw” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on love and relationships. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Alzheimer’s Poetry Project by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

Alzheimer’s Poetry Project

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“Alzheimer’s Poetry Project” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on memory, love and relationships, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by The Things That Break While Moving by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

The Things That Break While Moving

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“The Things That Break While Moving” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on arizona, place and geography, love and relationships. Its imagery is anchored in Phoenix. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Astronaut by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

Astronaut

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“Astronaut” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on memory, love and relationships, family. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Punctuated Lips by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

Punctuated Lips

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“Punctuated Lips” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on love and relationships, mortality and loss, aging. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by When You Said I Wasn’t Perfect, You Were Right. by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

When You Said I Wasn’t Perfect, You Were Right.

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“When You Said I Wasn’t Perfect, You Were Right.” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on love and relationships, family, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Lefty by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

Lefty

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“Lefty” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, family. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by Bananas by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

Bananas

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“Bananas” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on love and relationships, music, mortality and loss. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by ANOTHER SONG by Michael C. Ford.

2026

ANOTHER SONG

By Michael C. Ford

“ANOTHER SONG” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by A FEW BARS ON A BAR-ROOM PIANO by Michael C. Ford.

2026

A FEW BARS ON A BAR-ROOM PIANO

By Michael C. Ford

“A FEW BARS ON A BAR-ROOM PIANO” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, family. Its imagery is anchored in Los Angeles, California. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by THE ROCKIES ARE NOT THE ONLY THINGS THAT END IN EL PASO by Michael C. Ford.

2026

THE ROCKIES ARE NOT THE ONLY THINGS THAT END IN EL PASO

By Michael C. Ford

“THE ROCKIES ARE NOT THE ONLY THINGS THAT END IN EL PASO” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, love and relationships. Its imagery is anchored in El Paso, Mexico. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by YESTERDAY I SAW PENELOPE B by Michael C. Ford.

2026

YESTERDAY I SAW PENELOPE B

By Michael C. Ford

“YESTERDAY I SAW PENELOPE B” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, mortality and loss. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by AMNESIA IN MEMORY MANOR by Michael C. Ford.

2026

AMNESIA IN MEMORY MANOR

By Michael C. Ford

“AMNESIA IN MEMORY MANOR” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, love and relationships. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by SUNRISE HIGHWAY by Michael C. Ford.

2026

SUNRISE HIGHWAY

By Michael C. Ford

“SUNRISE HIGHWAY” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, love and relationships, nature. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by BLUES BOUTS-RIMES TO BILLIE HOLIDAY by Michael C. Ford.

2026

BLUES BOUTS-RIMES TO BILLIE HOLIDAY

By Michael C. Ford

“BLUES BOUTS-RIMES TO BILLIE HOLIDAY” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on love and relationships, music, mortality and loss. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.