2026
THIS TRAIN
“THIS TRAIN” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on music, aging, nature. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
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.
2026
FAILURE TO LEAVE PHOENIX IN ORDER TO SAVE MY LIFE IN THE SUMMER OF 1968
“FAILURE TO LEAVE PHOENIX IN ORDER TO SAVE MY LIFE IN THE SUMMER OF 1968” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on arizona, place and geography, memory. Its imagery is anchored in Arizona, Tucson. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
WITH WILL THERE WAS ALWAYS A WAY
“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.
2026
INTRUSION IN SUISUN
“INTRUSION IN SUISUN” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, mortality and loss, social justice. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
GROUNDING OUT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
“GROUNDING OUT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, family. Its imagery is anchored in Pasadena, California. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
GREYHOUND
“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.
2026
I'm Going Through
“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.
2026
50 Deep Breaths
“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.
2026
Time
“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.
2026
Uptown World
“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.
2026
Gentle Reminders
“Gentle Reminders” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on arizona, family, identity. 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.
2026
Yesterday Emotions
“Yesterday Emotions” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, nature. Its imagery is anchored in Chicago. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
Untitled (“Some days I need to be baptized by the beat”)
“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.
2026
Divided States of OZ
“Divided States of OZ” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on social justice, nature, 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.
2026
Reigning Men
“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.
2026
In this Surreal Moment
“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.
2026
UPTOWN
“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.
2026
Poems 4 Prince
“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.
2026
Prince Matters
“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.
2026
IJS
“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.
2026
Face Book
“Face Book” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on social justice, 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.
2026
Prophets in Paradise
“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.
2026
Blue Dream
“Blue Dream” by Jimmie Ware is a poem centered on memory, music, aging. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
Kitchen Conversations
“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.
2026
I'm Down
“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.
2026
Wonder of Woman
“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.
2026
Gratitude, For My Griots
“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.
2026
How the Lightning Sings
“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
“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.
2026
jigsaw
“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.
2026
Alzheimer’s Poetry Project
“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.
2026
Chameleon
“Chameleon” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on identity, aging, nature. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
The Things That Break While Moving
“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.
2026
Astronaut
“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.
2026
Bad Habit
“Bad Habit” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on contemporary life, human experience. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
Punctuated Lips
“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.
2026
Damaged Merchandise
“Damaged Merchandise” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, music. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
Charlie Brown
“Charlie Brown” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on arizona, music, identity. 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.
2026
When You Said I Wasn’t Perfect, You Were Right.
“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.
2026
Lefty
“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.
2026
Bananas
“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.
2026
Burn
“Burn” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on family, identity, aging. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
Life Boat
“Life Boat” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson is a poem centered on family, mortality and loss, social justice. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
A POEM THAT ASKS THE MUSICAL QUESTION: IS JACK KEROUAC REALLY DEAD IN AMERICA?
“A POEM THAT ASKS THE MUSICAL QUESTION: IS JACK KEROUAC REALLY DEAD IN AMERICA?” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, family, mortality and loss. 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.
2026
BEAT
“BEAT” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, music, aging. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
ANOTHER SONG
“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.
2026
THERE WAS A FUNERAL IN SAN PEDRO
“THERE WAS A FUNERAL IN SAN PEDRO” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, mortality and loss. Its imagery is anchored in San Pedro. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
A FEW BARS ON A BAR-ROOM PIANO
“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.
2026
I MET HANK IN 1968
“I MET HANK IN 1968” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, family. Its imagery is anchored in Chicago, Los Angeles. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
A POEM THAT REFUSES TO BE CALLED DUSK
“A POEM THAT REFUSES TO BE CALLED DUSK” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, identity, nature. Its imagery is anchored in San Diego, California. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER
“CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, identity, aging. Its imagery is anchored in Santa Fe, Nevada. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
THE ROCKIES ARE NOT THE ONLY THINGS THAT END IN EL PASO
“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.
2026
YESTERDAY I SAW PENELOPE B
“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.
2026
IT’S ONLY A DREAM…………………RIGHT?
“IT’S ONLY A DREAM…………………RIGHT?” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on nature, travel and movement. Its imagery is anchored in Los Angeles. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
AMNESIA IN MEMORY MANOR
“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.
2026
INNER BLUES ON THE OUTER DRIVE
“INNER BLUES ON THE OUTER DRIVE” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, memory, family. Its imagery is anchored in Chicago, California. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
SUNRISE HIGHWAY
“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.
2026
POEM WRITTEN WHILE CONSIDERING POSSIBILITY OF SNOW SHOWERS IN SPANISH FORK CANYON
“POEM WRITTEN WHILE CONSIDERING POSSIBILITY OF SNOW SHOWERS IN SPANISH FORK CANYON” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on aging. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
BLACK LIGHT
“BLACK LIGHT” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, music, social justice. Its imagery is anchored in San Francisco. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
DOWN FOR JUNK
“DOWN FOR JUNK” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, aging. 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.
2026
BLUES BOUTS-RIMES TO BILLIE HOLIDAY
“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.
2026
OHIO FEVER
“OHIO FEVER” by Michael C. Ford is a poem centered on place and geography, aging. The poem develops its subject through recurring images and shifts in emotional pressure rather than reducing the experience to a single statement.
2026
Running in a Red State by Cymelle Leah Edwards
"Running in a Red State" by Cymelle Leah Edwards Don’t be political. Sinclair Wash Trail: Anger is that which your body recognizes as alien; that which has been whittled nonexiste…
2025
'Hooked Claus' by The Klute
For the longest time,no one remembered how we were partners,the Good Cop and Bad Cop of Yuletide,a symphony of jingle bells and rattling chains‘ere we drove out of sight.How distu…
2025
Green & Red by Ashley Naftule
"Green & Red" by Ashley Naftule When I was six,my favorite part about eating watermelonwas harvesting the black seeds. My parents would cut off the green skinso I could slip my to…
2025
14 Lines From Love Letters Or Suicide Notes by Doc Luben
"14 Lines From Love Letters Or Suicide Notes" by Doc Luben IDon't freak outIIWe both know this has been coming for a long time.III I've been staying awake at night, wondering if I…
2025
Land Alive by David Chorlton
"Land Alive" by David Chorlton The land isn’t empty, it’s thinking.What will it become whenthe clouds disappear and rocks take their place?Where will the roads lead when they reac…
2025
Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare
"Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?Thou art more lovely and more temperate:Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,And summer’s lease h…
2025
The Tiger by William Blake
"The Tiger" by William Blake Tiger Tiger, burning bright,In the forests of the night;What immortal hand or eye,Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies.Bur…
2025
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo…
2025
On His Blindness by John Milton
"On His Blindness" or also known as "When I Consider How My Light Is Spent" John Milton, published in 1673 When I consider how my light is spentEre half my days in this dark world…
2025
The Mesa Wind Blows Soft by Colorado Pete
"The Mesa Wind Blows Soft" by Colorado Pete The Mesa wind blows soft tonight,The western stars bend low,Self-shadowed in the firelightOld dreams, old visions go. The mesa wind's a…
2025
Dissolve by Sherwin Bitsui
"Dissolve" by Sherwin Bitsui This mountain stands near us: mountaining.It mistakes morning with mourning,when we wear slippers of steamto erase our carbon footprint. Wind's finger…
2025
Ritchie Valens by Myrlin Hepworth
"Ritchie Valens" by Myrlin Hepworth you were the child of R&B and jump Bluesflamingo guitar and Mariachi Richard Valenzuela they called you Ritchie saidValenzuela was too much for…
2025
Free Admission by Cylie Naylor
"Free Admission" by Cylie Naylor the welcome sign to the gallery of myheart reads free admission open everyday of the year and everything here hassome history and there's plenty t…
2025
Bob Dylan's Love and Theft by Dom Flemons
"Bob Dylan's 'Love and Theft' by Dom Flemons well you've heard a lot of stories I'm going to tell you one love and theft it was the 10th of September 2001 and I went to bed knowin…
2025
"History of the Cosmos" by Lauren Deja
When you turned your head, my heart tapped my head.It said.RUN.I don't know where this one is from.He's gonna render you dumb.Your lungs will become numb.Paralyzed in his eyes.His…
2025
"tombstones make macabre lawn ornaments, coffins are the worst kind of patio furniture" by Bill Campana
"tombstones make macabre lawn ornaments, coffins are the worst kind of patio furniture" i saw my parents’ grave markertwice...at saint ann’s on oak street. once at my mother’s fun…
2025
"Love, Bacall" by Lauren Perry
Love Bacall by Lauren Perry It had to be you that threw me the matches Bogie, Each musky growl of my voice,You couldn’t resist answering my question with a flick of your wrist and…
2024
"Goldfish" by Beth May
grandma and I are caught in Loops hiit's B I'm good how are you I live inLos Angeles and I love it traffic's badbut it gives me time to think my nameit's Beth I live in LA and it'…
2024
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,While I nodded, nearly napping…
2024
"The Giant Cactus of Arizona" by Harriet Monroe
The cactus in the desert stands Like time’s inviolate sentinel, Watching the sun-washed waste of sands Lest they their ancient secrets tell. And the lost lore of mournful lands It…