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 INTRUSION IN SUISUN by Michael C. Ford.

2026

INTRUSION IN SUISUN

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

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 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 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 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 Life Boat by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

Life Boat

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“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.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by A POEM THAT ASKS THE MUSICAL QUESTION: IS JACK KEROUAC REALLY DEAD IN AMERICA? by Michael C. Ford.

2026

A POEM THAT ASKS THE MUSICAL QUESTION: IS JACK KEROUAC REALLY DEAD IN AMERICA?

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by THERE WAS A FUNERAL IN SAN PEDRO by Michael C. Ford.

2026

THERE WAS A FUNERAL IN SAN PEDRO

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

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 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.