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 FAILURE TO LEAVE PHOENIX IN ORDER TO SAVE MY LIFE IN THE SUMMER OF 1968 by Michael C. Ford.

2026

FAILURE TO LEAVE PHOENIX IN ORDER TO SAVE MY LIFE IN THE SUMMER OF 1968

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

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 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 GROUNDING OUT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA by Michael C. Ford.

2026

GROUNDING OUT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

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 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 Yesterday Emotions by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Yesterday Emotions

By Jimmie Ware

“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.

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 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 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 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.

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 Damaged Merchandise by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson.

2026

Damaged Merchandise

By Aaron Hopkins-Johnson

“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.

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 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 BEAT by Michael C. Ford.

2026

BEAT

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

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 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 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 I MET HANK IN 1968 by Michael C. Ford.

2026

I MET HANK IN 1968

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by A POEM THAT REFUSES TO BE CALLED DUSK by Michael C. Ford.

2026

A POEM THAT REFUSES TO BE CALLED DUSK

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER by Michael C. Ford.

2026

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

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 INNER BLUES ON THE OUTER DRIVE by Michael C. Ford.

2026

INNER BLUES ON THE OUTER DRIVE

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

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 BLACK LIGHT by Michael C. Ford.

2026

BLACK LIGHT

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by DOWN FOR JUNK by Michael C. Ford.

2026

DOWN FOR JUNK

By Michael C. Ford

“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.

Hyperrealistic fine-art painting inspired by OHIO FEVER by Michael C. Ford.

2026

OHIO FEVER

By Michael C. Ford

“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.