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 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 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 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 Divided States of OZ by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Divided States of OZ

By Jimmie Ware

“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.

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 Face Book by Jimmie Ware.

2026

Face Book

By Jimmie Ware

“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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.