Hard to believe that it’s been ten years since Kim Bridgford successfully organized and ran the first Poetry by the Sea Conference, in Madison, Conn. Much has changed—new faces, new poetry—but the essentials are the same, including Kim’s vision of a conference that fostered “interconnectedness, enrichment, acceptance, and inspiration.” To mark the year, we’ve co-sponsored (with Wild … Read More
Slowing Time by Erica Reid My husband is a podcast guy. He says that scientists believe now climate change is starting to affect the length of days:for the first time in a geologic age Earth’s molten core is slackening its spin,our day-long cycles longer by a breath. It’s slowing time, he says — then, earbuds in, returns to stories of our … Read More
Night by Rick Mullin Every angel is terrifying ~Rainer Maria Rilke When I opened for Los Dildos at the Y,I knew I’d get my ass kicked. They had hornsand huge cojones. And a different guyon drums. Their singer wore a crown of thorns(a little heavy on the metaphor)and introduced himself as Caliban.“This isn’t going to … Read More
It is with great excitement that we announce the winning poems in the 2025 Kim Bridgford Memorial Sonnet Contest: Individual Sonnet winner “Slowing Time” by Erica Reid, and Sonnet Crown winner “Night” by Rick Mullin. They each will be awarded a prize of $500 and are invited to read the pieces in May at Poetry … Read More
For the 2025 Conference (May 27-30), we are pleased to announce that Poetry by the Sea is sponsoring a special Jane Caruso Memorial Scholarship. Thanks to a donor’s generosity, we are able to offer a full scholarship to a poet-educator who would like to deepen their commitment to poetic craft. The scholarship recipient is entitled to full conference registration, including … Read More
The Knife, The Throat by Dawn Manning I’ve had a knife at my throat and didn’t die, though when I swallow it tastes like pennies.This scar’s my pearl choker—chic as a fly. My head’s bound on tight—just give it a pry;and put down the green ribbon, dear Jenny.I’ve had a knife at my throat and didn’t … Read More
by Dustin Brookshire As I reflected on why community is important to me, I was transported back to childhood and adolescence. Growing up Southern Baptist in a small, north Georgia town as a closeted member of the LGBTQIA+ community was not a welcoming experience. I had to present a facade to survive and blend in. … Read More
As we enter the countdown to Poetry by the Sea Conference 2024, we wanted to share the magnificent Keynote Reading from Marilyn Chin at the 2023 Conference, reading from her latest book, Sage. This is part of our commitment to make poetry available to a wider audience. You can access the reading here.
IWe are delighted to announce the results of the Poetry by the Sea Book Award: At the Lepidopterist’s House by Chelsea Woodard, selected by judge Jane Satterfield. Chelsea will be awarded a prize of $500 and is invited to read from At the Lepidopterist’s House in May at Poetry by the Sea 2024. As we … Read More
The Conference is fortunate this year to have two much admired and celebrated poets as Spotlight Readers—Teri Ellen Cross Davis and January Gill O’Neil. Check out their bios here. The poets will read for us from their work. Here’s a glimpse into what they had to say about poetry and their process in recent interviews. TERI … Read More
