Joanne the Poet - The Poetry of Joanne M. Clarkson

Moments That Have to Be Poems

How do poems come to us? The theme, the details, the words, the images, the channel into enlightenment? How do we become our art? When I consider my life, I…Read More »

What I Learned from Writing Sonnets

It’s hard. Not just a little difficult, but seriously challenging to craft a good poem in a specific, time-tested, venerated form. One that doesn’t sound forced or stilted. One that…Read More »

Gwendolyn

Most poets can point to one famous, accomplished poet who truly taught them the art of poetry. Mine didn’t come through a degree program or workshop, but through children, specifically…Read More »

Automatic Writing

Automatic Writing, the Ultimate Free-Write Sometimes my poems try too hard. I sit at my desk with an idea in mind about form or content or some message or question…Read More »