#056 - How to Write Poetry About Trauma ft. Isabelle Correa

How do you write a poem about trauma?

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In this episode of The Poetry Vessel Podcast, host (Malibu Poet Laureate Emeritus) Nathan Hassall, sits down with Isabelle Correa, Jack McCarthy prize-winning poet and author, to discuss the delicate balance of writing poetry about trauma, grief, and mental health without sacrificing literary quality.

Learn how to use surrealism, vivid imagery, and emotional truth—rather than strict legal facts—to craft powerful, resonant poems that connect with readers. Isabelle shares live readings of her work, including her viral poem "On My History of Kissing Everyone at Parties," and breaks down practical writing techniques on enjambment, line breaks, community feedback, and performance. Whether you are a seasoned poet looking to refine your craft or someone seeking accessible entry points into contemporary poetry, this conversation provides essential tips on transforming painful personal experiences into art.

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📚 BUY ISABELLE CORREA'S NEW BOOK: - Portrait of a Person Who Pushes Love Away in Fear of Losing it (@arcanapoetrypress) - https://amzn.to/4xEmpGJ - Good Girl and Other Yearnings ( @WriteBloodyPublishing ) https://amzn.to/4yqec9i - Isabelle's Website: https://www.isabellecorrea.com/ - Isabelle's Substack: https://substack.com/@isabellecorrea - Follow Isabelle on Instagram: @isabellecorreawrites

📌 CHAPTERS: 0:00 – How do you write poetry about trauma without sacrificing quality? 1:19 – When should you refrain from writing about personal trauma? 5:05 – How surrealism and wild imagery help process difficult emotions 6:43 – Poem Reading: "The Tower" by Isabel 13:04 – How to generate original imagery and avoid clichés 15:16 – Emotional truth vs. strict facts in autobiographical poetry 17:13 – How to give yourself permission to fictionalize real-life details 29:42 – Poem Reading: "On My History of Kissing Everyone at Parties" 30:34 – How to tackle shadow emotions and embrace shame in writing 33:56 – Why you should let a poem find its ending instead of forcing a revelation 39:48 – Poem Reading: "The Demon in My Bathroom Never Takes a Day Off" 42:43 – Why should you involve your reader community in the title selection process? 46:18 – Poem Reading: "In the Garden" 50:00 – How line breaks and intentional enjambment affect a poem's meaning 57:20 – How to structure a full-length poetry collection around complex themes 1:00:30 – How can accessible poetry help make the art form popular again?

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