The Poetry Vessel Podcast

#053 - How to Write Poetry Ridiculously Well ft. Tim Seibles

The Poetry Vessel Podcast

Show Notes

Listen to expert poetry advice from former Poet Laureate of Virginia, winner of the Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize, and 2012 National Book Award nominee, Tim Seibles.

On this episode of The Poetry Vessel, host, Malibu Poet Laureate Emeritus, Nathan Hassall, sits down with former Virginia Poet Laureate, Tim Seibles, to explore what truly makes a poem resonate.

Tim shares essential advice for emerging poets and creative writers on establishing a regular writing practice, reading contemporary voices, and letting go of academic intimidation like analyzing iambic pentameter. Together, they discuss capturing complex themes of consciousness, race, politics, masculinity, and sacred eroticism in poetry, resisting societal narrowness, and restoring our emotional availability through language. Learn how jazz, blues, and spoken-word traditions influence poetry from a true expert in poetry.

Tune in to hear Tim read five of his original poems—"Born," "Not Spoken," "Naive," "Dancing Villanelle," and his viral poem, "First Kiss."

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📚 MORE ABOUT TIM SEIBLES: - Buy Tim's Books (Publisher Links): https://www.timseibles.com/books - Listen to Tim's Album with Chris Brydge: https://tinyurl.com/Something-Like-We-Did - Watch The Motion with Tim Seibles and Chris Brydge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dndT1Hfk42w

📚 Poetry Books by Tim Seibles (Amazon Affiliate Links): - Voodoo Libretto: New & Selected Poems - https://amzn.to/4fWOvXl - With No Hat - https://amzn.to/4g8ndMG - Fast Animal - https://amzn.to/3TTrjRq

EVERYTHING ELSE: 👉 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathanhassall ✍️ JOIN OUR POETRY WORKSHOP WAITLIST https://www.nathanhassall.com/workshopwaitlist 🙏 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ThePoetryVessel

📌 CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introducing Tim Seibles 01:45 - How to Write Poetry as a Beginner 07:58 - Poetry Reading: "Born" by Tim Seibles 10:35 - The Importance of Listening, Sound, and Music in Poetry 15:28 - How to Write a Sensual Love Poem 21:28 - Poetry Reading: "Not Spoken" by Tim Seibles 24:08 - The Power of What You Don't Say: Restraint & Imagery 28:16 - Why Poets Should Tackle Race, Taboos, and Complex History 38:16 - Why Most People Fear Poetry (And How It Is Mis-Taught) 58:12 - Poetry Reading: "Naive" by Tim Seibles 1:02:03 - Recovering Tenderness, Youth, and Un-eroding the Heart 1:08:45 – Rhythm, Cadence, and Musicality 1:26:49 - Poetry Reading: "First Kiss" by Tim Seibles 1:35:45 - Poetry Reading: "Dancing Villanelle" by Tim Seibles 1:37:39 - How to Write a Villanelle 1:44:00 - Tim Seible's Take on Nathan Hassall's Poetry

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