In this interview conducted at City of Asylum Pittsburgh, poet Angela Jackson discusses the importance of being a curious cultural historian, the writing of Where I Must Go, and the way that Jackson reaches the universal through the hyper-specific.
Read more...
In this interview, Israel Centeno sits down with Sampsonia Way to talk about his new book Bamboo City (a hybrid text that moves smoothly between poetry and fiction), the translation process, and upcoming publications.
Read more...
Former poet laureate of South Africa Keorapetse Kgositsile and K. Mensah Wali, artistic director of Kente Arts Alliance discuss South Africa’s progress since the end of apartheid, the effects of exile on family, and the relationship between poetry and jazz.
Read more...
Pittsburgh-based poet Bonita Lee Penn discusses of her poetry, describes her inspirations, explains her vision of Pittsburgh’s writing community, and provides some advice for young writers.
Read more...
Sampsonia Way is delighted to share three poems by Penn: “Absurdity or if I hear one more racist thing about the President of the United States,” “Rivers Run Red” and “Orangeburg SC – February 8, 1968.”
Read more...
Sampsonia Way is delighted to share two poems by Bonita Lee Penn: “Utterances of an Essential Narrative” and “America the Beautiful.” She is author of two books of poetry: The B Side (2011) and The Visiting Room (2007).
Read more...
Sampsonia Way is thrilled to share Lucas Hirsch’s previously unpublished poem “No. 22” from his upcoming book Dolhuis: Natura Naturata (Madhouse: Natura Naturata) to be published by De Arbeiderspers. Translation by Willem Groenewegen.
Read more...
Today we share Carmen Tafolla’s poem “Ocupando Mi Voz” (Using My Voice), a poem that celebrates the “power of words.” The first Poet Laureate of the City of San Antonio, Dr. Tafolla is currently writing a biography on civil rights organizer Emma Tenyuca..
Read more...
Hélène Gelèns shared with Sampsonia Way a previously unpublished poem in English: “What Frays and Blossoms” from the book zet af en zweef (Take off and Float). The original poem in Dutch is also included.
Read more...
Poet Toi Derricotte shares two previously unpublished poems with our readers: “Stinkbugs” and “A Memory.” Derricotte is the author of five books of poetry and is co-founder of Cave Canem.
Read more...