Aaron and James talk about Poetry Firsts -- first workshops, first journal publications, first poems by which we were awestruck. Writers discussed include:John AshberyLucille CliftonSamuel Taylor ColeridgeLouise GlückBarbara HambyIrene McKinney Paul MonetteMaureen SeatonGerald SternAlice Walker Journals we discuss include:Bellingham ReviewPloughsharesThe James White ReviewYou can read Aaron Smith's poem "Fat Ass" here. According to the foundation named after her, "Helen Steiner Rice . . . is often referred to as the 'poet laureate of inspirational verse.'"Please consider supporting the authors mentioned during today's episode of Breaking Form--and please think about buying from independent bookstores. If you need a good one, we recommend Loyalty Books, a black-owned bookstore in Washington, DC that ships everywhere.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.