"If rhythm is the heart and breath of poetry, then surely figurative language is its beguiling and sexy skin and musculature," declares D.A. Powell in his illuminating and expansive essay, "The Great Figure." Read the essay, accompanied by poetry from Claudia Rankine, A.E. Housman, Robert Duncan, and William Carlos Williams.
Thanks for being a part of the Academy of American Poets community. To learn about other programs, including National Poetry Month, Poem In Your Pocket Day, the annual Poets Forum, and more, visit Poets.org. Marie Ponsot photograph by Brian Palmer.