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VS

The VS podcast is a bi-weekly series where poets confront the ideas that move them. Hosted by poets Ajanaé Dawkins and Brittany Rogers, produced by Cin Pim/Ombie Productions, and presented by the Poetry Foundation.

Latest Episodes:

VS Live at Furious Flower ft. Mahogany L. Browne and Yona Harvey vs. Sisterhood Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

For this episode, Brittany and Ajanae had the privilege of talking with Yona Harvey and Mahogany Browne LIVE at Furious Flower 2024! Join them as they discuss the importance of community spaces, what they’ve learned from sistering and being sistered, finding affirmation in each other’s poetry, the process of shifting genres, navigating the tension between public personas and interior lives, and the misperception of being mean.

Until Next Time:

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Mahogany
Fannie Lou Hamer: Fannie Lou Hamer's Powerful Testimony | Freedom Summer
Sonia Sanchez: A Word with Sister Sonia Sanchez | Wildest Dreams
June Jordan: I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies by June Jordan - Poems | Academy of American Poets

Yona
Sister: sisters | The Poetry Foundation
Mary Lou Williams: Introducing...Mary Lou Williams
Sonia Sanchez: Sonia Sanchez - Poem for Some Women - live @ Def Poetry

Writing Prompt:

Write a poem in response to a poem that affirms you.

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Alexa Patrick vs. Prom Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

On today’s episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae speak with Alexa Patrick about all things nostalgic. Join them as they discuss playfulness as a craft tool, memory as a poetic foundation, the harms of being the only, prom season, desire, and having a crush on everything!

Until Next Time:

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Morgan Parker: Award-winning poet Morgan Parker talks motivation behind new essay book
Toi Derricotte: Toi Derricotte: Creativity in Isolation, part 1 of 3
Hilary Duff: Metamorphosis

Writing Prompt:

Write an ode to your favorite coming of age ritual.

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Ayokunle Falomo vs. Multiple Selves Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

During today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae talk with Ayokunle Falomo, author of the poetry collection Autobiomythography Of. Join them as they discuss the intertwining of mythology, time, and history, as well as the responsibilities of parenthood, keeping secrets, and navigating the multiplicity of the self.

Until Next Time:

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Lucille Clifton - Lucille Clifton, The Killing of the Trees
James Baldwin- Where To Start With James Baldwin | The New York Public Library
Aṣa - Aṣa - Good Thing (Official Video)
Ai Ogawa - Ai | The Poetry Foundation

Writing Prompt:

Write a contrapuntal with two different origin stories for yourself or someone else.

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Sarah Ghazal Ali vs. Faith Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

During today’s interview, Brittany and Ajanae sit down with Sarah Ghazal Ali. Listen in as they discuss writing as a spiritual practice, honoring matrilineage, the importance of disbelief, the failed project of purity, and the generative force of fixed forms.

Note: this episode was originally recorded in fall of 2024.

Until Next Time:

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Writing Prompt:

Write a litany of doubts or disbeliefs.

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Tank and Jamila vs. Poetic Roots Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

In today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae have the pleasure of talking to poets and artists Tank (from Tank and the Bangas) and Jamila Woods. Tank and Jamila take time before their tour to talk with our VS hosts about their entryways into poetry, how place influences their sound, the questions they hold in their minds while creating, and of course, how poetry intersects with the rest of their creative practice.

Until Next Time:

Here’s a writing prompt to accompany your experience of the episode to tide you over until we meet again!

Writing prompt:

Revisit one of the earliest poems of yours that you can find. Write a poem in response to it.

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Daad Sharfi vs. The Law Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

During this episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae are joined by poet and advocate Daad Sharfi. In this episode, they discuss the reconstruction of memory, boundary setting, real and imagined borders, and the absurdity of the legal system.

Until Next Time:

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Family whatsapp: Types of People on Family WhatsApp Groups | MostlySane
June Jordan: June Jordan -- "Poem about My Rights"
The work of her friends: You Can't Create Alone: On Fostering Literary Community - The Millions
To All My Friends by May Yang - Poems | Academy of American Poets

Writing prompt:

For this poem, choose a memory. Assign it a color. How does this color tint or shift the memory? Make it more or less true?

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Farah Chamma vs. Language Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

During this episode of VS, poet and multidisciplinary artist Farah Chamma joins Brittany and Ajanae. Listen in as they discuss the importance of trusting your intuition, the nuances of language, suffering and passion, as well as the necessity of defining oneself as an artist and a person.

Until Next Time:

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Hussein Barghouthi: POETRY IN DIALOGUE THE POET HUSSEIN BARGHOUTHI part 1
Hanane Hajj Ali: AMERICAN THEATRE | Hanane Hajj Ali, ‘Jogging’ for Survival in Beirut
El Rass: My Battle
Berimbau: The Berimbau: Musical Instrument Or Icon Of Resistance Against Oppression?

Writing prompt:

Write a contrapuntal evaluating a habit or activity in your life by the ways it contributes to and relieves suffering.

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Bettina Judd vs. Theory Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

On today’s episode, Brittany and Ajanae spend time in conversation with Bettina Judd, who is an amazing poet, scholar, and Professor of African American Studies at Emory University. Join them as they discuss the validity of symbols, living out the tarot, how interior concerns shape research and experimentation, and the importance of Black, queer women seeing themselves reflected in theoretical practices.

Until Next Time

Here are some pieces of media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

Lucille Clifton: Lucille Clifton: A Poet's Life and Legacy
Beverly Guy-Sheftall: Words of Fire: An Anthology of African-American Feminist Thought
Clark Sisters: Karen Clark Sheard - Finally Karen Live (Full DVD)

Writing Prompt:

Write a research question for a part of speech. Conduct your experiment for this question through a series of poems.

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Phillip B. Williams vs. Ours Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

During this episode of VS, Brittany and Ajanae interview poet and novelist Phillip B. Williams. Join them as they talk about the process of writing an epic novel, embracing character’s autonomy, Morrisonian poems, and the responsibility of freedom.

Until Next Time:

Writing Prompt:

Who is your favorite writer? Write 3 rules that seem to guide their writing. Write a poem following those rules.

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Jubi Arriola-Headley VS. Masculinity Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

For this episode, Ajanae and Brittany interview poet Jubi Arriola-Headley; join them as they discuss the role of humor and play in their poetics, the straightforwardness of erotic writing and kink, and navigating their tensions with masculinity.