Poetry from Daily Life - Missouri Press Association

Poetry from Daily Life: Missouri Poet Laureate David Harrison pens the last verse

Goodbye and thank you. This is the final issue of "Poetry from Daily Life." We published the first column on Nov. 5, 2023 and now, almost two years and 100 columns later, we have come to the end. My … more

By David L. Harrison | 9/30/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Say it with style and don't overstay your welcome

My guest this week on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Amos Bridges, who lives in Springfield, Missouri. Amos is the editor-in-chief for the Springfield News-Leader who gave this column the green light … more

By Amos Bridges | 9/21/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Writing poems may not fill the piggy bank but still offers riches

This week’s guest on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Bob Stephens, who lives in Springfield, Missouri. This is Bob’s second column in the series. His first appeared on Jan. 14, 2024. He is a … more

By Bob Stephens | 9/14/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Need motivation? Have a handy rhyme in mind

This week’s guest on Poetry from Daily Life is Charles Ghigna — Father Goose — who lives in Homewood, Alabama. Charles has been a writer for fifty years and loves to … more

By Charles Ghigna | 9/7/25

Poetry from Daily Life: When words hint at something out of reach

My guest this week on Poetry from Daily Life is Jo Van Arkel, who lives in Springfield, Missouri. Professor Van Arkel is a Teaching Fellow in Writing, Department of Languages and Literature, at Drury … more

By Jo Van Arkel | 8/31/25

Poetry from Daily Life: A sprinkle of humor, a dash of real life

This week’s guest on “Poetry from Daily Life” is Ellen Hopkins, who lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She has been a writer for more than 30 years and particularly likes to write … more

By Ellen Hopkins | 8/24/25

Poetry from Daily Life: 'Write what you know' is always a good place to start

Today’s guest on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Scot Young, who grew up in Raytown, Missouri before settling in Ozark County. He has been writing since his junior and high school days. Scot says … more

By Scot Young | 8/17/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Inspiration can strike anywhere — did you bring a pen?

Hi everyone. I’m David L. Harrison, host of "Poetry from Daily Life." Today marks the 94th column in the series. My term as Missouri Poet Laureate, and the conclusion of the column, come at the … more

By David L. Harrison | 8/10/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Just imagine — and don't be afraid to be preposterous

This week’s guest on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Nancy Bo Flood, who lives in the Navajo Nation in Colorado. A writer for 25 years, her favorite subjects include folktales, history, and the … more

By Nancy Bo Flood | 8/3/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Embracing — and praising — the ordinary

This week’s guest on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Marjorie Maddox, who lives in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of the Little League World Series. Marjorie published her first poem in Campfire … more

By Marjorie Maddox | 7/27/25

Poetry from Daily Life: When writing, which words will make the cut?

This week’s guest on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Kate Coombs, who lives in Bountiful, Utah. Kate began writing when she was 7 or 8 years old and was first published in 2006. She confides that … more

By Kate Coombs | 7/21/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Prepare to be surprised

My guest this week on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Heidi Mordhorst from Silver Spring, Maryland — a short bike ride from Washington, D.C. Heidi was a poet from early childhood (and now publishes … more

By Heidi Mordhorst | 7/13/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Let your guard down and carry a notebook

This week my guest on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Eric Ode, who lives with his lovely wife and his lazy cat in the little maritime community of Port Townsend, Washington. Eric says he enjoys a life … more

By Eric Ode | 7/6/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Do your part and provide a poem for a kid who needs one

My guest this week on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Alan Katz, who lives in Milford, Connecticut. Alan says, “I’ve been writing since Miss Gordon showed me the alphabet in kindergarten. But … more

By Alan Katz | 6/29/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Reminding myself that 'art begets art begets art'

My guest this week on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Mary Margaret Hughes, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Her introduction to poetry came early when her mother read Shel Silverstein books to her. … more

By Mary Margaret Hughes | 6/23/25

Poetry from Daily Life: How an old hair tie became a black hole

This week’s guest on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Matt Forrest Esenwine, who lives in Warner, New Hampshire. Matt is an award-winning children’s author and poet who began writing poems … more

By Matt Forrest Esenwine | 6/15/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Spam, Mingus, and the making of a poet

This week’s guest is Rex Ybañez, who lives in Springfield, Missouri. He first discovered writing when he was eight years old. Rex writes professionally, but his favorite genre is poetry. … more

By Rex Ybañez | 6/9/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Everything I Know About Life I Learned in a Poem

This week’s guest on Poetry from Daily Life is Irene Latham, who lives on a lake in rural Alabama. Irene has loved poetry since childhood when her father introduced her to poems by Shel … more

By Irene Latham | 6/2/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Does a blank sheet of paper give you 'page fright'? Try this

My guest this week on "Poetry from Daily Life" is Lesléa Newman, who lives in Massachusetts. Lesléa began writing 60 years ago. When asked about her favorite subject/theme/target … more

By Lesléa Newman | 5/25/25

Poetry from Daily Life: Poems can be snapshots 'to save and re-savor'

I’m David Harrison, Missouri’s 7th Poet Laureate. I live with my wife Sandy in Springfield where it is my pleasure to host "Poetry from Daily Life." Since starting the column in November … more

By David L. Harrison | 5/18/25