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Poetry Spotlight

A scanned piece of aged, yellowed paper displays a short poem handwritten in elegant 19th‑century cursive. The ink is dark and slightly uneven, with slanted, looping script. The poem begins “A poor – torn heart – a tattered heart –...” A small printed label at the bottom identifies it as a manuscript from Houghton Library titled “A poor – torn heart – a tattered heart, J78, Fr125.”

August 31, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Heart” by BrainTurbulent6998

Unencumbered Press BrainTurbulent6998, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, Dickinson‑inspired poetry, Emily Dickinson, emotional poetry, longing, modern poetry, Reddit poets

HEART — A Dickinson‑Inspired Poem of Hurt, Power, and Release

Handwritten 19th‑century manuscript page in brown ink on cream paper, showing neat slanted cursive lines that read “The Red Blaze is the Morning — / The Violet — is Noon — / The Yellow Day — is falling —,” attributed to the Amherst Manuscript collection and connected to the poem “They called me to the window.”

August 24, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Blaze” by BrainTurbulent6998

Unencumbered Press BrainTurbulent6998, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight blaze poem, contemporary poetry, Emily Dickenson, halls metaphor poem, modern poetry

A desperate poem wrestling with hurt, longing, power, and the need to break free—inspired by Emily Dickenson.

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August 17, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Mischief Mural on 6th Street” By Eric Lawson

Eric Lawson Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, political poetry, resistance art

August 10, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “You Wanna a Date?” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, free verse, jazz imagery, justice, longing, political poetry, Portland, portland poets, social commentary, street poetry, urban life, urban night, vulnerability

A late‑night encounter in Portland turns into a free‑form jazz solo about justice, longing, and the dates we’re all still waiting for.

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August 3, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Magaju” By Eric Lawson

Eric Lawson Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, desert imagery, Kent Ohio writers, poetry, Pushcart Prize nominee, small press poetry

This week’s Poetry Spotlight features “Magaju” by Pushcart‑nominated author Eric Lawson. The last line punches. 🌍🌧️

June 4, 2026

Poetry Spotlight | “Peace” by Derek Thiem

Unencumbered Press Derek Thiem, Poetry, Poetry Spotlight contemporary poetry, music and poems, portland poets, Prince, war, When Doves Cry

Poet Derek Thiem braids fragments of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” into a meditation on how peace movements have transformed from the idealism of the 1960s to the fractured conflicts of today.