In my college days I began a practice of “YouTubing” poetry. It was what I listened to as I wrote essays and met deadlines. Over the years, I have come to the realization that I am a sound-based poet. Immersion in the oral tradition of sharing poetry is a kind of research for me, a way learning that guides my creative desires. In the past decade the treasure trove of poetry available for free on YouTube has expanded and developed, helping to free poetry from the yoke of academia and open the door to all those who are interested in craft. So what are these spaces to learn and practice? Which interviews and performances resonate? Don’t worry, I’ve made a list. And I believe once you dive in, you’ll find the waters of YouTube rich and ready to explore:

1.  Write by Night

This time of year winter—with its shadows and self-reflective characters—is a perfect moment to tune in to Suzanne Lummis’s “They Write By Night,” series hosted by Poetry.LA.  This is a quirky mash up of film noir and poetry review narrated by a femme fatale poet between sips of her hip-flask booze.  Suzanne Lummis gives off a genuine spirit of duende with her dry sense of humor, good taste in lipstick, and excellent choice of poetry.  This is a genre-bending offering I think you’ll love as much as I do and if you find yourself scribbling down new poem and story ideas while trying to keep up with this master mind, well, you wouldn’t be alone.  One of my favorite episodes goes in-depth on the topic of blood and the representation of blood which culminates in the reading of one of my favorite poets Arminé Iknadossian's reading "Red Poem.”

2. Poet TV

On Dimitri Reyes Poet YouTube channel you will learn that you are an “MVP: Most Valuable Poet,” and if you don’t quite feel like it yet he will demystify the world of modern poetry and how to participate in it.  Reyes uses his platform to share his works and to connect with readers, but it’s obvious that his underlying belief is the more poets participating and feeling empowered in their voice the better.  In addition to generative workshops, Reyes shares inexpensive ways to buy books, how to search for titles that may be difficult to find.  He also breaks down how to use submittable, the importance of publishing, and how to make it happen for yourself.  If you are looking for book recommendations or interviews with authors, that is all there as well.  I plugged into one of his most recent videos, “My Biggest Poetry Haul Under $40,” (because #lifegoals) and quickly learned new tools. Now, of course, I’m a loyal subscriber.

3.  Poetry, Painting, and Plants!

If you picked up a new passion during quarantine, you’ll be in good company with Nicelle Davis. Nicelle created a whole program based on combining her old favorite things with her new favorite thing, that is “Poetry, Painting, & Plants.”  On her channel, you can watch as Nicelle guides viewers into her world of newly acquired houseplants and her vast knowledge of poets, art, and the community therein.  She discusses plant-care through her own foibles and research and with this journey she creates a metaphor for ways and means of writing.  Nicelle is a process poet and a multi-modal performance artist. She explores the way artforms and spaces can layer into each other by interviewing creators in their spaces of creativity. Nicelle takes viewers into private studios, personal living spaces, backyards, and former gathering places.  This is especially enlightening as a So Cal poet and artist, as it gives a lay of the land and those careful souls that help to tend it.  Watch the latest episode here.