If a poem startles, or draws my attention, or makes me shake my head in admiration, often it’s because of an image. This blog makes space for discussions of poetic imagery using any of the five senses. The discussion will highlight a few lines where the poet pulls off a magic trick and uses imagery to surprise or delight. Readers will find the great canonical poets and contemporary poets as well as young poets at the beginnings of their careers. I have only two criteria for this blog: a poetic image that—for whatever reason—snagged my attention (or the attention of a guest blogger) and a response of no more than 350 words. Every month a new image and new ways of perceiving the familiar. Fabulous!

Janice N. Harrington’s latest books of poetry are Primitive: The Art and Life of Horace H. Pippin and, for children, Catching a Storyfish. She teaches at the University of Illinois. You can find more about her writing at janiceharrington.com.