The Poets

The Poets

The Poets is an online poetry feature. With roots in Denver’s vibrant poetry scene, this show looks to feature talented voices from the Queen City of the Plains, as well as around the world. Poetry read on the show is selected by the feature poet, and may contain references to challenging topics. All views expressed by feature poets are their own. Open minds are encouraged. Poet info will be included alongside each episode. Support local art and please, do not stop creating.

  1. 158. The Coven Collective Discusses "Pieces of a Beautiful Something"

    5D AGO

    158. The Coven Collective Discusses "Pieces of a Beautiful Something"

    The Poets will be back to our regularly scheduled programming (i.e. individual poet features) after this. The album discussed in the episode is available on Bandcamp and on streaming platforms. On another slightly different episode of The Poets, I'm joined by BG and the first iteration of the Coven Collective to discuss an album of spoken word and music that recently was released. BG, Lady Julianne, Nikolai Riddle, and Jabe Pazoo all appear on the mic to discuss their contributions to the album, along with a conversation about broader themes like changing landscapes of art, AI usage, and what the hell to do about billionaires and narcissists.

    1h 23m
  2. 157. Sidney Shaw: The Karma House Kava Bar Promo Episode

    APR 29

    157. Sidney Shaw: The Karma House Kava Bar Promo Episode

    Sidney Shaw is the Events Manager at The Karma House, a community-centered kava bar and gathering space in the Denver metro area. As an intuitive healer, Reiki Master, and tarot reader with over a decade of experience, Sidney weaves together event curation and spiritual practice to create spaces rooted in connection, healing, and authenticity. At The Karma House, Sidney helps bring people together through a diverse range of offerings—from live music and poetry to wellness events and community gatherings—all designed to foster belonging and meaningful connection. She is especially excited to welcome the legacy of the Mercury Cafe through the Mercury Legacy Jazz Jam and Poetry Open Mic, continuing a cherished tradition in a new home. The Karma House is a sober-friendly space that offers kava, herbal teas, and a vibrant calendar of events, serving as a hub for creativity, healing, and community in Colorado. 608 Garrison St e, Lakewood, CO 80215 and thekarmahouse.org

    37 min
  3. 156. Gabriel Gravagno - ANNOUNCEMENT RE CONTINUATION OF FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM AND OPEN MIC

    APR 22

    156. Gabriel Gravagno - ANNOUNCEMENT RE CONTINUATION OF FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM AND OPEN MIC

    Gabriel Gravagno returns to the show to talk about how to continue the legendary Friday Night Jazz Jam and Poetry Open Mic, which began long ago at the Mercury Cafe. Any questions, comments, or concerns can be sent to Gabe, who is eager to hear others' thoughts and ideas. A trial run of sorts will take place at the Karma House Kava Bar & Tea House, located at 608 Garrison St e, Lakewood, CO 80215 and thekarmahouse.org. First, a jam and open mic will be held on April 25th, from 7pm to 10pm (this is a chance for the Mercury jazz and poetry crowd to try out integration with an existing Karma House jazz night) followed by a Friday night Jazz Jam and Poetry Open Mic on May 1st, from 7pm to midnight. The plan is for the Friday night Jazz Jam and Poetry Open Mic to continue in earnest beginning on May 22nd, 2026. It is understood that there may be confusion and many other feelings regarding this. Once again, Gabe is eager to have a conversation with anyone who wishes to voice concerns, questions, or other ideas. Much love. Photo of Gabe credit Amy Jordheim

    28 min
  4. 155. Dominick Francois - Promo for Imagery Event on May 23rd, 2026

    APR 21 ·  BONUS

    155. Dominick Francois - Promo for Imagery Event on May 23rd, 2026

    A brief episode today with Dominick Francois discussing his Imagery EP and upcoming event celebrating its release to held on May 23rd, 2026 at Buell Public Media Center - 2101 Arapahoe St, Denver CO 80205 Tickets available here. Imagery EP available here.

    20 min
  5. 154. Frederick Kirwin's "Lost Songs of the Withlacoochee" read by Luis Garza

    APR 10

    154. Frederick Kirwin's "Lost Songs of the Withlacoochee" read by Luis Garza

    Something a little different on The Poets today. I am joined by Luis Garza, a digital marketing strategist and representative of Frederick Kirwin, author of Lost Songs of the Withlacoochee. Luis shares an excerpt from Kirwin's book, and we discuss themes of first loves, love lost and found, the rivers of the world, Garza's work with Kirwin, and Kirwin's corpus overall. - Lost Songs of the Withlacoochee can be purchased at Apollo Books You can learn more about, and get in touch with, Luis Garza at his website. - Frederick Kirwin graduated from Florida State University with a BA in History and International Affairs and an MA in Government. He passed the preliminary examinations for the PhD program in Government, received a teaching fellowship, and co-authored a scholarly article with Richard Gray, PhD, titled “Presidential Succession in Chile: 1817– 1966,” published in the Journal of Inter-American Studies (January 1969). He later withdrew from the program to accept a Shubert Fellowship in Theatre, earning an MFA in Playwriting.  His published works include Lost Songs of the Withlacoochee (poetry), Confessions of a Drowning Man (an epic poem), Songs Of the Garden of Delights (poetry), Body Carnal (poetry), Body Sacred (poetry), Talking About Diana's Death (a non-puff parody), Billy and Dakota (a BL love story), Dog Bites Man (a thriller), Past Love, Praise, Indifference, Blame (a play).  Production of his plays includes Billy (Playwrights Horizons, NYC); Swan Dive (Playwrights Horizons, NYC); Dog Bites Man (Marlborough Theatre, Brighton, UK, and later at the Rock Theatre, Brighton, U.K.); The Lottery (Tristan Bates Theatre, Covent Garden, London, UK, and later at Fox Theatre, London, UK); Talking about Diana (King's Head Theatre, London, UK, and later at the Camden People's Theatre, London, UK).  Kirwin is the recipient of The Dramatists Guild Fund Award and five Edward Albee Foundation Fellowships, and he served as Playwright-in-Residence at the North Carolina School of the Arts. His screenplay for the film, Dog Bites Man, received ten Best Script Awards.

    36 min
  6. 153. Madden Wishard

    MAR 24

    153. Madden Wishard

    Madden Wishard (they/them) can be summed up as “a lumbering soul but trying to fly,” a phrase written by John Steinbeck. Growing up in Northern Virginia, they always felt an immense pressure to be who they were not. As a queer and trans person in a conservative evangelical Christian community, they felt a keen sense of rejection. As they grew, they realized the power of words and began writing about their experiences. They hope ultimately to touch others with their writing.  Their poetry is focused on mental health, recovery, acceptance, and beauty. They have shared at Denver’s Pearl open mic night many times and are publishing their first book, Making Marmalade, which focuses on simple joys amidst harsh realities.  They have just begun their career as a surgical technologist after graduating from school with a degree in applied science. Prior to this, they worked with kids in mental health for 9 years. Their writing often bends towards the beauty in the intricate human body and that found in young minds.

    40 min
  7. 152. Ashley Howell Bunn

    MAR 15

    152. Ashley Howell Bunn

    Ashley Howell Bunn (she/they) completed her MFA in poetry through Regis University and holds a MA in Literature from Northwestern University. Their first chapbook, in coming light, was published in 2022 by Middle Creek Publishing and their second chapbook, Living Amends, is forthcoming through Galileo Press . Her first full-length collection, burning, breaking, building was published by South Broadway Press. Their work has been supported by Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and Sundress Publications. She is an adjunct instructor of English at the Community College of Denver and the Youth Program Manager at Lighthouse Writers Workshop. When she isn’t writing, she is practicing yoga, running in the sunshine, playing with her kids, or daydreaming and staring off into space. Ashley will be launching her new book burning, breaking, building on Thursday, April 23rd 2026 at Strawberry Mountain from 6-8 pm.

    59 min
  8. 151. Brock Purtell

    MAR 11

    151. Brock Purtell

    Brock is an author and poet whose work lives at the intersection of performance and the printed page. A familiar voice at the Pearl open mic and poetry slam, he is the author of the poetry collections Mercury Prepared and Moonlight Speaks—which were brought together in the volume Mercury and Moonlight. Venturing from the stage to the bookshelf, Brock has also published the children’s picture book The Lost Dragon. When not actively suffering from a bout of writer’s block, they can usually be found circling Sloan’s Lake or scouting Denver’s quietest corners, searching for that next spark of local inspiration. Brock's Book of Poetry, Mercury and Moonlight, can be purchased here.

    45 min
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About

The Poets is an online poetry feature. With roots in Denver’s vibrant poetry scene, this show looks to feature talented voices from the Queen City of the Plains, as well as around the world. Poetry read on the show is selected by the feature poet, and may contain references to challenging topics. All views expressed by feature poets are their own. Open minds are encouraged. Poet info will be included alongside each episode. Support local art and please, do not stop creating.

Information

  • Creator
    The Poets
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Poets
  • Show Website
    The Poets