In a story which is only too timely, the Washington Post recently reported that “sexist men have psychological problems.” Adrienne Rich was talking about this over 60 years ago in poems like “The Knight.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Knight" Donald Trump, Feminism, masculinity | Comments closed

Poetry that Reclaims Women’s Bodies

By Robin Bates | Published: May 13, 2015

A former student, in her senior project, used feminist poems as the basis for art workshops designed to help women feel better about their bodies.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Rising Venus", eating disorders, Feminism, Kelly Cherry, Lucille Clifton, Self esteem, Sylvia Plath, women's bodies | Comments closed

Rich Reflects on Yom Kippur & Conflict

By Robin Bates | Published: October 5, 2014

Adrienne Rich’s meditates on the meaning of Yom Kippur in light of America’s divisions and her own longing for solitude.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Prelude", "Yom Kippur 1984", Judaism, Robinson Jeffers, Walt Whitman, Yom Kippur | Comments closed

Adrienne Rich’s Final Dive

By Robin Bates | Published: March 29, 2012

In “Diving into the Wreck” Adrienne Rich surveyed the wreckage of post-World War II relationships and charted new paths.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Diving into the Wreck", Feminism | Comments closed

The Immigrant’s Choice

By Robin Bates | Published: April 12, 2011

Adrienne Rich has a well-known poem that is powerful in large part because it captures, simply and directly, the immigrant’s plight. Rich depicts immigration as a stark choice—either one goes through the door or one doesn’t. The decision has immense ramifications, both positive and negative.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Anzia Yezierska, Immigration, politics, Rachel Kranz | Comments closed