Julia Vinograd’s “Why I Write Poetry”
Ken Paul Rosenthal visited the Kelly Writers House in part to discuss Julia Vinograd’s poem “Why I Write Poetry.” You can watch that discussion HERE. And here, below, is the text of the poem:
fall 2026 webcast schedule
NOTE: All times given are Eastern U.S. Time. Click HERE to watch any of our 2025 webcasts.
Week 1 – Wed 9/2 – noon
Week 2 – Wed 9/9 – 10 AM
Week 3 – Wed 9/16 – 3 PM
Week 4 – Wed 9/23 – noon (w/ Ron Silliman)
Week 5 – Thursday 10/1 (in Manchester) 6:30 local time
Week 6 – Wed 10/7 – 3 PM
Week 7 – Wed 10/14 – 3 PM (w/ Anne Waldman)
Week 8 – Wed 10/21 – noon (w/ Bob Perelmant)
Week 9 – Wed 10/28 – 10 AM
Week 10 – Wed 11/4 – 3 PM (w/ Emily Skillings & Mark Nowak)
Final Words – Monday 11/9 – noon
take ModPo for credit
Yes, you can take ModPo for University of Pennsylvania credit. Three 10-week sessions are offered each year: fall, spring, summer. This version of ModPo is taught by ModPo coordinator Laynie Browne. Click HERE for all the info you need. Contact Laynie with questions at modpo@writing.upenn.edu.
for teachers
ModPo has created a Teacher Resource Center (“TRC“) for teachers who use ModPo poems & videos in their classrooms. Click HERE to read teaching guides and watch videos in which teachers talk about teaching with ModPo. If you wish to be added to our teachers mailing list, write us at modpo@writing.upenn.edu. Click HERE to discuss ModPo poems with other teachers.
