Welcome to Arlin Buyert Poetry
“The sun sets fast tonight
and the shadows take their places in the dark."
Elder Tree Press welcomed Arlin's latest poem On Being, for publication.
Two of Arlin's poems were accepted for publication this month by Coal City Review. Read "Ajar" and "Bits and Pieces".
Longleaf Press has accepted two of Arlin's poems for publication. "Reunion" and "Bone".
Fine Lines literary journal has accepted Arlin's poem Recipe Box for publication.
Fall has brought a newly published poem by Fine Lines literary journal. The new poem simply titled Shoes, is anything but simply.
Winter Night was recently accepted for publication by Presbyterian Outlook's Advent Anthology. Read winter night
Arlin's new poem "Safe at Green Lake" was accepted for publication in the journal, Fine Lines
Coal City Review has accepted Arlin's poem, Ajar for publication. Read Ajar.
The Presbyterian Outlook has published Arlin's poem Mason Jars. It is slated to appear in their May issue. Read Mason Jars.
Arlin's poem, Son has been accepted for publication in the journal, Fine Lines. Fine Lines is a quarterly literary journal that publishes fiction, non-fiction and poetry from writers around the world. Read, Son.
Arlin reading Sunday night.
It's Strange About Stars - An immersive musical and poetic experience
An immersive musical and poetic experience at Village Presbyterian Church. Featuring guest poet Arlin Buyert, along with pianists Jessica Koebbe and Tracy Johnson.
A new poem by Arlin, "Bits and Pieces" was recently accepted for publication in Coal City Review
Arlin recently had his poem "Dear Dad" published in The Presbyterian Outlook. A powerful and moving poem about the horrors of war.
Read "Dear Dad"
Wednesday May 12th found Arlin at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village reading a host of his poetry from all 4 of his published books. Besides answering questions and telling fascinating stories about the poems, Arlin had members of the audience taking turns with him in reading many of the poems.
"Notes from the Joint", a poem by Arlin was recently nominated for the Pushcart Prize in Poetry.
Arlin's poem Snow has been accepted for publication by Fine Lines Press.
Snow
Visiting the cemetery
in my home town, I hear
my boots crunch the snow
that warms mom and dad
six feet below.
I feel the north wind on my back,
put my hands in my pockets,
remembering our family farm
where dad and I, tethered to our hearts
while in the glow of kerosene lanterns,
milked our cows by hand,
while their gently swishing tails
dusted the table of my laments
covered with soft, sifting, sacred snow.
Centuries of Sorrow has been accepted for publishing by the Coal City Review.
A new poem from Arlin during Covid. Centuries of Sorrow
The May edition of the Heartland Journal published Arlin's poem "Rear View".
Arlin's new poem, Mama's Eyes has been accepted by Poetry Leaves and will be published in their May 20th - June 3rd, 2020 Anthology. To learn more please visit: https://www.poetry-leaves.com/
A new poem, Mama's Eyes
- Mama's Tired Eyes
The only things my mama bought at Jim's Grocery
were flour, sugar, chocolate, salt and pepper.
She cooked three meals every day,
never ate in a restaurant, baked all our bread, Mama's Eyes
Arlin's latest book, "Razor Wire" is a 2019 Nominee for the 41st Thorpe Menn Literary Excellence Award
There will be an Awards Program and Luncheon on Saturday, October 5th Kansas City Public Library honoring the Award Nominees.
For reservations and information call 816-701-3400
Arlin has recently had a poem accepted for publication to Glass Poetry Press. Glass Poetry Press is a micro-press in Toledo, Ohio that publishes poetry chapbooks. They also publish the online poetry journal, Glass: A Journal of Poetry.
Arlin's poem for publication: Different Rules
The Johnson County Library again hosted an evening of poetry by Arlin's inmate students. What was different this time was these were all ex-convicts who were not only reading their poetry inspired by Arlin's teaching, but also poems of those still incarcerated. The evening was painful and profound. The near capacity audience sat spellbound for 60 minutes.
Click here to watch video of the last poem of the evening.
KKFI Radio "Jaws of Justice" podcast with Jeffery Humfeld interviews Arlin regarding the Lansing Prison Story as well as the upcoming poetry reading on March 19th. Listen Now.
No Second Chance for Lansing Prison Poetry Teacher.
The Kansas City Star
No poetry for you: Overreaction ends Lansing prison class, with no chance for appeal! Read More
Set in a state prison, these interrelated free-verse poems take the fictitious voice of inmates who speak about their lives and dreams. The concept for Razor Wire comes from Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology.
The book will be available on Amazon and in local Kansas City book stores.
Arlin's poem Notes From the Joint has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for Poetry. This poem reflects Arlin's experiences teaching poetry at Lansing Prison.
On November 8th, 2018 the Interurban Arthouse sponsored an "Open to the Sky" poetry reading featuring Lansing Prison current and former inmates.
On Tuesday, September 17th, 2018 the Thomas Zvi Wilson Reading Series presented an evening of poetry with Arlin Buyert.
Special musical guests Pat McGee, Jean Spikes,
and Steve Spikes.
See the Video Page for live performances.
Solitude
Early morning
sitting near the dock
under the arms of an old oak,
I hear waves
waft a psalm of peace
in a holy way.
She is a window
looking deeply into the earth,
a passage to my depths
blanketed with water
that runs free yet bounded
by rocky shores and unseen winds.
I hear the loon's lilt,
see a swift sweep the surface,
feel the bite of morning's chill,
smell the cabin's cedar story,
taste alone on my lips.
Arlin along with 3 Lansing Prison inmates had poems published in the latest edition of the Coal City Review.