Discover the Rich World of Arizona Poetry on AZpoetry.com
Arizona poetry thrives at the intersection of diverse landscapes, cultures, and stories, making it a unique and vibrant facet of the literary world. From cowboy poetry that reflects the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert to contemporary verses exploring themes of identity, resilience, and place, Arizona poets have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.
Click below to enter the grid and begin your journey into the heart of Arizona poetry!
- “Recipe For Greatness” by Zane Grey
To bear up under loss; To fight the bitterness of defeat and the weakness of grief; To be victor over anger; To smile when tears are close; To resist disease … - “Goldfish” by Beth May
grandma and I are caught in Loops hiit’s B I’m good how are you I live inLos Angeles and I love it traffic’s badbut it gives me time to think … - ‘Hooked Claus’ by The Klute
For the longest time,no one remembered how we were partners,the Good Cop and Bad Cop of Yuletide,a symphony of jingle bells and rattling chains‘ere we drove out of sight.How disturbed … - “Thanksgiving Prayer” by William S. Burroughs
thanksgiving day november 28th, 1986 thanks for the wild turkey and passenger pigeonsdestined to be [ ] out through wholesome american guts thanks for a comment to despoil and poison [Music] … - “They Don’t Love You Like I Love You” by Natalie Diaz
they don’t love you like i love youmy mother said this to me long beforebeyonce lifted the lyrics from the yeah yeah yeahswhat my mother meant by don’t straywas that … - “A House Called Tomorrow” by Alberto Rios
a house called tomorrow you are not 15or 12 or 17 you are a hundred wildcenturies and 15 bringing with you inevery breath and in every step everyonewho has come … - “A Cowboy’s Prayer” by Badger Clark
A Cowboy’s Prayer (Written for Mother) Oh Lord, I’ve never lived where churches grow.I love creation better as it stoodThat day You finished it so long agoAnd looked upon Your … - “Here’s What You Do” by Mikel Weisser
Here’s what you do:You take every chance to make itNever say no to anythingIf you want itTake the minute to take that every effort‘cause chances not only comeBut they goHere’s … - “Birdwatcher” by Aaron Hopkins-Johnson
I’m a bird.One day, the thru-hiker came byand tried guessing my name. She got it wrong. But birdbrains know how to spot beauty over faults.For the first time in my … - “Elected” by Alice Cooper
I’m your top prime cut of meat, I’m your choiceI wanna be electedI’m your yankee doodle dandy in a gold Rolls RoyceI wanna be electedKids want a savior, don’t need … - “Hip-Hop Republican” by The Klute
This poem was a spoken word poem, often performed in poetry slams locally, and nationally by The Klute, and various other members of the Arizona poetry community, sometimes with the … - ‘Benedicto’ by Edward Abbey
Benedicto: May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome,dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.May your rivers flow without end,meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells,past temples and castles and poets’ … - “Fancy Mac and Cheese” by Kevin Flanagan
My mother used to cook for meWhich bears comment, these daysDinner was a regimental affairthroughout my teen years. Spaghetti,jarred sauce,garlic breadand bagged salad. Beef tacos-Shredded lettuce,Diced tomatoes,and bagged cheese. These … - “Desert” by Richard Shelton
Sometimes the sun is still tryingto get to the horizonwhen a daylight moon comes up,fragile and almost transparent,the ghost of a white birdwith damaged wings,blown from its course and lostin … - “Letter To Summer” by Valence
I send letters and Bottles across bodiesof water or folded up and flown over thePeaks addressed to the summer summer isa star-eyed space cadet called meStardust in the making I … - “Love You Some Indians” by Roanna Shebala
“Hide like you are ashamed of pigment.Everyone in Cleveland loves the Indians!Like it separated you fromEveryone loves them some Indians!the norm. Love you some Indians.Tan that hide Be The Indian.Work … - “Mexicans Are Such Hard Workers” by Anna Flores
I overhear my porcelain teachers clink their teeth together like a toastin celebration of their tongues,proud to be so kind. My father borrows a name so he can feed us. I dream about … - “Green Chile” by Jimmy Santiago Baca
I prefer red chile over my eggsand potatoes for breakfast.Red chile ristras decorate my door,dry on my roof, and hang from eaves.They lend open-air vegetable standshistorical grandeur, and gently swingwith an air … - “Outside” by Thomas Cooper
Welcome to Outside.Press START to begin.Good luck! You zone into Des Plaines, Illinois; early 2000s.The poplars rise from green plots in front of boxy houses.You watch the other preteens skate … - “The Giant Cactus of Arizona” by Harriet Monroe
The cactus in the desert stands Like time’s inviolate sentinel, Watching the sun-washed waste of sands Lest they their ancient secrets tell. And the lost lore of mournful lands It knows alone and guards too … - “Night in Arizona” by Sara Teasdale
Night in Arizona The moon is a chiseled snowflake, It floats in a sky of pink, The desert is a hushed whisper, A breath of stars, I think. Cacti stand … - “Arizona” by James William Foley
Arizona Here’s to the land of the rock and the cactus, The sun and the sand and the sky, Where the weather is hot and the tourists are flocking, And … - “Deserted” by John Charles Van Dyke
Deserted Deserted are the canyons, And the mesas wide and bare, The rivers run in silence, Through the lands that none may share. The peaks are wrapped in shadows, And … - “In the Arizona Desert” by C.S. Wortley
In the Arizona Desert In the Arizona desert, Where the sun is fierce and high, Where the purple shadows gather Underneath the cloudless sky; There the silent mountains beckon, And … - “Desert Rain” by Mary Hunter Austin
Desert Rain High in the sierras, All the smouldering summer, Sudden the thunder! Rain on the mountains, Rain on the dry hills, Spate in the gullies. Manna of heaven That … - “Arizona” by Clarence Urmy
A land of mesas and of rocky spires, Of wondrous canyons and eternal fires, Of boundless spaces, mighty, grim, and grand, Where silence keeps the secrets of the land. About … - “Desert Rain” by John Gould Fletcher
Across the burnished mesas They march in lines of jade, The thunder-heads assembled To crush the light parade. The shadow of their wingspread Sweeps through the cañon’s door; Out leaps … - “The Song of the Sonoran Desert” by Sharlot Madbirdth Hall
Oh, land of the cactus and yucca, Of towering rock and of sand, Where silence is king of the daytime, And the stars rule the night with their band. Oh, …
At AZpoetry.com, we celebrate the voices that bring Arizona poetry to life. Our comprehensive poetry grid is your gateway to a growing archive of works from Arizona’s most iconic and emerging poets. Whether you’re seeking thought-provoking free verse, traditional forms, or the evocative rhythms of spoken word, you’ll find something to inspire and captivate you here.
Why Arizona Poetry Matters
Arizona has a rich tradition of poetry influenced by its breathtaking deserts, towering red rocks, and cultural diversity. The state’s poetry reflects a fusion of Native American heritage, Mexican-American influences, and Western traditions. From iconic cowboy poets like Gail Gardner to modern spoken word artists like Logan Phillips, Arizona poetry embodies the spirit of the Southwest.
Explore Our Poetry Grid
Our poetry grid at AZpoetry.com is designed to make it easy for you to discover new favorites and revisit timeless classics. Each poem is accompanied by insights into its meaning, background on the poet, and links to their full bios, offering a deeper connection to the works and creators.
Keywords to Keep in Mind
- Slam poetry: Explore works that reflect the state’s unique landscapes and cultures through performance poetry. Many of these come with a video
- Cowboy poetry: Dive into the Western traditions and tales of Arizona’s cowboy poets.
- Songwriters: Explore poetry that may have been originally performed with music
- Spoken word Arizona: Discover the dynamic voices shaping the modern poetry scene.
- Academic poets: Learn about the writers who’ve defined and continue to influence poetry in the state through their influence in academia.
Start exploring Arizona poetry today and immerse yourself in the words and worlds that define the Grand Canyon State. Visit the poetry grid on AZpoetry.com to celebrate the diverse voices of Arizona and beyond.
Discover Arizona Poetry by Category
1900s Poetry 1910s Poetry 1920s Poetry 1930s Poetry 1990s Poetry 2000s Poetry 2010s Poetry 2020s Poetry Aging Alice Cooper Alzheimers Badger Clark Beth May Cactus Cowboy Poetry Dementia Desert Poetry Ed Mabrey Edward Abbey Flagstaff hip-hop Homebase Inspirational Poetry Kevin Flanagan Kingman Landscape Mental Health Mesa Mikel Weisser Motivation Native American Payson Phoenix Political Politics Sedona Slam poetry Songwriters Sonoran Summer Tempe The Klute Western Zane Grey Zines