Yesterday as the sun set on Market Square, Knoxville announced its newest Poet Laureate. Linda Parsons is the fifth citizen poet to hold the honorary title, joining the ranks of R.B. Morris (‘16–18), Marilyn Kallet (‘18–20), Rhea Carmon (‘20–23) and Joseph Woods aka Black Atticus (‘23–25).
The Poet Laureate program, administered by the Arts & Culture Alliance with support from the Mayor’s Office, honors standout local writers and helps carry forward Knoxville’s rich literary tradition. The Poet Laureate’s role, across a two-year term, is to “serve as a public voice of Knoxville, creating city-specific works and participating in literary outreach and educational programs.”
Linda, a member of the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, has authored six collections of poetry. Five of her plays have been produced by Flying Anvil Theatre. She currently serves as poetry editor for Madville Publishing, copy editor for Chapter 16 (the literary website of Humanities Tennessee), and is on the board of the Knoxville Writers Guild. Urban Guy profiled Linda a couple years ago after the release of her most recent book, Valediction: Poems and Prose.
“I’m very grateful to be recognized, and especially grateful that Knoxville recognizes the power of the written and spoken word,” Linda said. “I want to be of service, and I want to be present for people who need to hear words and need to express their own stories.”
We’re also grateful to outgoing Poet Laureate Black Atticus, whose tenure included powerful performances at multiple city events, including the 2025 State of the City Address at Covenant Park in April.
Knoxville Poetry Liberation Front Arrives in the Old City
On a note unrelated to her new post, I met Linda for coffee last week to talk about an event she’s organizing: Knoxville Poetry Liberation Front, a poetry reading and fundraiser for the ACLU of Tennessee. It’s happening this Sunday, June 22, from 4–6 p.m. at River & Rail Theatre in the Old City Performing Arts Center (111 State Street). Tickets are $15 at the door.
The event is a response to the heaviness of our current moment. “I was thinking, like many of us probably are these days, ‘What can I do? What can one person do to help turn the tide back toward democracy and truth?’ And I thought, well—I have my voice,” Linda said.
She reached out to Knoxville’s poetry A-team and asked if they’d take part. Every single one said yes. The lineup includes all five former and current Poet Laureates, plus Drew Drake, Brian Griffin, Jack Rentfro, Erin Elizabeth Smith, Susan O’Dell Underwood, Denton Loving and Tom Weiss, plus ambient guitar from Bob Deck. Each poet will have a 10-minute set.
“I wanted poets who are not only wonderful writers, but who also have name recognition,” she added “People who would pull in different people from different persuasions. Part of my purpose was to attract folks who may not normally attend a poetry reading.”
“There’s a real history of this,” Linda said. “Of the writers, the poets, using their voices to bring issues to the public.” She reminded that Ronald Reagan quoted a poem in his televised address after the Challenger disaster. After 9/11, there were poems. After Hurricane Helena tore through North Carolina and East Tennessee—poems. “People need words.”
The title, Knoxville Poetry Liberation Front, comes from a poem by Wendell Berry. “Yes, it’s a resistance event,” Linda said, “but it’s also to remind us of our connectedness, our humanity.”
Former Poet Laureate Marilyn Kallet plans to open her set with a short piece about the French verb tromper, which means “to deceive.” The rest of her poems, she said, are “mostly upbeat and loving, one set in nature.” In one, she has a conversation with a dogwood petal about keeping things light. “Creating, singing (that’s what poetry does), and group work are all aspects of an antidote to hate and oppressive politics,” she said. “Laughter helps, too.” Linda and Marilyn discussed the event with WUOT’s Todd Steed in this recent Studio 865 interview.
Brian Griffin, who recently released Single Lens Reflex, a poetry collection about his experience of the 2008 mass shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, reflected on how this reading will feel different. (He discussed the book with Todd Steed on a different episode of Studio 865 here.)
“I’m sitting around writing poems that seem a bit angry, but for me that seems to be a welcome break from the depressing surrealism of my poems about the shooting, you know?” he said. “A bit of anger can sometimes be rooted in deep love … love for those mistreated, love for those left out, love for a dream of equality for all, and love for a country that used to be a welcoming beacon of hope.”
More Poetic Odds ‘n’ Ends
Poetry is alive and well in Knoxville. From open mics to workshops to festivals, there’s no shortage of ways to plug in.
Last week, Knoxville hosted the 33rd annual Southern-Fried Regional Poetry Slam, a four-day festival celebrating spoken word, performance poetry and community connection. Events were held across downtown, including at the Knoxville Convention Center, Old City Performing Arts Center, Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus, Noble Kava and Sassy Ann’s.
“We had a wonderful time in Knoxville once again,” said Sarita Goods, president of the Southern Fried Poetry, Inc. board of directors. “We’re grateful for the support we received from local businesses, arts organizations, the City of Knoxville, Visit Knoxville and the Knoxville Convention Center. We were able to provide a safe space for almost 200 poets to come and share their craft.”
As someone who majored in creative writing with a concentration in poetry (Marilyn Kallet was my favorite professor), I’ve always had a soft spot for the form even if I’ve not done too much of it since then. But honestly, I credit poetry with shaping how I write as a journalist. When every word counts, poetry teaches you how to make language pull its weight.
Lately, though, I’ve been writing actual poem-poems again. I don’t know if it’s the times we’re living in, or something more personal, but it’s been a gift to return to that part of myself. This spring, I read at an open mic for the first time in years—at Fountain City’s hidden gem, Fable Hollow Bookshoppe—and was met with such welcome and warmth. It’s that kind of community.
Poetry is for everyone. If you’re curious or want to get involved, the Knoxville Writers Guild is a helpful resource. Programs are usually first Thursdays at 7 p.m.; visit the website for location. There’s a monthly Knoxville Poetry Slam at Central Cinema on second Tuesdays; doors open at 6:45 p.m. Sundress Academy for the Arts hosts a reading series and workshops; check its Facebook page and website. The Maker Exchange also hosts open mics. Keep an eye on Inside of Knoxville’s Ten-Day Planner as we frequently have open mic and workshop listings as well.