About Me

Hi there! My name is Elyse Hart, and I'm a poet living in Venice Beach, California with my cats Asher and Fiona Apple.

 

I've been writing poetry since I was nine years old, and though my early work will never see the light of day, I've continued to write and hone my craft over the years. I didn't study writing or literature in school—I was a psych major—but I rediscovered my love for poetry through Beyond Baroque's Wednesday Night Workshop. The encouragement I received from fellow writers inspired me to submit my work to literary magazines, and I'm proud to say that my work has been published in a variety of them.

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My poetry tends to focus on a few different styles. I enjoy writing micropoetry, which allows me to be efficient and say a lot with as few words as possible. My micropoems often explore existential themes and feelings of disconnection. On the other end of the spectrum, I also write ekphrastic poetry inspired by Instagram photos, which tends to be lighter and humorous. Finally, I write found poetry that addresses the topic of reproductive rights, and aims to convey the reality of people who bear the burden of pregnancy.

 

I've published two collections of poetry. My book Poems for Squares: 29 Instagram Accounts in Verse (Lint Ball Press) received praise from some of my poetry heroes including Rich Ferguson, who called it "a vibrant and inventive collection." Another ekphrastic poet, Camille Guthrie, said that the book "expanded ekphrastic poetry's possibilities." I've also published a micropoetry chapbook, White Noise Crucible, which is available through Bottlecap Press or my shop.

 

To see more of my work, follow me on Instagram (@elysehartpoetry). You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook (@elysehartpoetry). If you want to get occasional updates on my projects, please sign up for my newsletter. I'd love to connect with you!