Denise Duhamel

Denise Duhamel’s most recent books of poetry are Pink Lady (Pittsburgh, 2025), Second Story (Pittsburgh, 2021), and Scald (2017). Blowout (2013) was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is a Distinguished University Professor in the MFA program at Florida International University in Miami.

Reading List

MAY 24, 2022

Denise Duhamel  | 
Issue 73.2 Spring 2024

Turtles come to shore, dig holes and lay their eggs. City workers arrange orange cones and what looks like police tape to protect them—do I need to say it?— the way humans don’t always protect our own children. City officials dim streetlights so mama turtles can find their way in the dark, no glare. Once, […]

Lower East Side Boyfriend

Denise Duhamel  | 
Issue 61.1 Fall 2012

When I came home from work, I saw a package for him, so I took it up to the sixth floor where he lived. I was puffing a bit since I wasn’t used to the climb. I lived on the …

An Unmarried Woman

Denise Duhamel  | 
Issue 61.1 Fall 2012

An Unmarried Woman (for Jill Clayburgh, 1944-2010) When I first saw it, I was a high school junior. Jill Clayburgh was scandalous ballet dancing in her tee shirt and panties, showing her teenage daughter a wet spot on the bed …