Karian Markos

18/04/2026

Poetry Month Prompt 5: Mythical Hybrids. Write a poem about a hybrid creature from any mythology tradition as if it lived in today’s world. Resurrect the sphynx, chimera, pegasus, griffin…let them wreak havoc or reign supreme in your urban or suburban paradise. Research the mythical origins of your creature. What purpose did it serve in the culture from which it originated? What can we learn about our current selves through the monsters of the past?

Context: My favorite mythical creature is the sphynx. In Greek mythology, the creature, a winged lion with a female head, was sent by the gods to guard the gates to the city of Thebes. The penalty for wrong answers or unanswered questions—a good, solid, devouring. Perhaps she served as a cautionary reminder of the ills of hubris and ignorance…😳😵
My second favorite mythical creature: the gorgon, who turned all who looked at her to stone.

15/04/2026

15/04/2026

I’m excited to announce, Voices from Uganda, an anthology of student poetry, from our ChildrenUP students in northern Uganda.

Last summer we asked our students to write poetry on three themes—resilience, community, and the power of education. I had the difficult task of selecting which of the excellent array of submissions would be included in an in person reading last October. We produced this anthology to shine a spotlight on our ChildrenUP students’ strong voices for everyone to enjoy.

The anthology will be available for purchase at the ChildrenUP Gala event on April 23rd. Proceeds will benefit ChildrenUP, a nonprofit organization I have been serving since 2015, that provides funding for post-primary education in Northern Uganda.

For more information about ChildrenUP or to purchase tickets to the gala, please visit ChildrenUP.org.

08/04/2026

Poetry Month Prompt 3: The Devil is in the Details. Write a poem about something small in an imaginary dystopia that, if changed, would alter the course of that world for the better. Examine your world with a microscope, explore how small things can have big impact.

Context: Last weekend I was in Athens for the first ever Athens International Literary Festival. I had the opportunity to take a masterclass with Paul Lynch, author of the prizewinning dystopian novel, Prophet Song, on summoning the muse. During the masterclass he encouraged us to go out into the world with a pen a paper (not on our phones) and pay attention, recording every detail we noticed. Silly me was paying such close attention to the glass atrium above me, that I tripped over an electrical outlet on the floor. Fortunately, I have the balance of an alley cat and seven of nine lives left, so I didn’t end up on the floor. The whole scenario feels like a metaphor for my own life, so focused on whats going on above and less on what’s been keeping my foundation stable. Gotta make sure the head keeps moving in all directions 😺

05/04/2026

Poetry Month Writing Prompt 2: Dryads—Imagine your favorite tree as a person. What would they look like? Describe his or her physical appearance and personality. If they could speak, what would they say? Write a poem about a detail you discover in conversation with your dryad.

Context: This soulful eucalyptus tree is rooted in the Thessalian plain in Greece. When you put your ear to its trunk, you can hear it speak in creaks and cracks above the whisper of its fragrant leaves in the wind. Magical.

03/04/2026

Whenever I’m in Thessaloniki, I stop at and this trip was no exception. A poetry reading in beautiful Aristotelous Square may be in the cards someday 🤞💕

02/04/2026

Poetry Month Writing Prompt 1: The Lost Sister. Write a poem from the perspective of the Karyatids pictured above.

Some context for inspiration: Pictured above are the Korai or Karyatids, located on the 5th Century BCE Erechtheion structure at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. There are numerous interpretations as to who these maidens represent—women of Karyes punished for their betrayal of the Greeks, or there to honor the goddess Artemis with dance, daughters of Kekropas, or Arrhephoroi in the Panathenaic procession. One thing for certain is that one of these Kores was taken by lord Elgin and brought to England where she stands in the British Museum, apart from her sisters—which explains the conspicuous gap where the sixth statue should be.

21/03/2026

Today was an all around beautiful day spent with my dad at a Modern Greek translation workshop at UIC. Though I have changed quite a bit, the brutalist labyrinth that is BSB has not. The backdrop made for quite a nostalgic visit.

The outstanding lecture presented by Dr Patricia Barbieto was organized by the University of Illinois Chicago, with the support of the Consulate General of Greece. So very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate.

16/03/2026

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of hearing Illinois Poet Laureate, Mark Turcotte read and talk about his work. And, drum roll….I got to read a poem of my own too! Thanks to and the remaining organizers for putting on a fantastic program. These events are the spice of life!

08/03/2026

Inspiration comes in so many forms. The juxtaposition of ordinary against unusual does wonders for my imagination. Props to whoever does their sourcing. You’re getting a line in the acknowledgments of my next book 👏