Harryette Mullen — LUVTOFU
From Poetry Unbound by On Being Studios
February 9, 2026 · 15 min · Season 10 · Episode 9
About this episode
Harryette Mullen’s poem 'LUVTOFU' challenges conventional views of poetry with its playful and rhythmic style.
Too many of us left high school thinking that a poem could be taken seriously only if it was difficult to understand, subdued in its use of rhyme and alliteration, and addressed lofty topics. Harryette Mullen’s saucy, suggestive “LVTOFU” bulldozes through convention, all the while revelling in its own rhythms, references, and humor. We invite you to subscribe to Pádraig’s weekly Poetry Unbound Substack, read the Poetry Unbound books and his newest work, Kitchen Hymns, or listen to all our Poetry Unbound episodes.
Topics covered
- poetry
- literature
- art
- humor
Keywords
- Harryette Mullen
- LUVTOFU
- poetic conventions
- rhyme
- alliteration
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Kitchen Hymns
Books & works: LUVTOFU, LVTOFU, Poetry Unbound Substack, Poetry Unbound, Kitchen Hymns
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