About Shannon

Shannon Ogden is an emerging poet based in New Jersey. Born in Edison, NJ, to a mixed working-class family, her father is a chef and small business owner, as well as an accomplished bassist, and her Mexican-American mother is a fierce homemaker with a critical eye for design and beauty. Through this upbringing, Shannon developed a deep appreciation for art, hard work, and thinking outside the box.

An avid reader, she started writing poetry at a young age. At ten, she was published in various young poets’ collections in her local newspaper. As she grew older, she found a passion for theater and business and pursued both throughout her teens and twenties, with poetry and creative writing as a constant through-line. She carries a lifetime of honing her craft, enriched by the many roads she has walked.

Recently, Shannon was published in the Highland Park Zine, On The River. She frequently creates, hosts, and performs in collaboration with other artists and organizations, including the Highland Park Arts Commission, Pinos Events, and the Barron Art Center. She also works with local groups to bring poetry into unique spaces, including art galleries and pop-ups, music shows, and local festivals.

Shannon’s poetry focuses on dualities such as humanity and nature, love and heartbreak, and joy and pain. She draws deep inspiration from nature and art, personifying her work through these elements. She writes freely, with a strong focus on rhythm — often incorporating art and music into her projects. Shannon is most inspired by Mary Oliver, Robert Frost, and José Olivarez. A sample of her work is available on Instagram at @shannon.o.poetry, along with event and collaboration announcements.