Poetry + Prose

Your vision deserves a voice

From ideation to delivery, I'll help you craft a message that's authentic to you. An award-winning poet and seasoned political speechwriter, I help some of the world's most prominent voices motivate audiences with language that moves.

Book a free consultation
Ezra Zwaeli working on a laptop set on a road case at the edge of an empty theater stage, rows of seats rising behind him

Services

Speechwriting
From keynotes and commencements to wedding toasts and eulogies, I'll handle the research, drafting, and revisions, and stay on through delivery day.
Speech & delivery coaching
Brilliant words don't land if you speak them poorly. We'll cover rhythm, meter, cadence, enunciation, and emphasis to ensure your ideas get the delivery they deserve.
Executive communications
Ongoing support for frequent speakers. Message development and strategy; narrative discipline; and internal, external, and crisis communications.
Op-eds & thought leadership
Prose on the page should still have voice—and not the soulless, quietly delving one that's filling your feed.

From clients

“The level of writing, the attention to detail, and the sensitivity to language that Ezra brings raises the level of clarity and commitment to our work. And that's priceless.”

— Cyndy Yu-RobinsonExecutive Director, Kramden Institute

“When writing has you feeling stuck, lost, or disoriented, Ezra offers the gift of clearing a path, lighting the way, and helping you find your voice.”

— Atinuke “Tinu” Akintola DiverDocumentary Filmmaker; VP of Impact, DHIC

Boston Mayor Michelle WuThe VaticanU.S. House of RepresentativesThe New York TimesThe Washington PostThe Boston GlobeWest Wing WritersThe Inclusion Playbook

Prose

Ezra Zwaeli and Mayor Michelle Wu reviewing a draft on a laptop, the Mayor holding her infant

Poetry

  • Being of Islands

    Hunger Mountain · Ruth Stone Poetry Prize

  • Renaissance

    Salt Hill Journal · Issue 46

  • Inheritance

    Chrysanthemum: Voices of the Taiwanese Diaspora

  • Bracing

    December Magazine · Volume 28.1 · Finalist, Jeff Marks Memorial Poetry Prize

  • Chopsticks

    Pembroke Magazine · Volume 49

Ezra Zwaeli sitting alone on a stage floor, working on a laptop

Conversations

Ezra Zwaeli speaking on a panel, holding a microphone

About

Portrait of Ezra Zwaeli in a suit and round glasses

Ezra Zwaeli (zwhy-elle-ee) is a speechwriter, speech coach, poet, and essayist.

Ezra began his career writing for the National Association of Asian American Professionals and publishing poetry in various literary journals—winning the Ruth Stone Poetry Prize and earning nominations for the Best New Poetry Award and the Pushcart Prize.

As lead pen to the Founder and President of the Inclusion Playbook, Ezra helped shift the narrative on LGBTQ+ inclusion in athletics—from the NCAA to the International Olympic Committee. As a director at West Wing Writers, Ezra crafted speeches, op-eds, and thought leadership for elected officials, Fortune 100 CEOs, professional athletes, entertainers, and activists.

Prior to founding Poetry + Prose, Ezra served as the Director of Speechwriting for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. In that role, Ezra wrote—and led the team behind—every major address of Mayor Wu's historic first term, laying the foundation for her record-breaking reelection victory in 2025.

Have something to say?

Get in touch:

Or email directly: ezra@poetryplusprose.com