It's meant to be a "here's something you can explore in your free time" kind of thing. Don't be intimidated by poetry, just enjoy it. Listen to the melodies, let the rhymes bounce off each other, let the vivid imagery swirl in your mind, and engage with the ideas.
Being an avid literature enthusiast, my passion for poetry has always burned bright. I developed a deep love for it during my high school years, and now, as I prepare to embark on a poetry class at university, my excitement knows no bounds. However, I must confess that delving into the world of poetry was initially daunting for me, as I had no idea where to begin.
During my high school days, I found immense joy in reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe and J.R.R. Tolkien. Their poems captivated my imagination, and I hold one particular piece dear to my heart as my absolute favorite.
Today, my reading habits have evolved, and I often find myself eagerly scouring libraries and bookstores in search of new poetry collections to explore. With this in mind, I thought it would be wonderful to share some recommendations on poets and poems that share similarities with the works of Poe, Tolkien, and the poetry I have come to adore.
Let me guide you to two incredible websites, the Poetry Foundation and Poets.org. These platforms are home to vast archives of poems that will surely captivate you. In particular, the Poetry Foundation publishes Poetry Magazine, a highly influential poetry publication. It's a treasure trove of poetic brilliance. You'll find biographies and selected works from both renowned and lesser-known poets.
I absolutely adore John Berryman's Dream Songs, especially Dream Song 2, Dream Song 3, Dream Song 31, and Dream Song 11. Berryman's ability to blend wit, sadness, and linguistic creativity is truly captivating. These poems all revolve around a character named Henry, with an unnamed "friend" who occasionally chimes in by addressing Henry as "Mr. Bones" with an emdash.
Ladan Osman: “Exiles of Eden (Coffee House Press, 2019),” and “The Kitchen-Dweller’s Testimony (University of Nebraska Press, 2015)”. Ladan Osman is a talented poet, she delves into the complexities of race, gender, displacement, and colonialism through her poetic and analytical writing. Exploring the constraints placed on women's abilities and the pervasive lack of credibility afforded to them, she sheds light on the struggles faced in various societal roles. Pay close attention to the way her poems resonate—they truly come alive when spoken aloud.
WH Auden: Renowned for his exceptional talent in ballad writing, WH Auden stands alongside the likes of Dickinson and Poe as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Among his notable works, "As I walked out one evening", "Friday's Child", "A walk after dark", all hold a special place as his most famous composition. Another gem is "O What is that Sound," and "Eyes look into the well" captivating readers with its brilliance.
Emily Dickinson: Dive into her enchanting poems like "The Soul Selects Her Own Society (303)", "The Brain is wider than the sky", "There's a Certain Slant of Light (258)" and "Because I could not stop for death." These pieces bear a striking resemblance to the haunting beauty of Poe's works.
Annette M'Baye d'Erneville poetry skillfully weaves irony and tone, making her a master. I highly recommend delving into his works such as "The copper and silver ring," "From the artist’s sketchbook," “Nostalgie,” and "The elderly hunter's Christmas."
Philip Larkin: Don't miss out on his renowned poems, "High Windows", "The Whitsun Weddings", and "Aubade"; Masterpieces. Additionally, "Cut Grass" is another gem that you'll thoroughly enjoy.
Marianne Moore: Within the realm of poetry, "What Are Years" by Marianne Moore holds a special significance for me, particularly its last stanza which I consider one of the finest in all of poetry. Additionally, I have soft spots for "Steeple Jack", "You Say You Said", "Roses Only" and "Black Earth" by Moore.
Kofi Awoonor a talented writer has penned numerous novels, plays, political essays, literary critiques, and several captivating volumes of poetry. Among these remarkable works (my favorites) are Night of My Blood (1971), Rediscovery and Other Poems (1964), The Latin American and Caribbean Notebook (1992), and Ride Me, Memory (1973).
Check out William Carlos Williams' works including “Imaginations (New Directions, 1970),” “ The five-volume epic Paterson,” and “Pictures from Brueghel and Other Poems (New Directions, 1962)". Asphodel that Greeny Flower is one of his longer, later works. While Part I is great, make sure to explore the entire poem from the library to discover Part II where he reflects on death, the atomic bomb, and the significance of poetry.
There are many more, but, I will stop here. I hope everything I've written isn't too overwhelming. It's meant to be a "here's something you can explore in your free time" kind of thing. Don't be intimidated by poetry, just enjoy it. Listen to the melodies, let the rhymes bounce off each other, let the vivid imagery swirl in your mind, and engage with the ideas.
If you like them, keep delving deeper and see where they take you. If you don't, don't waste time pondering what TS Eliot "truly means" when he says "I will show you fear in a handful of dust." Instead, appreciate the line and the eerie image it creates, then move on to something else. You can always come back and analyze it later, as poetry is meant to be read multiple times.
Don't view poetry as a barrier, hiding the meaning that poets or professors are trying to keep from you—we're not. Instead, savor the joy of reading poetry, because there's nothing quite like it—the language is rich and often beautiful, the sounds are mesmerizing, and the imagery is top-notch.
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