Though I read everything from memoirs to romantasy, there is one genre in particular that haunted me for a long time: poetry. In my sophomore year of college, I took a creative writing class and was horrified to discover I had inadvertently signed up for a poetry seminar. I considered dropping, but in an effort to Not Run Away from Hard Things, I stuck it out and discovered a new love. Poetry is not (as I thought) highbrow and inaccessible–it really is for everyone! If you’re looking to explore the genre, I have a few suggestions on where to get started.
All-American Poem by Matthew Dickman
Dickman has an accessible style, with poems that feature human relationships, rich images, and pop culture references. He immerses his audience in a world they’re familiar with, drawing in even the most reluctant poetry reader.
Favorite poem: “Slow Dance”
frank: sonnets by Diane Seuss
This collection is such an interesting exploration in pushing the boundaries of poetry. Seuss challenged herself to write exclusively in the sonnet form: 14-line poems in iambic pentameter. Sonnets are not only for Shakespeare, and Seuss’s clever wordplay and intricate rhythms will have you wanting to read her work again and again.
Favorite poem: “[The famous poets came for us]”
Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong
This is only my second article for the site and it, too, features Ocean Vuong! Can you tell I’m a fan? Vuong is a gay Vietnamese American poet and he uses his singular poetic voice to parse his personal history. I can’t emphasize enough how beautiful and inventive his use of language is.
Favorite poem: “Old Glory”
These are just a few books to get you started! If you like these suggestions, check out the works of Morgan Parker, Mary Oliver, D.A. Powell, and Rudy Francisco as well. Happy reading!