Ooh a few here I hadn't heard of, thank you. Big poetry fan over here. Completely agree with what you (and lots of others in the comments) say, that reading poetry changes the way you read full stop.
Who are some of your favorite poets? Or better yet, is there a particular book you can recommend?
I'm a fiction writer and I can't believe it took until now -- 38 years old! -- to truly understand why poetry is so important and beneficial. Better late than never, right?! Thank you for reading!
I always like anthologies so you get a feel for lots of styles. I loved Set me on Fire, edited by Ella Risbridger, full of ALL the feelings. Oh hang on I might have done a post on anthologies. I do a poetry book club too over on my substack which might be helpful x
Hi Jack! I wanted to thank you for this recommendation. I got it from the library and read it before I even left the premises. What a beautiful, beautiful piece of art. Thank you!
I love poetry and look forward to reading these books. Richard Blanco, Looking for the Gulf Motel, is one of my favorites. Poetry Unbound substack and podcast addresses it beautifully. As always, thank you for sharing.
MELISSA 😭 Thank you so much. This was a post I thought nobody would really read, so your words light me up SO much. You definitely have that gift, adding beautiful energy wherever you go ✨
I have published four books of poetry and spent many elated hours reading, but not for a long time. For several years now, since I was writing a novel, then beginning to write my Substack, I stopped reading poetry. Thank you for bringing me back. I learned years ago that reading poetry teaches you how to read. How to read everything really. The close reading it requires changes how you read, period. It also slows the mind in a way opposite to prose, often. Slowing down again. Thanks.
That's such a great explanation of why poetry is so beneficial. I hadn't thought about it that way. Now that you say it, I want to make poetry a bigger part of my regular reading. Thank you!
I'm a poetry reader and writer. Currently I am inspired to write in classes I take with a local poet/teacher. It's through the university's extended learning campus. The people in these classes have been together for years, while I'm a relative newcomer. The poetry they write inspires me as does the work of other poets the instructor brings to class! The poetry I'm reading lately that I keep returning to is Instructions for Traveling West by Joy Sullivan. I also find the poetry by Danusha Lamaris full of rich images, thought, words.
I think the power of poetry is so undervalued for readers — so glad you were able to dive in & FEEL! That’s one of the beauties of poetry — it elicits emotions in a way that other forms of writing can’t do as easily. I definitely draw on emotions much more heavily in my writing poetry than fiction or essays.
I felt so many things in such a short time. It's incredible how powerful words can be, particularly when they are condensed into poetry! I can see how you'd pack the emotions into the poetry. I'm sure that helps with your essay and fiction writing too!
Do you have any favorite poets or poems to share?!
Wonderful, thank you! I met Maggie Smith at AWP last year but have never read her. I don’t know why, I know I’ll love her work! Going to look into these now, appreciate it!
Ooh a few here I hadn't heard of, thank you. Big poetry fan over here. Completely agree with what you (and lots of others in the comments) say, that reading poetry changes the way you read full stop.
Who are some of your favorite poets? Or better yet, is there a particular book you can recommend?
I'm a fiction writer and I can't believe it took until now -- 38 years old! -- to truly understand why poetry is so important and beneficial. Better late than never, right?! Thank you for reading!
https://open.substack.com/pub/poetrypals/p/five-anthology-recommendations?r=zi0qp&utm_medium=ios
I always like anthologies so you get a feel for lots of styles. I loved Set me on Fire, edited by Ella Risbridger, full of ALL the feelings. Oh hang on I might have done a post on anthologies. I do a poetry book club too over on my substack which might be helpful x
This is so helpful, thank you! Checking it all out now. Super grateful for your recommendations!
Washing My Mother’s Body by Joy Harjo
Hi Jack! I wanted to thank you for this recommendation. I got it from the library and read it before I even left the premises. What a beautiful, beautiful piece of art. Thank you!
Oh wow. I just looked it up and it sounds amazing. I requested it from my local library! Thank you!
I love poetry and look forward to reading these books. Richard Blanco, Looking for the Gulf Motel, is one of my favorites. Poetry Unbound substack and podcast addresses it beautifully. As always, thank you for sharing.
A poetry Substack — that’s what I need! I just requested Looking for the Gulf Motel from the library. Thank you!
Another great post! You are always an inspiration.
MELISSA 😭 Thank you so much. This was a post I thought nobody would really read, so your words light me up SO much. You definitely have that gift, adding beautiful energy wherever you go ✨
Aw! Just telling the truth. You are amazing at highlighting the subtle shifts in words and making me see them in a new light. ✨
🫶🏽🫶🏽
I have published four books of poetry and spent many elated hours reading, but not for a long time. For several years now, since I was writing a novel, then beginning to write my Substack, I stopped reading poetry. Thank you for bringing me back. I learned years ago that reading poetry teaches you how to read. How to read everything really. The close reading it requires changes how you read, period. It also slows the mind in a way opposite to prose, often. Slowing down again. Thanks.
That's such a great explanation of why poetry is so beneficial. I hadn't thought about it that way. Now that you say it, I want to make poetry a bigger part of my regular reading. Thank you!
I've just gotten into poetry and can't believe it took so long!
Like where have we been?!
I'm a poetry reader and writer. Currently I am inspired to write in classes I take with a local poet/teacher. It's through the university's extended learning campus. The people in these classes have been together for years, while I'm a relative newcomer. The poetry they write inspires me as does the work of other poets the instructor brings to class! The poetry I'm reading lately that I keep returning to is Instructions for Traveling West by Joy Sullivan. I also find the poetry by Danusha Lamaris full of rich images, thought, words.
That class sounds so lovely. I might look around to see if there are any like that around me!
Looking into Instructions for Traveling West and Danusha Lamaris now. Thank you!
I think the power of poetry is so undervalued for readers — so glad you were able to dive in & FEEL! That’s one of the beauties of poetry — it elicits emotions in a way that other forms of writing can’t do as easily. I definitely draw on emotions much more heavily in my writing poetry than fiction or essays.
I felt so many things in such a short time. It's incredible how powerful words can be, particularly when they are condensed into poetry! I can see how you'd pack the emotions into the poetry. I'm sure that helps with your essay and fiction writing too!
Do you have any favorite poets or poems to share?!
Yes!! Some favorite poets are Natalie Diaz, Maggie Smith, and Safia Elhillo.
Wonderful, thank you! I met Maggie Smith at AWP last year but have never read her. I don’t know why, I know I’ll love her work! Going to look into these now, appreciate it!
Oh, you should read her memoir too — it’s not poetry but it’s definitely a poet writing prose, which is one of my favorite niche genres haha
Oh for SURE!! I can’t resist poetic prose. She’s a midwestern mom like myself, I know I’ll love it. Thank you!