This month is National Poetry Month!
To celebrate, I’m posting one poem (or extract) a day on my quotes tumblr. I know a number of people don’t like or use tumblr, but I’m giving it a try. I’m enjoying the challenge to review my favorite poems and find ones that resonate with me.I’m focusing on classic poetry this year.
It’s also prompting me to read more poetry of all kinds. Poets to read more in depth this year:
- Anne Bradstreet
- Maybe: Tennyson, Wordsworth, and Blake
Any other public domain poets I should look at this year? I have a lot of anthologies (one for Victorian poetry, two for Romantic poetry, One for Imagist poetry, and a few with lots of all kinds), so I may just dabble here and there. I’ll try to have one poetry post a month.
Poets.org also provides a poem a day.
My inaugural issue of the Rebecca Reads Newsletter is all about poetry. It will go out on Wednesday, so sign up before then if you want to receive it. (I apologize for the bit of confusion that first day when I had to close sign up temporarily. I changed email list providers and I’m much happier now. I still have your emails if you signed up before Saturday, though, so no worries! You’ll still receive the first newsletter.)
Finally, just a reminder that Wednesday night I’ll chose the winner of my giveaway for Ghosts.
How are you celebrating poetry month?
Thank you for bringing poetry to the forefront of conversation with your post. I am a huge poetry geek and often torture my poor friends by making them listen when I find a new poem that speaks to me. You asked if there were any other poets you should look into this year; I can tell you that two of my favorites are W.B. Yeats (http://www.online-literature.com/yeats/)–especially “Leda and the Swan” and “The Second Coming”; and Kay Ryan (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/kay-ryan)–especially her poem “Blandeur.”
Hooray for National Poetry Month!
Jenni » thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t read either Yeats or Kay Ryan!
My local bookstore is having a 20% off all poetry sale during April, and I’m contemplating celebrating by buying a few of the Anne Carson volumes I’ve been coveting. They’re normally a bit expensive given their slim silhouettes, but I absolutely LOVED Nox and her hybrid Oresteia translation, and her Sappho translation may be my favorite ever volume of poetry.
Emily » I have Anne Carson’s GRIEF LESSONS, and I can’t wait to read the Sappho. Poetry month is a good excuse for buying books 🙂
This will be my second year celebrating National Poetry Month on my blog. This year I’m doing 21 Days/21 Poems. Each poem will focus on a theme. Looking forward to you celebration as well. Poetry is essential:)
Kinna » I’m enjoying your project!
Maybe I will celebrate National Poetry Month by screaming about CP Cavafy some more. 🙂 As for public-domain poets, hmmm…. You might try Catullus. He is friendly and accessible. The only thing is finding a good English translation. I’ve only ever read his poems in Latin.
Jenny » First recommendation I’ve ever received for Catullus! I think he’s in a “Roman Reader” I own so will have to check it out.