Hey there, poetry lovers! Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? It’s a time when we celebrate the beauty and power of poetry, and honor the poets who create it. Whether you’re a seasoned poetry reader or just starting to dip your toes into the world of verse, there’s never been a better time to explore all the amazing poetry that’s out there.
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a closer look at National Poetry Month and what makes it so special. We’ll explore the importance of reading poetry, and suggest some great books to check out during this special time. So, get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and entertained as we explore the wonderful world of poetry! Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s get started!
Table of Contents
“The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes” by Langston Hughes
If you’re looking for a must-read collection of poetry for National Poetry Month, look no further than “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes” by Langston Hughes. This book is a comprehensive collection of all of Hughes’ published poems, spanning from the 1920s through the 1960s.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
Langston Hughes is considered one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, and his work continues to be celebrated and studied today. His poems explore themes of race, identity, love, and the African American experience in America.
“The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes” is significant not just for its literary merit, but also for its historical importance. Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American art and literature in the 1920s and 1930s. His poems are a powerful reflection of the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans during this time period, and continue to resonate with readers today.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
With so many poems to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start with “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.” Here are just a few notable poems to check out:
- “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”: This iconic poem is one of Hughes’ best-known works, and explores the history and legacy of Black people in America through a metaphor of rivers.
- “Harlem”: This poem is a poignant commentary on the dreams and aspirations of Black Americans, and the ways in which those dreams are often deferred or denied.
- “I, Too”: This powerful poem celebrates the resilience and strength of Black Americans in the face of oppression and injustice, and asserts their rightful place in American society.
C. One poem from the collection
“Mother to Son”
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So, boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps.
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
“The Waste Land and Other Poems” by T.S. Eliot
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking collection of poetry to explore during National Poetry Month, “The Waste Land and Other Poems” by T.S. Eliot is a must-read. This book is a compilation of Eliot’s early poetry, including his famous long poem “The Waste Land.”
A. Summary of the book and its significance
Published in 1922, “The Waste Land” is widely regarded as one of the most important poems of the 20th century. It’s a complex and fragmented work that explores themes of disillusionment, fragmentation, and the search for meaning in a post-World War I world. Eliot’s other poems in this collection also touch on similar themes, but in a more condensed and accessible form.
Eliot’s poetry is often difficult and challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding. He was a master of language and his poems are filled with allusions, metaphors, and rich imagery that invite readers to think deeply and critically about the world around them.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
“The Waste Land” is undoubtedly the most famous and significant poem in this collection, but there are several other notable poems to explore as well. Here are just a few suggestions:
- “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”: This poem is a powerful meditation on aging, love, and the human condition. It’s a masterpiece of modernist poetry and one of Eliot’s most famous works.
- “Gerontion”: This poem is a dense and challenging exploration of the post-World War I world, and the ways in which human beings are alienated from one another and from themselves.
- “The Hollow Men”: This haunting poem is a meditation on the emptiness and despair of modern life. It’s a powerful reflection on the human condition and the search for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its way.
C. One poem from the collection
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”
Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question…
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”
Let us go and make our visit.
“The Essential Rumi” translated by Coleman Barks
If you’re looking for a collection of poetry that’s both beautiful and spiritually enriching, “The Essential Rumi” translated by Coleman Barks is a fantastic choice. This book contains a selection of poems by the 13th-century Persian poet Jalaluddin Rumi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest mystical poets in the world.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
Rumi’s poetry is known for its mystical and spiritual themes, which explore the nature of love, the human condition, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. His poems are deeply moving and powerful, and they offer readers a unique perspective on the world and our place in it.
Coleman Barks’ translation of Rumi’s poems is widely regarded as one of the best available. Barks brings a contemporary voice and sensibility to Rumi’s work, making it accessible and engaging for modern readers.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
There are many wonderful poems to explore in “The Essential Rumi,” but here are a few notable selections:
- “The Guest House”: This poem is a powerful meditation on the idea of welcoming and embracing all of life’s experiences, both good and bad.
- “The Sufi Way”: In this poem, Rumi explores the idea of the spiritual journey and the importance of surrendering to the divine.
- “Only Breath”: This short but powerful poem is a reminder of the fragility and transience of life, and the importance of cherishing every moment.
C. One poem from the collection
“The Breeze at Dawn”
“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep!
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep!
People are going back and forth
across the doorsill where the two worlds touch,
The door is round and open
Don’t go back to sleep!”
“Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman
“Leaves of Grass” is a collection of poems by Walt Whitman, first published in 1855. The collection is notable for its celebration of democracy, nature, and the individual, and is considered a landmark work in American literature.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
Whitman’s poetry is known for its free verse style and its celebration of the beauty of the everyday world. His poems often explore themes of love, nature, and the human experience, and are characterized by their emotional intensity and the depth of feeling they convey.
“Leaves of Grass” was a revolutionary work when it was first published, and it continues to inspire and challenge readers today. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in American literature or the power of poetry to illuminate the human experience.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
“Leaves of Grass” is a long and diverse collection, but here are a few notable poems to get you started:
- “Song of Myself”: This is one of Whitman’s most famous and ambitious poems, and it’s a celebration of the individual and the interconnectedness of all things.
- “I Sing the Body Electric”: In this poem, Whitman celebrates the beauty and vitality of the human body.
- “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer”: This short but powerful poem is a critique of the limits of scientific knowledge and a celebration of the mysteries of the natural world.
C. One poem from the collection
“O Captain! My Captain!
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.”
“The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson” by Emily Dickinson
“The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson” is an essential work for anyone interested in American poetry or the art of writing.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
“The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson” is a collection of poetry by the enigmatic American poet Emily Dickinson. Though she lived a relatively isolated life and only a few of her poems were published during her lifetime, Dickinson is now recognized as one of the greatest poets in American literature.
Dickinson’s poems are known for their sparse, almost cryptic language and their exploration of themes like nature, death, and the soul. Her poetry is often deeply introspective and can be both unsettling and profound.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
Here are a few notable poems to explore from “The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson”:
- “Because I could not stop for Death”: In this haunting poem, Dickinson personifies Death as a gentleman caller who takes her on a carriage ride through her life.
- “Hope is the thing with feathers”: This short but powerful poem is a meditation on the power of hope to sustain us through difficult times.
- “I heard a Fly buzz – when I died”: This eerie poem explores the experience of death and the finality of life.
C. One poem from the collection
“I’m Nobody”
“I’m Nobody! Who are you?
I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there’s a pair of us!
Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know!
How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one’s name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!”
“Ariel” by Sylvia Plath
If you’re looking for a collection of poetry that’s both beautiful and spiritually enriching, “Ariel” is a powerful and moving collection of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
“Ariel” is a collection of poetry by the American poet Sylvia Plath, published posthumously in 1965. The poems in this collection are known for their raw emotion and vivid imagery, and are widely regarded as some of Plath’s best work.
“Ariel” is significant not only for the quality of the poetry it contains, but also for the way it provides insight into Plath’s personal life and struggles with mental illness. Many of the poems deal with themes of death, self-discovery, and the search for meaning in life.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
Here are a few notable poems from “Ariel” that are worth checking out:
- “Daddy”: This highly controversial and deeply personal poem explores Plath’s complex relationship with her father and her struggle to come to terms with his death.
- “Lady Lazarus”: In this dark and powerful poem, Plath imagines herself as a woman who has repeatedly attempted suicide and been brought back to life, like the biblical figure Lazarus.
- “Tulips”: This beautiful and evocative poem is a meditation on the role of beauty in our lives and the tension between the desire for solitude and the need for connection.
C. One poem from the collection
“Edge”
The woman is perfected.
Her dead
Body wears the smile of accomplishment,
The illusion of a Greek necessity
Flows in the scrolls of her toga,
Her bare
Feet seem to be saying:
We have come so far, it is over.
Each dead child coiled, a white serpent,
One at each little
Pitcher of milk, now empty
She has folded
Them back into her body as petals
Of a rose close when the garden
Stiffens and odors bleed
From the sweet, deep throats of the night flower.
The moon has nothing to be sad about,
Staring from her hood of bone.
She is used to this sort of thing.
Her blacks crackle and drag.
“The Selected Poems of Li Po” translated by David Hinton
A. Summary of the book and its significance
“The Selected Poems of Li Po” is a collection of poems written by Li Po, one of the most renowned poets in Chinese history. The poems in this collection are translated into English by David Hinton, allowing a wider audience to appreciate the beauty and depth of Li Po’s work. Li Po was known for his vivid imagery, philosophical insights, and his ability to capture the essence of nature in his poetry. His work has influenced countless poets, both in China and around the world.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
- “Drinking Alone by Moonlight”
- “Quiet Night Thoughts”
- “In the Mountains on a Summer Day”
- “Ballad of the Army Carts”
- “Taking Leave of a Friend”
C. One poem from the collection
Quiet Night Thoughts
Before my bed, the bright moonlight,
With frost on the ground below;
I look up to the moon so bright,
And wish myself home, I know.
Beside the bed, a jug of wine,
And in the sky, a wandering bird;
The bird looks down, my wine to see,
And I drink to him, wordless and stirred.
The moon is like a perfect pearl,
The sky a sea of midnight blue;
The things I see are few and far between,
But all inspire my thoughts anew.
“The Poetry of Pablo Neruda” edited by Ilan Stavans
If you’re looking for a powerful and moving collection of poetry to read during National Poetry Month, “The Poetry of Pablo Neruda” edited by Ilan Stavans is an excellent choice.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
This book brings together some of Neruda’s most celebrated works, spanning his entire career as a poet. Neruda is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and his work has been translated into dozens of languages around the world. His poetry explores themes of love, politics, nature, and the human condition, and his use of language is both accessible and profound. This collection is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, and it is sure to leave a lasting impact on readers.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
There are so many incredible poems to choose from in this collection, but here are a few that are definitely worth reading:
- “Tonight I Can Write” – This is one of Neruda’s most famous and beloved poems. It’s a heartbreaking reflection on lost love, and it showcases Neruda’s ability to evoke powerful emotions through his words.
- “Ode to a Lemon” – This poem is a beautiful celebration of a simple, everyday object. Neruda’s ability to find beauty in the ordinary is on full display here.
- “If You Forget Me” – In this poem, Neruda expresses his fear of being forgotten by his beloved. It’s a poignant and moving exploration of love and loss.
C. Write one poem from the collection
“Keeping Quiet”
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the earth,
let’s not speak in any language;
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
“The Complete Poems of Elizabeth Bishop” by Elizabeth Bishop
Looking for a great poetry collection to read during National Poetry Month? “The Complete Poems of Elizabeth Bishop” is an excellent choice.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
Elizabeth Bishop is widely regarded as one of the greatest American poets of the 20th century, and her work has had a profound impact on the literary world. Her poems are known for their vivid imagery, precise language, and emotional depth. This collection brings together all of Bishop’s poems, including many that were previously unpublished, offering readers a comprehensive look at her life’s work. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Bishop’s poetry or you’re just discovering her work for the first time, this collection is sure to impress.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
There are so many incredible poems to choose from in this collection, but here are a few that I would highly recommend:
- “One Art” – This is perhaps Bishop’s most famous poem, and it’s a stunning meditation on the inevitability of loss. The poem is deceptively simple in its structure, but its emotional impact is profound.
- “The Fish” – In this poem, Bishop describes the experience of catching and releasing a fish in vivid detail. The poem is a beautiful celebration of the natural world, and it showcases Bishop’s talent for capturing the small moments that make life meaningful.
- “At the Fishhouses” – This poem is a haunting exploration of memory and identity. Bishop describes a visit to a group of fishhouses in Massachusetts, and her observations are both deeply personal and universal.
C. One poem from the collection
“Questions of Travel”
There are too many waterfalls here; the crowded streams
hurry too rapidly down to the sea,
and the pressure of so many clouds on the mountaintops
makes them spill over the sides in soft slow-motion,
turning to waterfalls under our very eyes.
—For if those streaks, those mile-long, shiny, tearstains,
aren’t waterfalls yet,
in a quick age or so, as ages go here,
they probably will be.
But if the streams and clouds keep travelling, travelling,
the mountains look like the hulls of capsized ships,
slime-hung and barnacled.
Think of the long trip home.
Where should we be today?
in this strangest of theatres?
What childishness is it that while there’s a breath of life
in our bodies, we are determined to rush
to see the sun the other way around?
The tiniest green hummingbird in the world?
To stare at some inexplicable old stonework,
inexplicable and impenetrable,
at any view,
instantly seen and always, always delightful?
Oh, must we dream our dreams
and have them, too?
And have we room
for one more folded sunset, still quite warm?
But surely it would have been a pity
not to have seen the trees along this road,
really exaggerated in their beauty,
not to have seen them gesturing
like noble pantomimists, robed in pink.
—Not to have had to stop for gas and heard
the sad, two-noted, wooden tune
of disparate wooden clogs
carelessly clacking over
a grease-stained filling-station floor.
“The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, and Issa” edited by Robert Hass
If you’re a fan of poetry and looking for a great book to read during National Poetry Month, “The Essential Haiku” edited by Robert Hass is a must-read.
A. Summary of the book and its significance
This collection brings together some of the most famous haiku poems ever written by three of Japan’s greatest poets: Basho, Buson, and Issa. Haiku is a form of poetry that originated in Japan and is known for its simple, evocative language and focus on the natural world. In this collection, you’ll find dozens of haiku poems that capture the beauty and wonder of nature, as well as the complexity of the human experience. Whether you’re new to haiku or a longtime fan of the form, “The Essential Haiku” is a book you won’t want to miss.
B. Notable poems to read from the collection
Here are a few haiku poems from “The Essential Haiku” that are definitely worth reading:
- Basho’s “The Old Pond” – This is perhaps the most famous haiku poem ever written. It goes like this: “An old pond / a frog jumps in / the sound of water.” It’s a simple yet powerful poem that captures the essence of haiku.
- Buson’s “Winter solitude” – This poem goes like this: “Winter solitude- / in a world of one color / the sound of wind.” It’s a hauntingly beautiful poem that speaks to the loneliness and isolation that can come with winter.
- Issa’s “The Dewdrop” – This poem goes like this: “The dewdrop / a world of struggle / in a single drop.” It’s a thought-provoking poem that reminds us of the complexity and interconnectedness of all things.
C. One poem from the collection
“Temple bells die out”
Temple bells die out.
The fragrant blossoms remain.
A perfect evening!
Conclusion
In conclusion, National Poetry Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the beauty and power of poetry. Whether you’re a lifelong poetry lover or a newcomer to the form, there are plenty of great books to read and poets to discover. From the vivid imagery of Pablo Neruda to the haunting simplicity of haiku, there’s a world of poetry out there waiting to be explored.
If you’re looking for more great poetry to read during National Poetry Month, here are a few other collections you might enjoy:
- “Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman
- “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes” edited by Arnold Rampersad
- “The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson” edited by Thomas H. Johnson
So why not make the most of National Poetry Month and dive into a new collection of poetry? Who knows – you may just discover your new favorite poet or poem. Happy reading!
