I’m not sure why I first started reading memoirs by major poetic figures, but I recently read two that struck me as particularly significant in the development and history of what we consider contemporary poetry.
Essays: Benjamin Myers Takes on Ambiguity and Belonging
In “Ambiguity & Belonging,” poet Benjamin Myers has assembled a collection of essays about place, education, and poetry.
Poets and Poems: Louis MacNeice and “Autumn Journal”
Published in the spring of 1939, “Autumn Journal” by poet Louis MacNeice captured the spirit of the era – and the change coming.
What Remains: The Collected Poems of Hannah Arendt
“What Remains: The Collected Poems of Hannah Arendt” gathers the 70 often moving poems philosopher Arendt wrote from 1923 to 1962.
The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien
“The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien,’ edited by by Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond, are a serious work of Tolkien scholarship.
Poets and Poems: Luke Harvey and “Let’s Call It Home”
In “Let’s Call It Home,” poet Luke Harvey explores and demonstrates the tenderness of a father towards his young children.
Epigrams and Epitaphs: Martin Armstrong and “Fifty-Four Conceits”
“Fifty-Four Conceits,” published by Martin Armstrong in 1933, is a collection of epitaphs and epigrams that still have meaning.
Poets and Poems: Michael Favala Goldman and “Destinations”
In “Destinations: Poems,” Michael Favala Goldman uses simple language to describe the brokenness in relationships.
Reading Poets’ First Collections: Hedy Habra and Andrew Calis
The first collections of poets Hedy Habra and Andrew Calis both take you to a different place and make you see in a different light.
Poets and Poems: Andrew Calis and “Which Seeds Will Grow?”
In “Which Seeds Will Grow?”, poet Andrew Calis looks beyond human understanding to find hope in a hopeless land.
Poets and Poems: Gillian Allnutt and “wake”
Gillian Alllnutt’s most recent poetry collection “wake” focuses upon English scenes, English history, and spiritual concerns.
Poets and Poems: Claude Wilkinson and “Soon Done with the Crosses”
In “Soon Done with the Crosses,” poet Claude Wilkinson explores the burdens we humans carry, as he looks to the natural world for meaning.
Poets and Poems: Megan Willome and “Love and other Mysteries”
The poems of “Love & other Mysteries” by Megan Willome look for the sacredness and mystery in life – and find it.
Poets and Poems: Karla Van Vliet and Asemic Writing, Poetry
In “Bone Scribed” and “Wildwood Devotions,” Karla Van Vliet combines asemic art, writing, and poetry into a cohesive whole.
Poets and Poems: Wendy Wisner and “The New Life”
In “The New Life: Poems,” Wendy Wisner describes just how much death, including a child’s death, is a part of life.
Poets and Poems: Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and “The Unfolding”
In “The Unfolding: Poems,” Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer explores grief associated with death and finds hope and praise.
Poets and Poems: Catherine Abbey Hodges and “Empty Me Full”
The poems of “Empty Me Full” by Catherine Abbey Hodges move you, almost dreamlike, to considering the big questions of life.
“The Colour Out of Space” by H.P. Lovecraft and Sara Barkat
Using a graphic novel format, Sara Barkat has turned H.P. Lovecraft’s horror classic “The Colour Out of Space” into a classic of its own.
Poets and Poems: Robert McDowell and “Sweet Wolf”
“Sweet Wolf: Selected & New Poems” demonstrates the power of a good story, and Robert McDowell’s ability to tell one.
Marjorie Maddox Hafer: Poetry, Art, and Spelling
In two new poetry collections, Marjorie Maddox Hafer explores the relationship between poetry and art, and poetry and spelling.