I’m thinking of upping my new poetry reading in 2026. And I was wondering if anyone had any recs, please. I’m pretty good on pre-20th century English poets, but I’m weak on American poets (aside from Edna St. Vincent Millay and Mary Oliver) and most post-WWI poetry. I’d love to expand my range a bit. I’m afraid I’m monolingual. At least, I’m not good enough in any other language to really appreciate the poetry, even if I can order a vin blanc or kaffee mit schlag. But I’m open to especially good translations.
River: I know you have questions. Mal: That would be why I just asked them.
'Objects In Space'
Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Calli - Dec 31, 2025 11:09:08 am PST #28521 of 28558
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
dcp - Dec 31, 2025 1:48:47 pm PST #28522 of 28558
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
Robert Service? Don Marquis? Guy Wetmore Carryl?
I never much liked Robert Frost or Carl Sandburg, but I think that is because we were forced to study them in high school.
When I try to think of more modern poetry, I keep coming up with song lyrics. Woodie Guthrie. Simon & Garfunkel. Jimmy Buffet. John Prine. Jim Croce. Joan Baez. Carole King.
DavidS - Dec 31, 2025 2:59:57 pm PST #28523 of 28558
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I’m thinking of upping my new poetry reading in 2026. And I was wondering if anyone had any recs, please.
I just suggested Marianne Moore and Elizabeth Bishop (with links) on the year-end thread.
erikaj - Jan 01, 2026 11:51:48 am PST #28524 of 28558
"already on the kiss-cam with Karl Marx"-
Adrienne Rich is good. And I do think some lyrics count.
Calli - Jan 01, 2026 4:17:58 pm PST #28525 of 28558
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
I read a couple of Marianne Moore’s poems today. She’s good. I can see some influences from her to Mary Oliver.
Even better, I found a daily poem subscription at the Poetry Foundation, which should help a lot with my resolution.
Kate P. - Jan 01, 2026 4:19:50 pm PST #28526 of 28558
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
I like Sharon Olds and Marie Howe.
Pix - Jan 01, 2026 5:33:41 pm PST #28527 of 28558
The status is NOT quo.
All of these recs and also Mary Oliver, always.
Calli - Jan 02, 2026 12:08:31 pm PST #28528 of 28558
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
Thanks for the recs!
Beverly - Jan 02, 2026 9:15:49 pm PST #28529 of 28558
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.
Calli, Jane Kenyon, Li Young Lee, are the first two that come to mind. Kenyon got me through some dark times.
aurelia - Jan 02, 2026 9:39:36 pm PST #28530 of 28558
All sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story. Tell me a story.
I've been keeping short story anthologies and poetry at the bedside to keep myself from either reading all night or training myself to fall asleep when I read. Which is to say I'm currently reading the poetry anthology This Is The Honey.