It Doesn’t Have to Rhyme to Be a Poem
This is supposed to be a normal article of a moderate length, so there is no way that I’m starting with “what IS poetry?”. Frankly, we don’t have that kind of time.
I am a black-and-white thinker, not great at interpreting the moods or feelings of others on paper. That’s why poetry is a great fit for me as a reader because it is adaptable and so open to interpretation that it is basically impossible to be “bad” at it or “wrong” about it. Because it can be so nebulous, poetry really can fit into anyone’s life: a verse or two over your coffee to start your day, maybe a poetic affirmation around lunch time to get you through the back half of your shift. A few lines before bed can give you something to meditate on as you drift off to sleep. The point is that poetry is as flexible as you need it to be.
It can also be intimidating! Not all poets are out here smoking French cigarettes and lurking in coffee shops…but some of them are. If you are ready to begin your journey into the vast genre that is poetry start here, where you can download FREE guides, printable journals, and more to help you stay grounded vs. overwhelmed by all of the resources out there. If you are a lapsed poetry reader, these titles are a great way for you to mosey back into the space.
It is tough to bucket some of these, so instead of categories I’ve listed them in no particular order.
You Better Be Lightning – Andrea Gibson
Andrea Gibson (they/them) focuses on social reform and LGBTQIA in their exceptional works of poetry. Our favorite Gibson title is You Better Be Lightning, but you can’t go wrong with any of their books. Learn more about this Colorado Poet Laureate in this article, it is a quick read and will give you a great jumping-off point!
Nursery Rhymes in Black: Poems – Latorial Faison
Nursery Rhymes in Black: Poems by author Latorial Faison is a tribute to our ancestors and the people that make each of us who we are. This collection of poems focuses on race, culture, and identity, particularly from the Black woman’s experience. Faison urges her readers to stand up and speak out!
Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death – Yoel Hoffmann
Japanese Death Poems is a much more uplifting read than the title might suggest. Each entry was penned by monks or haiku poets and was called “pithy” and “often hilarious” by The Buddhist Review. A century-old tradition is for people to write a jisei (or “death poem), often during the last moment of the poet’s life. This book, curated by Yoel Hoffman, includes 320 haiku in translated English and Japanese. Don’t miss this insightful look at life, love, and loss.
Poems & Prayers – Matthew McConaughey
Greenlights – Matthew McConaughey
We were absolutely blown away by Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey! We loved Greenlights (USA today called it the “number one celebrity memoir of the past 10 years), but this is an emotional journey on a whole new level. Sometimes funny but always personal and inspirational, McConaughey has really shared his soul in this book. It’s way more “driving a car in a commercial” vibe versus “alright alright alright.”
“I’ve been finding that tougher to do lately. It’s more than hard to know what to believe in; it’s hard to believe.”
New and Selected Poems, Volume One – Mary Oliver
If you say the word “poet” in a crowded room, Mary Oliver will be one of the first people that will come to mind for a lot of folks. She received the National Book Award for New and Selected Poems, Volume One, and in the years since, it has become one of the best-selling volumes of poetry in the country. “The Summer Day” contains one of her most famous lines, do you recognize this one?
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?”
Poems of Parenting – Loryn Brantz
Modern parenting can feel…overwhelming. A lot of stuff happens between snuggling a newborn and trying to keep tabs on a teenager, and Loryn Brantz’s Poems of Parenting is a must-have at whichever stage you may find yourself! It is also an excellent shower gift, the “radically honest” poems really let prospective parents know what is coming down the pike.
By the way, little infinite (or the LI Squad, as we obviously refer to ourselves) knows that every person’s unique voice can be better amplified by the possibility of prizes! Whether you are a newbie or an experienced poetry lover, don’t miss out on any of our upcoming poetry writing contests listed here. We won’t pressure you to enter, but we would love to be able to count your votes!
