Ever the storyteller, it’s no wonder why Zach Bryan has expressed love for some of our favorite poets.

One listen to any of his hits and you can hear thoughts on nature, love, and loss woven throughout quick-witted symbolism and captivating allegories. So it should come as no surprise we have a list of poetry for your favorite Zach Bryan songs.  ZB has even stated poets such as Mary Oliver and Charles Bukowski have been strong influences for his work. With Oliver’s love of the natural world and Bukowski’s keen, critical eye analyzing the human condition, their poetic impact on Bryan’s lyrics is unmistakable. 

The lines between lyrics and poetry lines blur so frequently in his music, Bryan’s almost as much a poet as he is a musician. And we are absolutely here for it at li! Let’s blur the lines a little bit more by discovering poetry to match your favorite Zach Bryan tracks. 

Below, poetry from Mary Oliver and Charles Bukowski you’ll like if you’re a fan of Zach’s, like we are! For an added surprise, we’ve included one of the most well-loved poets of all time, Walt Whitman. Whitman’s adoration for the everyday mirrors Bryan’s lyrics, leaving both men relatable storytellers, lining their works with themes of community, vulnerability and self-discovery we can all understand.

Poetry for your Favorite Zach Bryan Songs:

Mary Oliver

“Late July” + “The Summer Day” 

Besides their clear appreciation of summer, Oliver shines a light on the beauty of the small moments just as Bryan does. Each writer dives deeper into the wonder within fleeting moments with simple and honest words.

“Something In The Orange” + “Song for Autumn”

Knowing that a story is far from over is a sensation so powerful it can provide the hope we need to carry on, even through the most ambiguous of times– just as Bryan and Oliver refer to in their autumnal works.

Charles Bukowski

“From Austin” + “Bluebird”

“From Austin” is a ballad of heartache, honesty and radical vulnerability as Bryan addresses the deepest desires of his heart. Bukowski knows these subjects all too well, as is most evident in his poem, “Bluebird”. Here he matches Bryan’s desire for freedom and relief by admitting to the small bird living within himself, dying to fly away freely.

“Dawns (feat. Maggie Rogers)” + “Roll the Dice”

One of the biggest risks we can take in life is to love and love boldly and confidently. Both “Dawns” and “Roll the Dice” remind us that without this risk there’s no possibility of reward. Though the risk may not always pay off, these men remind us that being all in on love is the only way to go.

Walt Whitman

“Oklahoma Smokeshow” + “I Hear America Singing”

Ballads of the classic, small town America experience, each of these explores the voices of people we all know. Those who both make our worlds go round and may also feel confined to the very walls they help stay standing.

“Revival” + “Song of Myself”

Celebrating the journey of self discovery is a recurring theme for both Whitman and Bryan. Zach Bryan’s famous closing song reminds us all of the passion and hope that comes with realizing the power in our own authenticity, a feat Whitman proves to be all too familiar with through his famous poem, “Song of Myself”.