April 15, 2021 | Devin Cook
National Poetry Month: What to Read
In 1996, the Academy of American Poets established National Poetry Month in April, with the goal to encourage more people to read poetry and highlight the achievements of American poets and poets around the world.
Want some new poetry recommendations? Here’s some recommendations for poetry published in the last two years. Some of these titles can be checked out digitally, and others you can place a hold and pick up at the library later!
- African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle & Song edited by Kevin Young
- The Gospel of Breaking by Jillian Christmas
- Homie by Danez Smith
- I Hope You Stay by Courtney Peppernell
- Junebat by John Elizabeth Stintzi
- Love and Other Poems by Alex Dimitrov
- Obit by Victoria Chang
- On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
- Pale Colors in a Tall Field by Carl Phillips
- Popular Longing by Natalie Shapero
- Shine Your Icy Crown by Amanda Lovelace
- Soft Science by Franny Choi
- Stay Safe by Emma Hines
- Swimming Lessons by Lili Reinhart
- The Tradition by Jericho Brown
- Wicked Enchantment by Wanda Coleman
If you’re looking for some more “classic” poetry rather than contemporary, check out these poets below.
- Maya Angelou
- Sandra Cisneros
- e. e. cummings
- Emily Dickinson
- Robert Frost
- Louise Glück
- Joy Harjo
- Langston Hughes
- Audre Lorde
- Mary Oliver
- Pablo Neruda
- Sonia Sanchez
- Sappho
- Walt Whitman
Here’s some poetry activities for kids!
We hope National Poetry Month inspires you to incorporate some more poetry into your lives!
