The Top 5 Poets to Follow in April
April is poetry month so, while you are stuck at home, why not read some poetry? Here are 5 poets who have written interesting poems published online, making it easy for anyone, especially teenagers, to access. These poems each have different techniques, themes, and stories to share with their readers. So while everyone is in quarantine, these poems are great ways to stay entertained.
The first poet on the list is Margarita Engle, who bases much of her work on her childhood. Born on September 2nd, 1951, Engle reflects on the times from her childhood when she longed to visit her home of Cuba, but could not due to the United States’ travel restrictions. This is seen in poems like “Counting” and “Kinship”, which focus on Engle’s desire to travel. Her poems are short, but detailed, having a lasting impression on readers with simple diction and multiple points of views. Engle’s work has been published in many books and Engle has won multiple awards for her poetry and novels over the years. Her poems are easy to read, but give readers an idea of how it feels to long for the freedom to return home.
The second poet featured is Louis MacNeice, born on September 12th, 1907. MacNeice is well-known for having poems with intense imagery based on his life experiences. MacNeice’s works often reflect on the simple days of his life, but include meaningful themes. Poems like “Prognosis” and “I Am That I Am” are some examples of McNeice’s work that show how much life can change over the years.
The third poet is Francisco X. Alarcon. Born February 21st, 1954, Alarcon’s poems are based on many things, like American culture, different languages, and even mythology. One of the most unique factors of his poems is that there are little to no lines, and his stanzas are often composed of a single word. Combined with line breaks, Alarcon’s poems cover a variety of subjects with similar sounds. If you are looking for poems that focus on modern topics that may be relatable to you, then Alarcon’s poems are highly recommended.
The fourth poet is Nikki Giovanni, whose poems are based on real world events of the 1960s and early 70s. Born in the early 1940s, Giovanni witnessed a variety of historic events and her poems are based on these events and people like Rosa Parks and Robert F. Kennedy. Giovanni also focused on the struggles of her childhood, often relating to black history in America. Giovanni’s poems are powerful, featuring vivid detail and narratives relating to real life. If you want poems that relate to history and incorporate firsthand accounts, Giovanni’s poems are a must.
The final poet is Pat Mora. Mora’s work is more cheerful and upbeat, as not only is she a poet, but a speaker as well. Her poems feature stories of adventure and overcoming common troubles in life. Poems like “Ode to Teachers” and “Fences” are calming pieces that don’t focus on heavy subjects or themes. If you are into more relaxing or positive pieces, then Pat Mora’s poems are perfect for you.
All of the poets mentioned above discuss various elements of life that can apply to anyone. Poetry is something that can be complex in a short amount of words or lines. It can be easier to read multiple poems then to read one huge book. So while in quarantine, you can always look out for poets like the ones mentioned here to explore the meaning of poetry through different writers.
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