Best Poems and Poetry Books for Beginners
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Are you a Late-Bloomer to Poetry?
I am. As someone who focused on math and science when I was younger, poetry was not really on my radar. I didn't understand much of the poetry I read.
In the past few years, though, I have been introduced to poems that have really touched my heart.
If this is something you can relate to, or you would like to learn more about poetry, please take a look at this list of poets, poetry books, and poems. Feel free to add your favorites too.
Image Credit: Anna Flores Love Poem available on All-Posters
Out beyond ideas of wrong doing
and right doing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
~ Rumi
A Great Place to Start
Ten Poems to Change Your Life by Roger Housden
This is one of the books that really helped me to love poetry.
Housden picks ten easily accessible poems and provides personal reflections on each. According to Amazon, Housden "shows how these astonishing poems can inspire you to live what you always knew in your bones but never had the words for."
"The Journey" by Mary Oliver
"Last Night as I Was Sleeping" by Antonio Machado
"Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman
"Zero Circle" by Rumi
"The Time Before Death" by Kabir
"Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda
"Last Gods" by Galway Kinnell
"For the Anniversary of My Death" by W. S. Merwin
"Love After Love" by Derek Walcott
"The Dark Night" by St. John of the Cross
Ten Poems to Change Your Life
Amazon Price: $5.27 (as of 05/27/2012)
List Price: $16.00
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More Roger Housden
The Ten Poems Series
Take the Poetry Poll
The Transforming Effects of Poetry
Saved By A Poem by Kim Rosen
I absolutely loved this book by Kim Rosen.
She submits that anyone can learn poems by heart and that by doing so, the words can be transforming and healing. And she is living proof! After losing all of her life savings, she says that the poem, Kindness, by Naomi Shahib Nye, literally saved her life.
For me, just a novice at reading poetry, and with a very poor memory on top of it, I didn't think I could do it. But her book made me want to try. I learned to recite the poem, Song for Nobody, by Thomas Merton in less than a week and am now working on my second, The Journey, by Mary Oliver.
Saved by a Poem: The Transformative Power of Words
Amazon Price: $5.45 (as of 05/27/2012)
List Price: $15.95
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More Books about Poetry
Poetry Anthologies
Poetry on Twitter
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- Carlitomusik
- Spoken word poetry event is now live tune in http://t.co/fD06nYfF live from the Vice Roy Club 50.
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- shiizaaryuu
- Check out my poems @ http://t.co/y4kcfKtD. Please rate them :)
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- PinocchioPoet
- Commented on: http://t.co/HTWGIdyL: http://t.co/54vYsWXT
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- Crisslawliet
- Photo: visual-poetry: http://t.co/mgq8CEru
A yellow flower
(Light and spirit)
Sings by itself
For nobody.
~ Thomas Merton
Poetry Websites
Please add a favorite of yours.
Mary Oliver - Official website
Mary Oliver's interactive shows combine video, ani more...1 point
Types of Poetry
1 point
PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of poems and poets.. Poetry Search Engine
Poems from different poets all around the world. T more...0 points
Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More
A resource from the Academy of American Poets with more...0 points
Poetry Foundation
Find poems, poets, poetry news, articles, and book more...0 points
David Whyte Many Rivers Home
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What is Poetry?
Poetry is wonderful. Oh, really! Why? It just is!T more...0 points
Poetry & Photography
Exploring Edges
Articles About Poetry
- Be Inspired by a Poem
- A blog post about my favorite poems.
- Words that Shimmer
- Excellent NPR interview with poet Audre Lord, who was selected to read one of her poems at Barack Obama's inauguration
- Finding Your Voice
- How the poem, The Journey by Mary Oliver, helped me to find my voice.
Maya Angelou recites "And Still I Rise"
Poet Patricia Sanders
Featured Poets and Poetry on Squidoo
Poetry Books on my Bookshelf
What is Your Favorite Poem?
Add a link or vote for your favorite poem.
The Journey -- Mary Oliver
One day you knew what you had to do ...0 points
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
~ Mary Oliver, The Summer Day
Thanks for Visiting!
What are you doing with your wild and precious life?
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darciefrench
Jan 20, 2012 @ 4:13 pm | delete
- Thank-you for adding this lovely lens to the plexo on my Facebook Poetry lens. I meditate, write and love unconditionally. Life is precious indeed.
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LizMac60 Jul 6, 2011 @ 3:41 am | delete
- I love writing poetry, even when it's not up to the standard of the greats. Love Keats.
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One of my Favorites
New and Selected Poems, Volume One
Amazon Price: $16.44 (as of 05/27/2012)
Mary Oliver is one of the best poets for expressing our connection to nature. Many of my favorite poems are hers, like "A Summer Day" and "The Journey."
More Poetry Pages
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