I am a HUGE fan of Mary Oliver - I have every one of her books of poetry.
Great advice regarding reading poetry. It not only helps us as poets but I am convinced it deepens, stretches, and opens our souls to the Light. Creative light, compassion's light. Love.
Call me naive but I can't help but think our world would not be in the mess it's in if more of us were poetry devotees.
I forgot to add this thought, Kassi. You know what also helped me as a poet? Memorizing works I admired by other poets. There's no 'teacher' of powerful writing & communicating like Memorization. No wonder, back in the dark ages, when I grew up, we were required to memorize poetry, or Shakespearean soliloquies, or speeches.
My graduate school professor, Marie Ponsot, made us memorize poems! She said you have advertising jingles in your head! Fill your mind with poems instead!
These are great suggestions! I just picked up Rilke's Book of Hours over the new year and his lyricism always amazes me. It's so beautiful.
Another creative and interesting one I've been chewing on recently has been Layli Long Soldier's Whereas. You should check it out if you haven't - some pretty interesting cultural and relational critique weaving in forgiveness and light.
Oh my goodness, I must've been looking at somebody else's name when I was typing it in ...so sorry Kassi. I need less screen time and/or better glasses 😂
Oooo I’m excited to have some new-to-me books to add to my shelves! I looooove Rilke. Haven’t read him in a while. I really enjoy Plath but in small doses 😅 (I did love the Bell Jar! Poetic in its own right). Mary Oliver is my favorite poet!
Kassi, I really enjoyed this post! I have A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver, and it’s been such a thoughtful guide since I began writing. Her insights into understanding and writing poetry are both practical and inspiring. I love how she blends technical advice with her deep appreciation for the art. Thank you for sharing your bookshelf.
I am a HUGE fan of Mary Oliver - I have every one of her books of poetry.
Great advice regarding reading poetry. It not only helps us as poets but I am convinced it deepens, stretches, and opens our souls to the Light. Creative light, compassion's light. Love.
Call me naive but I can't help but think our world would not be in the mess it's in if more of us were poetry devotees.
I like that! We would be better off if we all read poem! Especially Mary Oliver.
I agree, we would have a softer world!
I forgot to add this thought, Kassi. You know what also helped me as a poet? Memorizing works I admired by other poets. There's no 'teacher' of powerful writing & communicating like Memorization. No wonder, back in the dark ages, when I grew up, we were required to memorize poetry, or Shakespearean soliloquies, or speeches.
My graduate school professor, Marie Ponsot, made us memorize poems! She said you have advertising jingles in your head! Fill your mind with poems instead!
that’s great advice!!!
This is a beautiful post, and I am humbled and grateful to have my book included. Thank you. 🙏🏼
Happy to hear 🕊️💗💯
These are great suggestions! I just picked up Rilke's Book of Hours over the new year and his lyricism always amazes me. It's so beautiful.
Another creative and interesting one I've been chewing on recently has been Layli Long Soldier's Whereas. You should check it out if you haven't - some pretty interesting cultural and relational critique weaving in forgiveness and light.
Thanks for the suggestion 🙏🏻
What great books! This is the new poetry cannon!
😊 I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you!
Oh, it is!!!!
I think I'll try Dream work by Mary Oliver. I'll see if it's on Audible.. thanks so much Saira 🙏
Happy to help 💗 it’s Kassi though! So nice to meet you Kathleen.
Oh my goodness, I must've been looking at somebody else's name when I was typing it in ...so sorry Kassi. I need less screen time and/or better glasses 😂
No worries at all 🙂🕊️
🙏
I have not read Dream Work by Oliver, but I imagine Devotions has some poems from it!
Yes it does. ☀️
I love to see what authors are reading! Thank you for showing and telling about the work of other poets.
Thank you Lisa, glad you enjoyed this post. 🙏🏻
Oooo I’m excited to have some new-to-me books to add to my shelves! I looooove Rilke. Haven’t read him in a while. I really enjoy Plath but in small doses 😅 (I did love the Bell Jar! Poetic in its own right). Mary Oliver is my favorite poet!
🎉☀️💗💯❤️
Kassi, I really enjoyed this post! I have A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver, and it’s been such a thoughtful guide since I began writing. Her insights into understanding and writing poetry are both practical and inspiring. I love how she blends technical advice with her deep appreciation for the art. Thank you for sharing your bookshelf.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing Saira! 💯💗🕊️
My pleasure, Kassi! Your posts are always so inspiring. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work. ❤️✨️🕊
I've read some of these poetry books. I love reading poetry. I read a couple poems and then think on them for a day. Great books. Great ideas.
Please subscribe and receive an original poem every morning