English Poetry

Jericho Brown's daring book The Tradition details the normalization of evil and its history at the intersection of the past and the personal. Brown's poetic concerns are both broad and intimate, and at their very core a distillation of the incredibly human: What is safety? Who is this nation? Where does freedom truly lie? Brown makes mythical pastorals to question the terrors to which we've become accustomed, and to celebrate how we survive.

Playwright, poet, and novelist Ntozake Shange originally composed for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf in as a mesmerizingly original choreopoem. The New York Post called it "rich with the author's special voice: by turns bitter, funny, ironic, and savage; fiercely honest and personal." Now a new audiobook, it chronicles the interconnected lives of a group of women facing shatteringly difficult issues, and evokes the indomitable power of enduring hope and joy.

The poet Kabir, a selection from whose songs is here for the first time offered to English audiences, is one of the most interesting personalities in the history of Indian mysticism.

What matters most in life? For Alexander McCall Smith, it is friendship, love, and travel—the themes found throughout his work that have made him a cherished writer the world over. This first collection of McCall Smith’s poems reflects on these topics with all his characteristic wit and charm.

Diane Seuss's signature voice—audacious in its honesty, virtuosic in its artistry, outsider in its attitude—has become one of the most original in contemporary poetry. Her latest collection takes its title, Modern Poetry, from the first textbook Seuss encountered as a child and the first poetry course she took in college, as an enrapt but ill-equipped student, one who felt poetry was beyond her reach. Many of the poems make use of the forms and terms of musical and poetic craft and contend with the works of writers overrepresented in textbooks and anthologies and those often underrepresented.

Many believed he was thousands of years old. The women had prayed for an ancient one to come. They wanted to remember. The ancient one came. He was the father of all their fathers. The son of all their mothers. And on that day, in a valley where the sky hangs low, he spoke. Daughter Drink This Water is a sacred Love song. A timeless affirmation for girls and women in particular, and all people who are nurturing a beautiful life.

No one can offer you a cut-and-dried definition of poetry, but its main feature – in contrast to prose – is its emphasis on form. Poetic form is a kind of structure, in which the words of the poem are set. This analogy isn’t perfect, but it’s more useful than you might imagine at first. Important examples of formal elements in poetry are metre, rhyme and the visual structure of the poem. Features like these work together to produce the situation in which ‘form enacts content’. This means that the form is just as important as the content in determining the meaning of the poem, ...

The whole Bible teaches truth and awakens emotions, but the Psalms are in a category of their own. They do not just awaken the heart; they put it in the foreground. They do not merely invite our emotions to respond to God's truth; they put our emotions on display. The Psalms are more than commanding-they are contagious. We are not just listening to profound ideas and feelings. We are living among them in their overflow.

A “Speak easy” Poetry Book by Reneé Drummond-Brown has manifested itself from a retro style bar in the rrroaring 1920’s that once mimicked elements of an illicit vintage nightclub during Prohibition which came full fruition into spoken-word, speaking dat truth, speaking profoundly, speaking prophetically, and speaking that poetic thAng into existence consequently ushering in the 21st century poetic prose at slam venues. Spoken word replicating facets of antique speakeasies ain’t easy, nor neva-eva been spoken and/or sounded so good in a modern-day “Speak easy,” spitting dat ...

Immerse Yourself in the Raw and Transformative Verses of "Poetic Contemplation II" Dive into the immersive world of "Poetic Contemplation II," the much-anticipated sequel that transcends poetry, offering a profound journey through the author's own struggles and triumphs. This collection of free verse poetry is not just words on a page; it's a testament to resilience and a beacon for those seeking inspiration. Author Topher Pike bares his soul, sharing the real and raw experiences that have shaped his journey. As you delve into each poem, you'll be drawn into a world where every verse is a ...

Tears of a Black Man is a raw, powerful poetry collection drawn from the real-life experiences of author Lawrence McLendon.These aren’t just poems—they're confessions, reflections, and scars. From false accusations and prison time to broken love, fatherhood, and the daily battles of being a Black man in America, Lawrence bares it all with brutal honesty and grace. Every verse is a testimony of survival. Of standing tall after being knocked down. Of carrying invisible weights while trying to be seen, heard, and understood. This book is for anyone who's ever felt invisible, misunderstood,...

The little red hen finds none of the lazy barnyard animals willing to help her plant, harvest, or grind wheat into flour, but all are eager to eat the bread she makes from it.

This collection of timeless British and American poems is an experience to be treasured. The readings, by brilliant classic actors Alexander Scourby, Nancy Wickwire, and Bramwell Fletcher, are presented in the order they appear in The Norton Anthology of Poetry, Third Edition, and are selected for their ability to delight. The poetry is also among the most anthologized verse in the English language.

Homer's epic poem, written near the end of eighth century BC in Greece, follows the hero Odysseus as he journeys home after the fall of Troy. Many scholars believe that The Odyssey was originally composed as an oral tradition and was more likely meant to be heard than read, making it a great listen.

Step into a World Where Gothic Poetry Meets Cosmic Horror Sad Songs from an Old Goth in a Tree is a hauntingly beautiful collection that explores the enigmatic rise of Cthulhu, blending ancient legends with profound introspection and melancholic elegance. Each poem strikes a delicate balance between despair and hope, solitude and connection, drawing readers into shadowed landscapes alive with whispers of otherworldly forces. Themes of light and darkness intertwine, creating a mesmerizing journey for fans of gothic literature and cosmic horror alike. Enhance your experience with exclusive ...

Iced Coffee and Depression is a raw and poignant collection of poetry that explores the complexities of depression and anxiety, the highs and lows of love and heartbreak, and the journey toward healing. Through vivid imagery and candid language, Diana Townsend takes the reader on an emotional journey that is both relatable and deeply personal. Whether you're struggling with mental health issues, recovering from a broken heart, or simply looking for a deeper understanding of the human experience, this book is for you. With its powerful and honest voice, Iced Coffee and Depression is a ...

New Hampshire features Frost's meditations on rural life, love, and death, delivered in the voice of a soft-spoken New Englander. Critics have long marveled at the poet's gift for capturing the speech of the region's natives and his realistic evocations of the area's landscapes. This compilation, first published in 1923, earned Frost the first of his four Pulitzer Prizes and includes several of his best-known poems: "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", "Nothing Gold Can Stay", and "Fire and Ice".

From Seferis’ speech at the Swedish Academy I belong to a small country. A rocky promontory in the Mediterranean, it has nothing to distinguish it but the efforts of its people, the sea, and the light of the sun. It is a small country, but its tradition is immense and has been handed down through the centuries without interruption. The Greek language has never ceased to be spoken. It has undergone the changes that all living things experience, but there has never been a gap. This tradition is characterized by love of the human; justice is its norm. In the tightly organized classical ...

Sofia is a brilliant, free-spirited, Paris-bred poet who visits the U.S. for a summer Artist in Residency program and falls into an elaborate, intense, secret affair with her biggest fan, Jennifer. POETRY IN MOTION shares the story of a powerfully intimate and deeply passionate relationship between two women in love without filter, in explicit detail and with a depth of feeling, emotion and raw desire unmatched in similar literary works. CHAPTERS INCLUDE: SOFIA AT THE LAKE: Jennifer experiences her first romantic interlude with Sofia, whose nonverbal skills of seduction prove to be ...

Forget what you've been taught about Emily Dickinson, discard the myth that has been passed down through the years, and step into Emily's real life. Although this is a work of fiction, it is told in the first-person as if it were an autobiography and contains a mix of both known facts and informed speculation. The story begins on Emily's death bed as she looks back on her life. You will not find here that fictional phantom-in-white slipping around corners and hiding behind screens, avoiding the world. The Emily Dickinson you'll meet in these pages is the woman revealed in her letters and in...