April is National Poetry Month. As the month is wrapping up, it’s a great time to reflect on some of the most popular and influential works of poetry that can be enjoyed throughout the year. It’s important to remember that all works of poetry are subjective, and what may seem like an excellent poem to one person may not be someone else’s cup of tea. That’s one of the things that makes poetry so great! If you’re not a reader of poetry, this list is a good place to start exploring the genre. 

 

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur is a modern work of poetry, published in 2015, and the poems contained are aimed at young women. This collection focuses on the beauty of womanhood and the struggles some women face. The poems are short and are accompanied by beautiful ink drawings. It proved to be very popular in libraries and on social media.

 

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman is a collection featuring poems about small-town America, the working class, and country living. Due to its relatable themes, this work of poetry remains a mainstay despite its publication date being over 150 years ago.

 

The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe is a timeless work that readers of every age are probably familiar with. Although Poe is typically known for his short stories, he was an accomplished poet as well. This collection contains many of his most popular poems such as “To Helen” and “Annabel Lee.”

 

Ariel by Sylvia Plath contains many memorable poems such as “Lady Lazarus.” Known best for her novel The Bell Jar, Plath had published many poems during her writing career, many of them written in a different tone than readers of her novels may associate her with.

 

Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith is full of interplanetary allusions combined with themes of mystery and hope. Smith explores what life on Mars might actually be like while touching on the loss of her father who was an engineer who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope.

 

Many of these works are available for checkout at the library or digitally from the WVDeli. Another announcement as we’re reaching the end of April, the Bridgeport Public Library will be closed on Saturday, April 30th for Staff Training Day.