No shade to Halsey and Lilli Reinhart, but I am tired of always seeing the newest celebrity turned poet in the Barnes and Noble Poetry section. In my attempts to find new poets, whether it be in the bookstore, online, or by word of mouth, I have stumbled upon some pretty amazing books and authors I’ve been dying to share. Whether you are an avid lover of poetry or just looking to get into poetry, these five ladies are absolutely worth a read.
1. Madisen Kuhn
Virginia-based poet Madisen Kuhn got her start in 2012 on Tumblr (I personally fell in love with Madisen Kuhn after picking up her 2018 book Please Don’t Go Before I Get Better). Her poetry frequently discusses topics such as love, home, growing up, identity, and mental health (something Madisen is very vocal about). Kuhn’s poems are super readable and relatable. Her poem “the healing process” is actually perfect to cry to after a breakup with its raw emotion and authenticity.
Some Poems to Check Out: “the healing process,” “an ode to almost lovers,” and “alaska”
2. Susan Leslie Moore
You may not have heard of Susan Leslie Moore, but her poetry deserves all the hype. Moore is a Portland-based poet who is an active writer and educator at Literary Arts. Her poetry discusses nature, family, and her experiences in motherhood through an almost surrealist lens. I was drawn to her naturalistic yet fantastical imagery, and the sense of calm her poetry brings. I recommend checking out her debut book That Place Where You Opened Your Hands. I love her poem “I have tried hard to have appropriate feelings” with its beautiful contrast of the natural world and our modern lifestyle.Â
Some Poems to Check Out: “I have tried hard to have appropriate feelings,” “Night of the Living,” and “Prayer”Â
3. Jenny Zhang
Shanghai-born and Brooklyn-raised Jenny Zhang is a celebrated author, poet, and essayist. She has been published in the New York Times, Buzzfeed, and an A24 movie adaptation of her book Sour Hearts is in the works. Her poetry discusses her identity as a Chinese woman, her experiences as an immigrant, womanhood, and mental health. Zhang is unapologetic, bold, and isn’t afraid to use words like vagina *gasp!* in her writing. My favorite poem of hers is “My baby first birthday” with its almost cynical tone and critique of modern society.
Some Poems to Check Out: “My baby first birthday,” “ted talk,” and “Don’t fucking text your friends when I’m reading a poem I took two years to write”
4. Morgan Parker
Morgan Parker is a Southern California-based poet and author who studied poetry at NYU. She has been the recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award, featured in various publications, and won the award for Best American Poetry 2016 anthology. Parker’s poetry often focuses on themes of racial justice, her experiences as a Black person in America, and the objectification of Black women. “If You Are Over Staying Woke” is a wonderful examination of living your authentic life, even if it involves breaking routines or society’s expectations.
Some Poems to Check Out: “If You Are Over Staying Woke,” “Search for the New Land,” and “We Are the House That Holds the Table at Which Yes We Will Happily Take a Goddamn Seat (after Solange)”
5. Margaret Atwood
While most of you will know Margaret Atwood as the author of The Handmaid’s Tale, she is also an accomplished poet. Like her novels, Atwood’s poetry also focuses on themes of women’s rights, man’s relationship to nature, environmentalist ideas, and she isn’t afraid to delve into somewhat grotesque imagery to discuss these topics. Despite some of Atwood’s more antiquated personal views on feminism, her poetry is still very relevant and powerful. Though it is a bit of a longer read, my favorite poem of hers, “Half Hanged Mary”, is a brutal but masterful retelling of the story of Mary Webster, a puritan woman who survived the night hanging from a tree after being named a witch.
Some Poems to Check Out: “Half Hanged Mary,” “The animals in that country,” and “Is/Not”