Robert Frost said “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought have found words.” Sometimes you have a feeling or an experience you can’t even explain and poetry is the only way to get. I’m personally a poetry fiend and I am constantly searching for now poems and poets to become obsessed with. Here are the 5 that currently have my attention — some are classics, but some are new discoveries.
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Rudy Francisco
We can’t discuss poetry without mentioning the modern day King of Spoken Word himself, Rudy Francisco. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to be blessed by the talent that is Francisco, stop blocking your blessings and look him up on YouTube! He has a huge fanbase — rightfully deserved. Francisco is a romantic, and every line will have you saying awwww without a doubt.
Favorite Piece: My Honest Poem “I’m afraid that if I let you see my skeletons, You’ll grind my bones into powder and get high on my fault lines.”
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Warsan Shire
My favorite poet of all time. Warsan Shire has more than a way with words… she has a mastery of them. Shire’s poems are a little more on the sad side than Francisco, and also harder to come by, but they’re incredibly relatable. Also, she’s pretty active on twitter, and puts gems on there all the time!
Favorite Piece: For Women Who Are Difficult to Love “You are terrifying and strange and beautiful. Something not everyone knows how to love.”
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Hannah Johnson
This Canadian poet has only a few out there, but they were enough to get me hooked. Her writing style is, in a word, amazing. She is humorous, while talking about important topics. Hopefully she’ll see this article and realize she has waiting fans and will upload more performances!
Favorite Piece: I’m Still Really Glad I Broke Up With You “Twenty years spent dreaming of a love like the movies doesn’t teach you how to heal when that love combusts.”
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All of The Strivers Row
This spoken word group is full of some of the most soulful poets in the game right now. Each of the members have their own spin (not to mention they’re all oddly attractive). Jasmine Mans is a POWERHOUSE. Her delivery will leave you speechless, and her message, inspired. Alysia Harris (my fave!) is so gentle and sweet and you just want to give her a hug. They, along with the rest of the members of the group, can be found all over YouTube.
Favorite Piece: Black and Blue by Jasmine Mans and Alysia Harris, “And giving him your heart to stand on will never make a man of him, just a taller boy.”
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Clementine Von Radics
This poet is HUGE on tumblr, she has her own page where she shares all her recent poetry. She’s even published a book of her poetry, Home. Her poems are inspiring and beautifully written, since she doesn’t perform them often. Even if you’re not really into poetry, you can get down with what she’s saying, so this is a good place for poetry newcomers to start.
Favorite Piece: For Teenage Girls With Wild Ambition and Trembling Hearts “There will always be those who say you are too young and delicate to make anything happen for yourself. They don’t see the part of you that smolders.”
Honorable mention: Nayyirah Waheed, Alex Elle, Lang Leav, Tyler Kent White, Sierra DeMulder, Rumi, Sarah Kay