I had deleted the app a while back. Maybe three election cycles ago. I only got back on around the time I started my MFA. I post different types of things there. You may want to check it out. Lots of retweets.
She's really good. I enjoyed A History of the Cetacean American Diaspora. I also recently bought Manatee Lagoon, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.
I have Harjo and Walcott on my shelf — as well as Limon whom I’ve even memorized. All excellent suggestions.
Mainly I’ve been looking for living Asian formalists, and I’ve been getting recommendations via text messages. I’ll have to write a follow up post so all the answers I’ve gotten can benefit everyone.
Great list, Zina! Seconding that Josh Mehigan's Accepting the Disaster is one of the best books out there. In trying and trying to get better, that and Matthew Buckley Smith's Midlife are basically my textbooks.
I hope to buy a copy of @Matthew Buckley Smith’s Midlife when I see him next week. Maybe if I’m nice he’ll sign it for me? And thanks for affirming my taste in books! 📚❤️
I don't think anybody has mentioned Erica Dawson or Allison Joseph!
Thank you! I appreciate the recommendations.
John Murillo (a/k/a Mr. Nicole Sealey) is brilliant and writes a lot in form.
Thank you, Burt!
I’m tempted to get back on X just to follow you. ;)
I had deleted the app a while back. Maybe three election cycles ago. I only got back on around the time I started my MFA. I post different types of things there. You may want to check it out. Lots of retweets.
N. Scott Momaday and Jennifer Reeser are formal-leaning poets that come to mind—both Native American. I suspect you’re familiar with them.
Yes, I know those names! I’m going to need to create a list to share with everyone. Thanks, Steve!
Jenna Le is a formal poet and Asian. You mentioned her at the top of your post. You should check out her books: https://jennalewriting.com/about/
I also spelled her name wrong in the newsletter and since corrected it! 😂
Thanks! I didn’t really know she had collections.
She's really good. I enjoyed A History of the Cetacean American Diaspora. I also recently bought Manatee Lagoon, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.
Good to know! Have you read Marilyn Chin or Victoria Chang?
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/153544/marilyn-chin-101
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Chang
I haven't, but I'll check them out. Thanks for the recommendation
Some ideas for diverse poets:
Gabriela Mistral (I just read Langston Hughes's translation of her)
Joy Harjo (American Sunrise - this one is just ok)
Ada Limón (The Hurting Kind)
Anne Spencer (she's more metrical - I've visited her beautiful house and garden in Lynchburg, VA)
Derek Walcott (Omeros - an epic poem)
Langston Hughes (mentioned earlier, he's also good)
Robert Hayden (maybe kind of basic, but I love his poem These Winter Sundays)
Yusef Komunyakaa (his poem about the burning girl still haunts me)
And most importantly, some Asian poets! (These are not modern but I still love them!)
Li Po
Tu Fu
Matsuo Basho (he invented the haiku - I love his haibun book Narrow Road to the Interior)
I love Omeros.
I think you gave me my copy of Omeros!
I probably did. I was just thinking that at one point I had two and I should give one to you. So probably I'm just retreading previously walked steps.
I have Harjo and Walcott on my shelf — as well as Limon whom I’ve even memorized. All excellent suggestions.
Mainly I’ve been looking for living Asian formalists, and I’ve been getting recommendations via text messages. I’ll have to write a follow up post so all the answers I’ve gotten can benefit everyone.
I love Anne Spencer and try to teach her work as often as I can! Sally Thomas is a fan as well and has written about her on Poems Ancient and Modern.
Great list, Zina! Seconding that Josh Mehigan's Accepting the Disaster is one of the best books out there. In trying and trying to get better, that and Matthew Buckley Smith's Midlife are basically my textbooks.
I hope to buy a copy of @Matthew Buckley Smith’s Midlife when I see him next week. Maybe if I’m nice he’ll sign it for me? And thanks for affirming my taste in books! 📚❤️