Cookie Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry if there's already a thread I didn't see it. I've ordered an anthology of Britains best loved poems but would really like some suggestions to help me get into reading poetry. I haven't read any since school though so nothing too complicated please! All help will be much appreciated x:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 There are so many different forms of poetry out there, what sort writing genra do you prefer? If you like romance I would recommend Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Famous for 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...) She is one of my favorites and is the writer who first got me into reading poetry. If you like darker stuff then I would recommend Edgar Allan Poe. His stuff is amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Indeed, it all depends on what genres/themes you're into, I find that the things I enjoy in fiction I enjoy in poetry - in my case, it's heroism, philosophy, theology, that kind of thing. If you tell us what you like we might be able to help ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 I just went and googled them both CaliLily and although I liked Elizabeth Barrett Browning, I prefer Edgar Allan Poe. The problem is my taste in books varies a lot but narrowing it down I think I would prefer poems that were a bit darker and thought provoking. I like the poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Sorry I'm not being very helpful am I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 (edited) I've just Googled that poem and it's lovely. You might like John Clare. He was a 'peasant poet' and had a fairly troubled life - he wrote many poems about nature. I studied him for A level recently as a mature student and would suggest This collection as a good place to start. (It's cheap too!). ETA: Hmm- there aren't many dark ones in that collection though - until you get to the ones he wrote about himself and his past when he was in the asylum towards the end of his life - so they might not be to your taste. You can read lots of his poems online here to get an idea Edited January 13, 2010 by Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peacefield Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I like the poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Ahh, Frost! My favorite poem of his, Cookie, and someone I always recommend as a poet. Looks like you already discovered him . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 May I recommend some Byron? I know he's not the most recent of poets but he reads really modern. My favourites by him include The Lament of Tasso (about an Italian poet who wrote his masterpiece in prison), Prometheus (about the Titan who stole fire from the Greek Gods to give it to mankind) and Farewell to the Muse (about poetic inspiration). Norton's Byron's Poetry and Prose is probably your best bet edition-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 *Giggles with manic joy* I feel like a kid in a sweet shop! Amazon are going to love me when I get paid on Friday!!! I always knew peotry existed but I never thought I would enjoy it, at least until I came on here. Just so you know when I have to go and talk to my bank manager again I will blame you guys!!!! @Janet - Thanks for the links, it's really good stuff and only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 No worries. Happy reading, whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 I have ordered 4 new books off Amazon and can't wait for them to arrive. I have ordered Byron (the book you suggested BookJumper), John Clare, Edgar Allan Poe and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I would have ordered more but funds won't allow so I will have to order some more next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Happy reading - I hope you enjoy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 *yay* for Byron the poems I linked you are very typical, so if you liked those you should love the rest of his stuff. Do let us know what you think of your new acquisitions once you've absorbed them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aviv chadash Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I'm not as well read as the others here, but I would recommend Emily Dickinson. She writes alot of 'sad' stuff, but deeply meaningful, with a little 'dry humour' thrown in on occasion, especially concerning religious issues. If my poor memory serves... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaustoMerckx Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Laurie Lee wrote some good poems, about nature, animals and Spain mostly. Lewis Carroll wrote some interesting stuff, 'Phantasmagoria and other poems', especially if you can find one with the original drawings by Arthur B Frost, very dark. I get most of my books online from Play.com, they seem to be cheaper as they offer free postage on everything. Definitely worth a look, especially if you buy second hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWords Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 And nobody has suggested William Wordsworth? Strange imagery, complex thoughts, looong poems... He's one of the few poets whose work I return to with regularity. Not in the same category by any means, I do like Ogden Nash as well - both of those poets have crossed over to the wider reading public, and anyone who is unsure of reading poems would do well to look out for their work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinay87 Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 (edited) Try these poems to get a feel of poetry: Daffodils - William Wordsworth, Leisure - WH Davies, The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner - Samuel Taylor Coleridge. If you've ever heard the phrase "water, water everywhere; not a drop to drink" then it's from the third poem. Edited February 6, 2010 by vinay87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I specifically don't recommend Wordsworth to newcomers BigWords (though Daffodils is very pretty) because my own encounter with him wasn't too positive; I had to read The Prelude for uni and I ended up having to be woken up because the Modern Languages Caf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atticjnr Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 There is a lot of great poetry around in London at the moment. Check out (just search on youtube) Kate Tempest, Poeticat, Polarbear poet and/or Laura Dockerill. All of them are great! I've seen the first three perform live and it is incredible. This wasn't what got me into poetry as I have always loved it, however it has turned a lot of my friends to poetry and think it is a good start to introducing young people (especially those who don't have many cultural influences) in particular to poetry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within by Stephen Fry is probably a good place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 As a compromise because there are two such different views on him I've ordered a cheapish copy of Wordsworth poems. I've also ordered a book of Lewis Carroll poems. I haven't had a chance to look the other poet suggestions up on the net yet but when I do I will let you guys know what I think! Thanks you guys for helping me out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Cookie- I see you're reading a little Poe right now. How are you finding it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookie Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 I have only read three of the short stories so far. The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Mystery of Marie Roget and The Black Cat. The first two I found a little too wordy and long winded but the third I really enjoyed but then who doesn't like a story about a crazy man and a cat? I also like The Raven and some of his other poems whose names have completely escaped me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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