Celebrate National Poetry Month

by Donna Huber

I grew up reading Shel Silverstein and Ogden Nash but as an adult, I don't read a lot of poetry. I went through a phase where I read a bunch of nature poetry I enjoyed. Poetry is difficult for me because when I read I'm very much a literal thinker so when there is a lot of symbolism and metaphors I tend to get lost in what is being said (it's also why I struggle with allegories). But it doesn't keep me from trying. Since it is National Poetry Month, I thought I would give poetry a shot this month. I have a few suggestions if you want to read poetry this month. They are all pretty short so it won't be a big time commitment if you are just wanting to test the poetry waters.

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A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon by Jessica Bell

January 2023; Vine Leaves Press; 978-3988320940
ebook, print (58 pages); poetry

This short collection of poems is inspired by the bond between mother and child. I read it in about 30 minutes and even though I'm not a parent I enjoyed the collection. I felt like I understood most of the poems - a couple were maybe a little deep for me to grasp. Overall, if you are dipping your toe into poetry this month, A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon would be a great collection to start with. I received a free ebook for an honest review

Buy A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon at Amazon

Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminky

March 2019; Graywolf; 978-1555978310
audio, ebook, print (96 pages); poetry

I read this collection of poems as part of my library's Big Read event. In addition to being National Poetry Month, April is also Deaf History Month. So this book would check both boxes if you are playing Book Bingo. I'm looking forward to the discussion at the library. I'm not sure I really got this collection. It was different as it is structured as a play. With it set in an occupied country, it also invokes images of the war in Ukraine. This may have been purposeful since the author is from Ukraine. If you get poetry or you want to challenge yourself, then I recommend picking up this book. It took me a couple of hours to read it.

Buy Deaf Republic at Amazon

The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes

February 2022;  e-artnow; B09RWRT87F
audio, ebook (111 pages), print; poetry

For Black History Month, I read The Weary Blues. I'm sure I read something by Langston Hughes in high school, but I can't remember what. Hughes wrote in a variety of poetic styles and this collection contains a nice sampling. His jazz-style poems were my favorites. I like poetry with a rhythm even if they don't rhyme (probably because I spent hours and hours reading Silverstein). It took me about an hour to read.

Buy The Weary Blues at Amazon

(Prime members and Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read for FREE)

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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