Many students think of poetry and cringe. Years of analyzing and dissecting Shakespearean sonnets and cryptic postmodern creations have left many individuals running as far away from poetry as they can get.
Poetry, however, is about relating human experiences rather than dissecting abstract metaphors. Giving modern day poets a chance might just change students’ minds. In honor of the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, here are 10 contemporary poets who are definitely capable of changing the way students view poetry.
George Watsky
He’s probably best known for rapping at the speed of light, but Watsky started off as a poet and still is a poet at heart. Although he shares some profound ideas in his writing, it’s argued that Watsky is someone whose poetry must be seen rather than read. His method of deliverance and the way he speaks is hard to replicate even with the imagination. Some of his early pieces, such as “Drunk Text Message to God” and “S for Lisp,” can be found on YouTube and are a good introduction to his poetic style.
Ada Limón
An inspiration to many younger poets, Ada Limón has a very descriptive writing style. Limón can paint detailed settings and situations using only words. Even when she’s telling a heart-wrenching story, a feeling of calmness emanates from the page. She often uses natural metaphors. “Sharks in the Rivers” and “Three Poems” are both great places to start and can be found on the Academy of American Poets’ website at poets.org.
Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay is a driving force in the world of spoken word poetry. She’s held TED Talks regarding the art of storytelling, and she also runs a program across the country with fellow poet Phil Kay to teach youth about spoken word. Some of her work definitely shows influences from Ada Limón, with a very soft approach and many metaphors. Other pieces are more assertive and seem concrete as opposed to abstract. She isn’t afraid to say what she has to say. Many of her performances can be found on YouTube, including “If I Should Have a Daughter” and “Hand Me Downs.”
Phil Kay
Longtime friend and colleague of Sarah Kay — no, they are not related in anyway — Phil Kay has also paved the way for spoken word. His poetry can be a little quirky at times, often starting out as a bit of a joke before revealing the bigger, more serious subject. Phil Kay’s poems often experiment with wording and how we say certain words, which may be why he usually releases his work via video rather than in print. His performance of “Repetition” can be found on YouTube.
Sierra DeMulder
Sierra DeMulder performs and publishes her work. Her subject matter can be a little dark, as she discusses issues such as eating disorders, self-harm and physical abuse. Because she writes free verse poetry, her work can be a bit longer. Her live performances of “Mrs. Dahmer” and “Ana” can be found on YouTube as well as in her book, “The Bones Below.”
Pat’s Justice
Pat’s Justice definitely has a rapper’s style in the realm of spoken word. He tackles issues such as inequality, the music industry and living in underprivileged areas in his pieces. A common theme in his work regards how rappers have lost their integrity. “Innocent Criminal,” a piece featured on HBO a few years back, can be found on YouTube.
Taylor Mali
Taylor Mali is a former-teacher-turned-full-time poet. He may not seem like the typical relatable figure for a college student at first glance, as he looks like the teacher who never lets students get away with anything. But he uses his work to spread messages that many other people seem afraid to say. He even cracks some jokes here and there and is very fond of satire. Start with “What Teachers Make” and “Totally Like Whatever, You Know?” which can be found on his eponymous website, as well as on YouTube.
Sherman Alexie
Sherman Alexie is often described as a storyteller instead of a poet, but, hey, who doesn’t love a good story? He chronicles his life, often bringing up the struggles he’s faced as a Native American. His sense of irony makes him a favorite among many. His works don’t always rhyme, but they usually follow a loose formatting of stanzas. His works aren’t usually too long, either. “Good Hair” is often used as a stepping stone into his work. You can access this poem, along with many of his other pieces, via the Academy of American Poets website at poets.org.
Warsan Shire
Somali-British poet Warsan Shire was London’s Young Poet Laureate in 2013. She gives a great perspective to the dynamics of a globalized world. Other topics she covers include family relationships, like those between mothers and daughters. Her work is often free verse but she organizes it into stanzas, which usually change in topic. Her work is often very blunt and straightforward, and the power of her pieces comes from her emotions rather than her metaphors. Good introductory poems include “Our Men Do Not Belong to Us” and “UGLY” which are the first two pieces in her book, “Our Men Do Not Belong to Us.”
Savannah Brown
Although she started as a YouTube personality, Savannah Brown just published her first collection of poems in her book, “Graffiti.” She also releases her poems on her eponymous YouTube channel, which varies between descriptive introspective works and feminist proclamations. She usually keeps herself remarkably composed in her works, so that strong emotional segments seem to hit a lot harder. Her piece “Hi, I’m a Slut” is extremely popular, with more than 800,000 views.
