April showers bring rainy reading days! Not only does April provide the coziest reading weather, but it’s also National Poetry Month. The only thing you’re missing now is the perfect poem recommendation! Whether you’re a moody poem lover or a romantic at heart, I’m here to provide a variety of poetry recommendations that’ll be sure to grab your attention.
‘Sonnet 130’
William Shakespeare is a widely known poet and writer, often considered to be one of the best in the world. It would be a tragic shame if I crafted up a list of poem recommendations without including a Shakespeare piece. The writer is a romantic through and through, but one of my favorites of his is Sonnet 130.
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Sonnet 130 is a realistic outlook on what it’s like to be in love. Shakespeare highlights the authentic beauty of a woman and how he loves her despite all of her flaws. He makes various blunt statements pointing out the dull and imperfect appearance of his lover. However, within the last two lines, he writes, “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare.”
‘Milk & Honey’
If you’re searching for a larger commitment for National Poetry Month, consider purchasing a book of poems. Milk & Honey is a book of poems by Rupi Kaur that explores topics of abuse, love, and self-healing. The book became widely popular on social media in the late 2010s on platforms like Instagram and Tumblr.
Kaur does an amazing job of poetically connecting with her readers while sharing her own heartbreaking story. A few of her most popular pieces touch on self-worth and empowerment following difficult situations. Kaur’s pieces are short and sweet, but can easily impact your life with just a few words.
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‘And Still I Rise’
Maya Angelou was an American activist and writer who published various written works, including her popular poem, And Still I Rise. Angelou’s poem is a personal and moving feminist piece that incorporates her impact on society as a Black woman. The piece is directed at society as a whole, as she questions various things and pushes the boundaries.
For example, Angelou writes, “Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom?” She pokes and prods at the reader until she finally states that no matter what the world says about her, she will rise again. Angelou refuses to sit down and silence herself. Her meaningful words express her refusal to let others’ opinions get under her skin.
‘The City In The Sea’
Edgar Allan Poe is an American writer with many infamous poems. Many readers are often familiar with his pieces titled The Raven or Annabel Lee, but almost all of Poe’s work is extremely unique and gothic. The City in the Sea is not as popular as some of his other works, but it is a one-of-a-kind piece that deserves more attention than it often receives.
The City in the Sea describes a city that is run by Death. The dark and gloomy poem tells a story of the city as it succumbs to the powers of Hell. Poe uses an intricate pattern of descriptive language to portray the city and how it literally sinks beneath the sea.
‘There Will Come Soft Rains’
Imagine a life without violence, without hatred, and without humanity. In her poem, There Will Come Soft Rains, Sara Teasdale emphasizes the peaceful aspects of life. The poem takes place after World War I, and Teasdale explains that no matter how much damage humanity tries to do to nature, it will always persevere.
Teasdale wrote, “And not one will know of the war, not one will care at last when it is done. Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree if mankind perished utterly.” Her poem highlights the importance of nature and how humanity’s presence truly does not affect its future outcome because it will always return stronger.
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There’s no better time than National Poetry Month to dive into the beautifully complex world of poetry. Pairing the cozy, rainy weather with a new poem will be sure to stimulate and relax your mind all at once.
