International Poetry Day

Yesterday was International Poetry Day and to not miss out on paying tribute to this day, I prepared a small (but grand) list with some of the best poetry books in history.

1. "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri

A 14th-century Italian poet best known for his masterpiece The Divine Comedy.

Born in Florence, his work is widely considered one of the greatest achievements in world literature.

The Divine Comedy is an epic verse narrative that describes Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. It is a profound exploration of the human condition, theology, and morality.

2. "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman

A 19th-century American poet often called "the father of free verse. Whitman celebrated individuality and democracy in his poetry, capturing the essence of the American experience.

Leaves of Grass is his most famous collection, marked by expansive, exuberant verse that celebrates nature, the human body, and the democratic soul of America.

3. "The Flowers of Evil" by Charles Baudelaire

A 19th-century French poet and a central figure in Symbolism. Known for his decadent and sensual poetry, Baudelaire profoundly influenced modern literature.

The Flowers of Evil is his masterpiece, a collection that explores the dark side of urban life, eroticism, and the duality of the human soul, combining beauty and decadence.

4. "Songs of Innocence and Experience" by William Blake

An English poet of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known for his unique spiritual and artistic vision. Blake was also a renowned printmaker and painter.

Songs of Innocence and Experience is a collection of interconnected poems that explore childhood innocence and adult corruption, reflecting on good and evil through a mystical and symbolic prism.

5. "Odes" by John Keats

An English Romantic poet from the early 19th century, known for his lyrical sensitivity and aesthetic beauty. His short, intense life contributed to a dense and emotional body of work.

Odes is a collection that includes some of the most famous poems in the English language, such as "Ode to a Nightingale" and "Ode to a Grecian Vase". Keats explored themes such as nature, art and the transience of life.

6. "Canticles" by Rabindranath Tagore

An Indian poet from the early 20th century, also a philosopher and musician. He was the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.

Canticles is a collection of poems that reflect spirituality, nature and the search for inner truth. Tagore combines elements of Indian folklore with a universal sensibility, creating a work of timeless beauty.

These books not only capture the distinct literary styles and periods of their authors, but also offer profound insights into the human condition, exploring universal themes such as love, death, nature, and spirituality. Each work continues to inspire and influence readers and poets around the world to this day.

I hope each book inspires you to be an exceptional poet in every word, just as I imagine myself getting closer to each masterpiece as these authors inspire me.

Beijim 💋