Celebrate National Poetry Month with These 10 Poetic Picks

Trista Mateer is a household name — well, at least to the poets on Tumblr. This collection covers self-care, healing and love through the lens of mythology, blending modern insights with Aphrodite’s wisdom to create a story of empowerment told through poetry.

Ada Limón is the poet laureate of the United States for a reason! In her most recent collection, she explores family, nature, loss and more with grace and eloquence — a book made for anyone living in our current world. Limón’s poetry is accessible and touching, perfect for both seasoned poets and those new to the genre.

Ocean Vuong is a widely renowned poet, and his second collection doesn’t disappoint. The poems are beautiful and experimental, and, as the title hints, many touch on his relationship with his mother and the grief over losing her. It’s a book that will stick with you for a long time.

Parents looking for a poetry collection to relate to — this one’s for you. In his second book of poetry, Clint Smith explores fatherhood and what it means to be a parent in the 21st century. These poems alternate between making you laugh out loud and tear up.

Caitlin Conlon’s debut collection spans the deep sadness of heartbreak and grief to the excitement and sentimentality of new love and closure. Ideal for both teen and adult audiences, these poems and truisms are packed with a range of emotions that will speak to anyone in the process of healing.

This pop culture-packed collection from Danez Smith is a collection that, at its core, remains joyful despite touching on difficult themes. It’s an ode to the power of friendship that those new to poetry are sure to love, while familiar fans will appreciate the play with words and structure.

Chen Chen’s collection weaves humor, curiosity and deep emotion as he explores what his identity means to him. It’s a collection that’s almost impossible to categorize or describe — check it out for yourself and revel in the playfulness of Chen’s work!

Kate Baer’s poetry touches on womanhood in a way that mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and friends can all relate to. The poems in this collection are accessible without sacrificing their heart, making it a perfect read for those new to poetry.

You might remember Amanda Gorman from the inauguration of president Joe Biden, where she read a touching, inspirational poem called “The Hill We Climb.” This collection contains this poem and more, with lyrics of hope and verses of identity rendering this a new release sure to turn timeless.

If you love traditional form in poetry, this might be the book for you to check out. Each poem in this Pulitzer Prize-winning collection is a sonnet (though not always in the traditional sense), and as the poems progress, Suess tells the overarching story of her life.