You might think that because I write poetry that I'm conversant with many poets and read a lot of what they've written. But I write poetry mostly because I have things to figure out, and non-literal, symbolic, poetic language is often the only kind that even approaches what's needed to describe reality. Consequently, I don't know a lot of other poets, but the following are the ones that have most blessed me.
If you know of other poets that you feel might move me, please feel free to send a message.
This is still dedicated to you, Glynnie. Knowing you has made me far richer than mere money ever could, and much of what I know of love and beauty and enchantment I know because you showed me what they were and helped God restore them to life in me. You have touched my heart and soul, and you will always have my gratitude and a special place in my heart.
I will always love you.
Favorite Poets
- Wendell Berry - this poet, essayist, author, farmer and activist is an amazing man. His poetry is rich with unsentimental visions of the land and family and love and death and beauty in all their pain and glory. Just re-reading some of his poems, I was overcome with their beauty and power and cried, especially at stanza VI of Sabbath 2001. Also reading his essays, novels and interviews, I am continually struck with the beauty of this man, and how often what he communicates seems to come from my own heart.
I want to have Testament read at my funeral. [quotes] - T.S. Eliot - I've spent many hours reading his poems aloud (as I do all poetry, for the most part), especially Ash Wednesday ("Teach us to care and not to care/Teach us to sit still."), which I read (and read and read), especially when depression is having its way with me, and Burnt Norton from The Four Quartets to get, among other things, the inevitable chill that accompanies the stanza beginning with "At the still point..." [quotes]
- John Keats - I just recently "discovered" him and I've been enjoying his work immensely. [quotes]
- Rainer Maria Rilke - I was re-introduced to Rilke by a dear woman from Nova Scotia. She had such a passion for Rilke and his writing that I revisited his poetry, and her passion was such that it ignited his words in me and their beauty and insight became forever clearer and dearer. [quotes]