If there’s one genre that’s long due laurels, it’s poetry. Far too many people picture poetry in a flowery and elitist light. It conjures the image of pretentious old men wearing tweed, smoking pipes, and inventing metaphors about life. The truth is that poetry is a vast multicultural tapestry! Today’s poets are stretching the genre to its limits and piercing the hearts of growing audiences. In celebration of their trailblazing, we compiled a list of three debut poetry collections that encapsulate all the genre has to offer.
HOT PICK
Hardly Creatures by Rob Macaisa Colgate
SYNOPSIS:
Rob Macaisa Colgate’s debut collection, Hardly Creatures, dives into the hidden world of the disabled community. Assembled as though the reader is walking through an art museum, each section of poetry reimagines this literary form in new and experimental ways. With a mix of lyricism and heart, this collection will leave readers with new insight into not only the disabled community but the world at large.
WHY:
Colgate is a disabled queer Filipino American poet. Their poetry has previously appeared in multiple esteemed journals. This debut collection perfectly demonstrates Colgate’s innate ability to blend language and activism. Their pieces not only celebrate unsung communities but highlight their struggles, as well.
COFFEE SHOP PICK
I Hope You Remember by Josie Balka
SYNOPSIS:
In I Hope You Remember, poet Josie Balka captures the bittersweet tension of nostalgia. Her touching prose reads like the diary entry of the universe. The broad tapestry of human emotion is covered in her work — everything from love to family to body image. Balka’s characteristic touch makes the reader feel as though they are being let in on a secret, even if it’s one they already know.
WHY:
If you find yourself recognizing phrases from Josie Balka’s poetry, it’s likely because many of her pieces have gone viral on TikTok and other social media. This Canadian poet and radio personality often records her work in a sound-proof closet in her house. Balka’s soft, inviting voice has already drawn a massive online audience. Finally, fans can appreciate her collection in book form.
DARK HORSE
Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccola
SYNOPSIS:
Helen of Troy, 1993 is a daring retelling of the ancient myth. In this collection, poet and educator Maria Zoccola reimagines the iconic Helen as a housewife trapped in 1990s suburban Tennessee. Readers follow Helen’s tragic story through a surprisingly familiar lens. Zoccola expertly weaves the mysticism of the ancient with the mundanity of the modern, reminding the audience of Helen’s humanity.
WHY:
Maria Zoccola has taught multiple creative writing workshops, and her previous work received a special mention for the Pushcart Prize. In this debut collection, Zoccola strips away the mythical cloud surrounding Helen and encourages her readers to find the woman within.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read! Whether you’re new to poetry or a longtime admirer, we guarantee these collections have something for you. Be sure to tune in next week for even more specialized recommendations!
To explore more poetry collections, click here.
Check out our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop.org for weekly curated reading lists.
