Guides to Poetry
Source: www.poetrycenter.arizona.edu
Topic: Poetry
Sort Desciption: This is a perfect introductory anthology to contemporary poetry. Also ... How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry. Harcourt. Orlando, FL: 1999. ...
Content Inside: Collins, Billy, ed. Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry. Random House. New York: 2003. Former poet laureate Billy Collins selects 180 poems by contemporary poets in this cel- ebration of the art. This is a perfect introductory anthology to contemporary poetry. Also see 180 More: Extraordinary Poems for Every Day (2005) also edited by Collins. Fox, John. Finding What You Didn’t Lose: Expressing Your Truth and Creativity through Poem- making. Tarcher/Putnam. New York: 1995. Fox teaches in the California Poets in the Schools Program, and is nationally known for his work in poetry therapy. His book is full of great writing exercises. For examples he uses the work of both famous poets and of adult students in his classes; it’s a good reminder that poetry can be part of our daily lives, not just in or from books. Hirsch, Edward. How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry. Harcourt. Orlando, FL: 1999. This book introduces a wide range of poetry and poets the world over. Hirsch’s own love of the genre is enthusiastic and contagious. He also supplies a generous glossary and an extensive reading list. “Learn about poetry from the poem,”Hirsch says. Mayes, Frances. The Discovery of Poetry: A Field Guide to Reading and Writing Poems. Harvest Books. San Diego: 2001. You may know Mayes as the best-selling author of Under the Tuscan Sun; she is also an accomplished poet, a former creative writing professor, and author of this introduction to poetry, which strikes a fine balance between comprehensive and user-friendly. In addi- tion to explanations and examples, Mayes includes an “In Your Notebook”section that will help you put your own pen to paper. Moyers, Bill. The Language of Life: A Festival of Poets. Doubleday. NY: 1995. This is the companion to a PBS series. Moyers interviews contemporary poets about their own poems and poetry in general. The poets’own discussion of their work is joyous, pro- vocative, and inspiring. ...
