NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm curious, because I write poetry, study it, and teach it at the university level. In general, I probably buy between 8 and 10 new books of poetry every year, some because the poets are friends of mine, some because I've come across their work and enjoy it, some because it's recommended to me. I don't go into a book store without at least looking at the (usually meager) selections available.

But poetry isn't a big seller--never really has been. That said, I know there's generally some interest in poetry in these forums, so I was curious as to how much, if any poetry you purchase in any given year. And if you buy some, who do you like, especially contemporary stuff?

I... stole a copy of Rimbaud's selected verse, printed about forty years ago, if that ...matters.

Other than that, no, sorry! I don't do much poetry-buying. [looks around] Hopefully, someone else will say something pretty soon and take the focus off this crappy contribution.

I'm curious, because I write poetry, study it, and teach it at the university level. In general, I probably buy between 8 and 10 new books of poetry every year, some because the poets are friends of mine, some because I've come across their work and enjoy it, some because it's recommended to me. I don't go into a book store without at least looking at the (usually meager) selections available.

But poetry isn't a big seller--never really has been. That said, I know there's generally some interest in poetry in these forums, so I was curious as to how much, if any poetry you purchase in any given year. And if you buy some, who do you like, especially contemporary stuff?
You teach it? I'm jealous. Can you reccomend anyone? I'd be more than happy by repaying with a grand ol' discussion.

You teach it? I'm jealous. Can you reccomend anyone? I'd be more than happy by repaying with a grand ol' discussion.
For an established poet, I'd say W. S. DiPiero. He's a friend of mine from San Francisco and last I heard, he'll have a selected poems volume coming out sometime next year from Knopf.

For younger writers, here's some of my friends, all of whom either have first books out or coming out in the next few months--Bruce Snider, Emily Rosko, Geoffrey Brock, Amaud Johnson, Alison Pelegrin (she has three books out). I happily recommend any of them.

When I first moved to the Bay Area I was in like my second or third wave of frevor over the Beat authors, so I would trek down to City Lights like it was the Vatican or something and pick up those little books they put out. I would sit in the upstairs section picking shit up at random and reading a couple poems and then pick up another. Usually my criteria was subject matter, as I never really learned a proper understanding of poetry. Turns out I was more into the prose writings of the Beats (but I did still go see Allen Ginsberg)

Having friends as poets hasn't helped. I dig the hell out of a buddy of mine's poetry, though I'm still convinced that he calls himslef 'The California Poet' to piss me off, since he's not from California. (He says that coming to California influenced his poetry, and he didn't say "Californian poet...")

I don't buy that many now, unless someone lights me up to something.

For an established poet, I'd say W. S. DiPiero. He's a friend of mine from San Francisco and last I heard, he'll have a selected poems volume coming out sometime next year from Knopf.

For younger writers, here's some of my friends, all of whom either have first books out or coming out in the next few months--Bruce Snider, Emily Rosko, Geoffrey Brock, Amaud Johnson, Alison Pelegrin (she has three books out). I happily recommend any of them.
Just like a college professor. suggesting books his friends wrote;)

I'll have to check them out. I'll let you know what I think if I do eventually buy some (whenever I get some money).

You have anything published? I enjoy your posts, so if you do, I'd be interested in reading it.

Just like a college professor. suggesting books his friends wrote;)

I'll have to check them out. I'll let you know what I think if I do eventually buy some (whenever I get some money).

You have anything published? I enjoy your posts, so if you do, I'd be interested in reading it.I'm working on it. I guarantee you, if I get a book out there, it'll be all over this forum, even though it will mean sacrificing my anonymity. :D

The only poetry book I have is Red Green's "Possum Lodge Poems and Campfire Songs", as illustrated by Red Green during his Blue Period.

The last book of poetry I bought was by Richard Brautigan. It was "The Pill Versus the Springhill Mine Disaster". It was so long ago, I can only speculate as to the reason.

I'm curious, because I write poetry, study it, and teach it at the university level. In general, I probably buy between 8 and 10 new books of poetry every year, some because the poets are friends of mine, some because I've come across their work and enjoy it, some because it's recommended to me. I don't go into a book store without at least looking at the (usually meager) selections available.

But poetry isn't a big seller--never really has been. That said, I know there's generally some interest in poetry in these forums, so I was curious as to how much, if any poetry you purchase in any given year. And if you buy some, who do you like, especially contemporary stuff?

The last book I bought that would fall any where near poetry would be Henry Thoreau's 'Walden'. I know the majority of it isn't poetry, but I still enjoyed what little of it there was.

I buy a few... I try to use the library more than buying books because I don't have a lot of space or money yet I have access to a university library, as well as the local city one.

Favorite contemporary poets include: AE Stallings, Li-Young Lee, Larissa Szporluk, Louise Gluck, Jim Carroll...

Favorite classic poets include: Louise Bogan, Rainer Maria Rilke, Pablo Neruda, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson...

On my wish list: an anthology of German poetry, the latest Franz Wright, the collected Richard Wilbur...

The only poetry I read is what I have to in english.

I buy a few... I try to use the library more than buying books because I don't have a lot of space or money yet I have access to a university library, as well as the local city one.

Favorite contemporary poets include: AE Stallings, Li-Young Lee, Larissa Szporluk, Louise Gluck, Jim Carroll....You've got pretty good taste.

*sigh*

I just keep it simple. An anthology of Yeats was my last purchase.

Aside from your stated purpose of just surveying what kind of poetry readers we are, is there an underlying complaint that we don't read enough of the stuff?

Aside from your stated purpose of just surveying what kind of poetry readers we are, is there an underlying complaint that we don't read enough of the stuff?
Not really. Poetry has never been a big seller, and I don't imagine it ever will be. I was just curious to see if anyone around here follows it.

Not really. Poetry has never been a big seller, and I don't imagine it ever will be. I was just curious to see if anyone around here follows it.
Must be my guilty conscience, then.

I don't buy poetry. But I get poetic books from my grandmother because our aunt was a poet. Anyone heard of Reetika Vazirani? World Hotel? Or White Elephants?

Well, I always buy at least one, at least since I got into Highschool because I joined the Literary Magazine. Depends on whether I'm interested in the author or not.

The only underlying complaint that is valid is that people don't read enough to even be able to read at their "grade level."

The bibliophobic swine.

I don't think that I have ever bought a book of poetry, though I did have a poem published a few years ago! Oh, and this is a good chance to bring up:
The Poetry Of Trulin (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=424884&highlight=poetry+trulin)

I am a great fan of the English Classics, right now i am reading William Blake, again:),Some of my other favorites are A.E. Housman,Seigfried Sassoon,and Robert Burns to name a few, also Sylvia Plath resonates with me, maybe too much because like her i have considered suicide a couple of times , like attracts like i guess.

No option for less than 1 a year but more than none?

I buy books of poetry very occassionally - once every two or three years.

My current collection includes:
a complete collection of the works of Edgar Allen Poe
a complete collection of Robert Service
and three compilations

My favorites are Poe, Robert Service, Rudyard Kipling, T.S. Elliot, and Basho.

I am a great fan of the English Classics, right now i am reading William Blake, again:),Some of my other favorites are A.E. Housman,Seigfried Sassoon,and Robert Burns to name a few, also Sylvia Plath resonates with me, maybe too much because like her i have considered suicide a couple of times , like attracts like i guess.
It's rare to find a fan of Sassoon. Most people I talk to have no idea there was ever a poet with such a name--they think of the hair products.

I have to say none since the last book of poetry I bought was a year or two ago. Not quite at the 1 per year margin yet...

I do a lot of poetry writing and song writing though, and I read my share of it also. Can't say I actually study it, other than what we went over in my Creative Writing class.

It's rare to find a fan of Sassoon. Most people I talk to have no idea there was ever a poet with such a name--they think of the hair products.
ha...I know of his poetry, and still think of shampoo. is that bad?

Anyway, I really like H.D., Blake...um...there were alot more that I am completely blanking on right now.Gwendolyn Brooks...EE Cummings

i like seamus heaney