Hi all, and a very happy National Poetry Day!

October has come around, and us autumnal folk can finally crawl out of the woodwork and into a coffee shop…what better occasion than this to pick up a poetry book to pair your seasonal hot drink with?

When I was a lot younger and I was only just learning about poetry in school, I didn’t have any idea how to explore my interest in it – some of my earlier poems are written in practically Elizabethan lingo…my misconception that this was the only style of poetry that existed. I wish someone had told me that there were poets out there writing words that would strike a chord with me rather than seem beautifully inaccessible! In that vein, I wanted to share with you my three current favourite poetry books – hopefully ones that you can disappear into and find the powerful meaning that poetry holds.

1. Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth by Warsan Shire

This book is in my self-soothe box. What a work of art. In this breathtaking debut pamphlet, Warsan Shire dives deep into the painful intricacies of womanhood and generational trauma – there is some really jarring and shocking language, so sensitively used and so powerfully emotional. I love how she frames some of her Islamic experiences also. Warsan brings a rawness that feels within reach, because it embodies common humanity – I urge you to pick it up and disappear into its depths! You can buy the pamphlet here!

2. Adjusted by Casey Bailey

I don’t think anyone’s surprised this is on my list. Casey is my poetry hero and Adjusted, his first full collection, is a raw diamond. Exploring the experience of growing up in tumultuous conditions and the constant need for adjustment, Casey is starkly honest about his feelings in this book – he describes them as ‘sky-highs and lows as low as ocean beds’. He seems to seamlessly intertwine experiences of grief and joy, and I love his writing on loss. This is a must read, especially if you’re new to poetry, because Casey’s work cuts deep but also leaves you feeling very warm and rejuvenated. You can buy Adjusted here!

3. How To Carry Fire by Christina Thatcher

Now this…may be my favourite poetry book ever. I was actually introduced to Christina through my lovely former teacher Emily, and I fell in love with her work. I don’t know how to adequately describe how much Christina’s work resonates with me. Her use of language is so subtle and tugs at your heartstrings so hard you find yourself scratching your head, wondering how on earth you ended up sobbing on the floor. How To Carry Fire is a triumph. Against the backdrop of family addiction and youthful innocence, Christina recounts trauma, grief and finding beauty in the darkest of places – all with fierce and channelled fire. I think this was what got to me when I read it. She is so unapologetic and powerful in her expression. Her ability to provide such devastating inward glances paired with reflections on the natural world and beauty had me in awe as well as making me tear up on more than one occasion. I have read this book so many times. If you read any poetry book, read this one. It is staggeringly good. Christina is just amazing. You can find How to Carry Fire here!

Oh, I do love raving about poetry collections. There is something so mystical and fantastic about a collection…they are little storybooks, spliced into puzzle pieces that allow you to have your own personal experience of them, whilst following the threads of the poet’s. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and that you might consider checking out one of the books above! You can find them secondhand on Wob or in your local library too!

Happy Autumn, and see you soon!

Love,

SS xx