After a discussion with Solar on my latest blog post, I have decided to try reading some more modern poetry. I mainly enjoy the older stuff, and I haven't liked most of the contemporary poetry I've read so far, but I thought I'd give it another shot I'd rather not read any poems that have violence, sex, swearing, etc., as I really don't enjoy reading about those kinds of things. Thanks in advance!
Thanks OJB. I looked up Ted Kooser and read some of his stuff, and I must say I liked what I read. He seems to have some sort of pattern to his poems (although I was unable to work out what it was) that added a slight charm to it. I noticed his style is very tell and not a lot of show, but I believe there could be a bit more to his poems then what's on the surface (or maybe not, he may just be painting a scene in the form of a poem).
That's a good adjective for his poems. I wouldn't say Ted Kooser is an amazing poet. I would say he write charming poets using some very solid craft ideas. He is a great poems for beginners because his stuff is not complicated.
Amazingly beautiful is Michael Donaghy's poetry. Not contemporary precisely (died 15 years ago or so, before his time). Donaghy also inspired a lot of Don Paterson, whom I can also recommend. Simon Armitage is also quite popular and enjoyable. On the more difficult side, there's Geoffrey Hill (died 2 years ago) - difficult to get into, that is, but hugely rewarding. J.H. Prynne is similar in that regard, although sometimes so obscure that it takes the joy out of his poetry imho... although there are some who would claim he's England's greatest living poet. Slightly older ones (i.e. second half of the 20th century) whom I'd also highly recommend are Robert Creeley, Muriel Rukeyser (she's a bit difficult to find), or Fleur Adcock (apparently she's still up and about, but I think the bulk of her work is located in the 20th century).
Yes Curlew, Simon Armitage is a very good poet. Recently purchased his latest experiment Flit. Read it one sitting. I think it worked. The 'Sommelier' skit had me in stitches.
