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Christa Lei's avatar

This is a wonderful list but I think you missed Diana Khoi Nguyen too, her collection Ghost Of is within this vein too, but about the Vietnam War, trauma that lingers and the death of her brother

Arthur Turfa's avatar

Comprehensive list. I would add Joy Harjo, but I want to check out some of the others whom I have not read. Thanks!

Arun Sharma's avatar

Some wealth of information!

Regards with gratitude

Maria Giesbrecht's avatar

Anne Sexton was my gateway drug into poetry 🥰

Herb Kitson's avatar

What about Linda Pastan? She was my mentor at the Breadloaf Writers' Conference . It was like Sylvia Plath had come back from the dead. Changed my poetic life completely. Rita Dove is another good one, and I adore Ana Christy's book "Real Junkies Don't Eat Pie."

KT's avatar

Genuinely so excited by this list!! Thank you!

Dianne Moritz's avatar

Sharon Olds.....

Dianne Moritz's avatar

All poets deserve recognition....I was able to meet and hear H.D. years ago at a reading in East Hampton, NY. I'd never even heard of her before.

I admire poets who don't take suicide as a way out.

Kait Quinn's avatar

So many poets to read!!! Also, I absolutely LOVE all of Mary Karr's memoirs. I feel like her imagery/descriptive language and Plath's subject matter were my first inspirations as a poet. Yet I've somehow only read one of Karr's poetry books. So this is a good reminder to read more of her poetry!

Tara Y's avatar

Wow! A wealth of metaphorical gold in here to explore. Put many new authors on my TBR. Thank you!!

John M. Price's avatar

Oh goodness. I'm tired just reading the list. Still working on Plath.

Becs Pearson's avatar

Absolutely saving this - so many epic recommendations - thanks! WHERE TO START THO...

Jean-Paul's avatar

I need to save this list to come back to. I've probably read 10-15% only

Albert Gil's avatar

Sylvia seems to be the rebellious all American girl next door, darling of poetry. But there have been issues with her bringing up Nazi victim imagery when she never experienced it.

wheatgerm's avatar

thanks for this list! been a huge fan of limón and diaz for a while, and i just discovered theresa hak kyung cha last month. excited to read more from this list.

Klara's avatar
2dEdited

I'd also add Miyó Vestrini & Anna Akhmatova to the list. Also, Plath wasn't trying to impress she was evidently more skillful & experimental than Sexton.