Happy World Poetry Day! Here’s a fave from Ada Limón

In November, I started a new job at an educational publishers, where I was told about a new GCSE poetry anthology called Worlds and Lives. Naturally, I went to see what 15-16 year olds are being given as their introduction to the world of poetry. Here’s one by George Eliot.

In October, I dipped into Smart Devices by Carol Rumens, one of many poetry books available using the National Poetry Library’s free ebook service (check it out!!) I especially enjoyed this poem, Jasper by Tony Conran.

In September, I followed Poets.org’s poem of the day. It’s a great source for a wide range of voices - including phenomenal pieces like Breakfast by Minnie Bruce Pratt.

In August, I changed it up again and read the Summer 2023 micro-chaps from Ghost City Press. So many highlights, but I especially loved Fast Dogs/Slow Rabbits by Kelli Simpson, and its haunting, otherworldly perspective on our world of creatures…

In July, I bought a cache of POETRY Magazine at half price (thanks Blackwells!) This issue of translations and adaptations of existing poems was my favourite; here’s Stephanie Burt’s Prayer to Artemis, which I read on a bus to the Isle of Iona.

In June, up to my eyes in magic stones, cyborg theory and more-than-human ecologies, I turned to Being Human. This wondrous poem by Mark Doty has been in my head ever since.

In May, I dipped a toe into this wonderful book of sea poems (thanks @paxmb.bsky.social !) Here’s a poem by William Carlos Williams that really caught my imagination.

In April, I read the boldest and best of new poems (or at least what featured in the Forward Prize). Holly Hopkins’ ‘Telephone Girls’ grabbed me and did not let go.

I haven’t stopped thinking about this incredible poem by Fiona Benson since I read it in March. The precision of the language, the violent technicality… wow

February’s anthology was Poetry Unbound. Every poem here captured a unique and yet universal voice, and the accompanying essays guided me in developing my own language to describe the poems that move me. I can’t recommend enough.

This year, I read a poetry anthology every month. So, here are my twelve favourite poems from twelve different anthologies over the twelve days of Christmas. Day One - January’s Ecco Anthology of International Poetry with Nina Cassian’s seductive, vital ‘Temptation’

Delighted to have three new #poems with Coporeal Lit - here’s a sneak peek of ‘Mother Beard’, click the link for more

#poetry

www.corporeallitmag.com/lukebateman

Wow, a whole year since @fifthwheelpress.bsky.social published ‘My Darling Swims in the Shallows.’ Still love this poem, and the goblin it’s about.

fifthwheelpress.com/blogarchive/...

Every twenty pages of ‘Radical Wordsworth’, the narrative pauses for another of Coleridge’s whacky hijinks…

Like the time he, a man who could not ride a horse, joined a cavalry under the name ‘Silas Tomkyn Cumberbatch’

Ahh #poets

Oh Frank. 🥺 #poetry