Above all, the poets that touch down every year or two in the Library of Congress are the gatekeepers of the American idiom. … Some poets believe that original use of language can shape the public imagination and thereby influence public values and policy; to some, the greatest expression of liberty is the ability to stand to the side and observe, dream, remember, and testify.
(from The Poets Laureate Anthology, introduction by Elizabeth Hun Schmidt, pages xlix-l)
The Poets Laureate Anthology, edited by Elizabeth Hun Schmidt with a foreword by Billy Collins, is the perfect collection for poetry lovers, as well as those dipping their toes into the genre. The book features a handful of poems from each of the 43 U.S. Poets Laureate who have held the position from 1937 to 2010, starting with the most recent poet laureate and working backward. There is a photo and a short bio of each poet laureate, along with a quote from them. As Billy Collins (poet laureate from 2001-2003) says in the foreword, the book can be read at one’s leisure and out of order.
One of the most interesting parts of The Poets Laureate Anthology is the foreword by Billy Collins, who talks about how various poets laureate used the position to raise public awareness of poetry or kept out of the public eye, given that they are under no obligation to write poems. The introduction by Elizabeth Hun Schmidt is equally informative, explaining the history of the position and how the Librarian of Congress — not the President — appoints the poet laureate. She goes on to say that each poet laureate has made the job his/her own, with their personalities a major factor in how they approach the job.
Schmidt points out that the anthology contains different voices and styles, calling it “a celebration of freedom of speech in motion” (page xlix). With so many poets and poems to choose from, there is something for everyone in this anthology. I recognized many of the poets and poems in the book, including Billy Collins, Robert Pinsky, Robert Penn Warren, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maxine Kumin, William Stafford, Robert Frost, and Elizabeth Bishop. I was delighted to revisit the poetry of Ted Kooser, having recently reviewed his Pulitzer Prize-winning collection Delights & Shadows. I learned some interesting tidbits about some of the poets, including Louise Glück, who refused to do interviews or public appearances as poet laureate in an effort to “control her words” (page 86).
The Poets Laureate Anthology really is a poetry collection for everyone. Many people avoid reading poetry because they think it doesn’t speak to them or is too hard to understand, but Ted Kooser, for instance, writes poetry for the average person. At over 700 pages, the anthology is comprehensive enough that I am confident anyone could peruse the book and find at least one poem that would change their views about poetry. After all, as Schmidt says in the introduction, “…the only official job in the arts in the United States is for a poet” (page xlv).
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Poets Laureate Anthology from Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity, LLC, for review purposes. I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon associate.
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I have this on my shelf to read after I finish the poetry anthology I have out from the library. 🙂
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Looking forward to your thoughts!
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I have this anthology and will be reviewing it at the end of the month. I’m glad that you enjoyed it, and thanks for participating in the tour. Don’t forget to add you link to Mr. Linky
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I knew you’d love it. It’s definitely a must-have for poetry collectors.
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This is probably the type of poetry book I should try – with a mixture of poems by different poets.
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Definitely! You’re bound to find at least one poem you like.
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I only read my sad WWI poetry, so not for me
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I have a WWI poetry anthology that I hope to read for Serena’s challenge.
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I have always wondered about the purpose of the poet lauerate — save for reading poems at inaugurations– thanks for enlightening me!
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You’re very welcome! I really found the foreword and introduction fascinating because I knew so little about it myself.
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Ooh, I am so excited to read this, and have been since I saw the Millions review the other day. And now with your review to boot! It must be mine! I can’t believe no one thought of doing a Poets Laureate collection before this, silliness!
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You’re right; I’m surprised there hasn’t been an anthology until now. Hope you enjoy it!
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Anna, this book sounds truly wonderful, and your review is as well. What an interesting, original idea for a book! (I used to be quite intimidated by poetry, but after exploring the genre a bit, and even attempting to write some, I believe I have a better understanding of this art form.) I will stop by Serena’s blog again soon.
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Thanks, Suko! I admit that some poetry still intimidates me, but there’s so many different kinds of poems and styles that there’s something for everyone, you just have to find it.
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I really haven’t read poetry since I left college. Maybe this would be a good way to try my hand at it again.
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This would be the perfect place to start!
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Ooh, great review — too many sniff at poetry when it’s really so beautiful — I think abt that great poem from Clinton’s inauguration. Some gorgeous stuff is being written — this is totally going on my want list!
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Thanks, Audra! I think you’d really enjoy this book.
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What a great anthology! And yay for Billy Collins! I wrote a post about him earlier this week: http://readhanded.blogspot.com/2011/04/poetry-month-spotlight-billy-collins_20.html
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Great post! Thanks for stopping by!
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I really need to give poetry a real chance. I think I find myself intimidated by it!
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I hope you do give it a try. It’s just a matter of learning what you like and then finding the right poets to read.
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I love poetry and go through periods when I read quite a bit of it and then I don’t for a while. And I don’t know enough to really talk about it but I’d like to learn more and read it more regularly. It never occurred to me to look for an anthology such as this one which would be perfect way for me to start reading poetry regularly.
Thank you for reviewing this anthology!
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My pleasure! I don’t read poetry all that often either, but it’s nice to have an assortment of collections on hand for when I’m in the mood for it.
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Isn’t this a wonderful collection?! I had NO IDEA what the Poet Laureate did until I read the Foreward and Intro (yes, I’d like a job that pays me to define my own work!).
I’ve stayed away from poetry because I didn’t “get” it — this anthology (and the notes, bios, etc.) helped me to realize I don’t have to “get” it, I can simply enjoy it!
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Well said! So glad you enjoyed it!
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I’m so happy when I see collections like this one showing readers like Dawn that they can enjoy poems. Kooser and Collins, as you note, have worked hard to get that word out.
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Thanks, Jeanne! I am so glad to have discovered Kooser this year. His poetry is wonderful.
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Ooh, I have this book! I haven’t gotten very far into it — it’s the type of volume that I dip into now and then — but I’m enjoying it and I’m glad you’re bringing it to others’ attention.
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It is the type of book that you read a little here and a little there. Not sure you could read it cover to cover. I had a lot of fun flipping all over the place and discovering new poets and poems.
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