Forgotten Landmines: 7 New Poetry Collections to Read This August
“You see, one can live without having survived,” writes Carolyn Forché. That sounds grim, and indeed it is, but it also points to one of the qualities that makes contemporary poetry so remarkable: an inexhaustible resolve to see what is
In a world where poetry can often be overshadowed by more contemporary forms of expression, a collection of seven new poetry collections offers readers a chance to rediscover the power and beauty of the art form. From the rugged landscapes of European history to the intimate chronicles of personal struggle, these poets are determined to transcend time and bear witness to the urgent horrors and extraordinary beauty of our era.
Antonella Anedda, a major Italian poet, introduces her quiet yet severe poetry to a wider audience in a bilingual edition. Her far-reaching vision spans European history and the web of empires, delving into the intimate connections of the body, home, and the seemingly gentle textures of everyday life. At the same time, Anedda's work hints at a lurking menace beneath the surface, challenging readers to see the world with the same vivid courage that her poetry exemplifies.
Pulitzer and NBCC Award winner Rae Armantrout's collection, Safe Rooms, demonstrates her unique ability to draw words and ideas from a myriad of sources, including news and advertising. Her short, staccato poems often feature autobiographical elements, such as her grandmother's fondness for pro-wrestling. Armantrout's masterful juxtapositions and striking images, like a tree writing "stick music" in various lengths, serve to create a fresh take on anxiety and disrepair.
Carolyn Forché's Otherwhere: New and Selected Poems 1976-2026, positions her poems at the intersection of the personal and the political. Through her travels across Europe and North and South America, including her time in El Salvador as an activist, Forché witnesses the extremity of twentieth-century conflicts. The most recent poems in this collection report from the ongoing war in Gaza, where she describes children dreaming of meat and chocolate, and others collecting what they think are the bones of their brothers.
Forché's poetry serves as a stark reminder of humanity's brutality and cravenness, while also inspiring hope in the face of adversity.
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