"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."

• John Keating (Dead Poets’ Society)

How do you define Poetry? What does it mean to you? Does it unlock the secrets of your heart? It is beyond an explanation of a few words. Poetry is older than time itself. It flows through every inch of our vibrant spectrum of existence. It is the brightest light illuminating our souls and ushering us into the ever-expanding universe of countless emotions.

Today it is a tool, a voice for those who push for change and for those who have been silent for too long. It unites people from different walks of life. It moves you, pushes you, drowns you and pulls you, dusts you off till every nerve and sinew in your body is aware of its essence.

Here is the list of four poetry books you just can’t miss:

 

 

• MOUTHFUL OF FOREVERS by Clementine von Radics 

 

Clementine’s ‘Mouthful of Forevers’ is a treasure to cherish. She writes about the various types of love, traditional and unconventional, in the rawest and captivating style. This brave and beautiful collection of poetry will satiate your hunger for unforgetful reads with a platter full of poems about love, loss, heartbreaks, uncertainties and beauties of life. It is not a small bite but a mouthful of ravishing poetry and fulfilling forevers.

 

 

• OUR NUMBERED DAYS by Neil Hilborn 

 

Neil Hilborn in his debut poetry collection, Our Numbered Days, bares open about mental issues in an unflinchingly honest, firm and lucid way stripped naked of any superficiality. It is relatable and has a healing touch that many crave for. In 2013, Neil’s performance of his poem “OCD” went viral. To date, it has been watched over 10 million times. This collection contains 45 of his poems including “OCD”, “Joey”, “Future Tense”, “Liminality”, “Moving Day”, and many, many never-before-seen poems. 

 

 

• HELIUM by Rudy Francisco

 

The internet phenomenon Rudy Francisco, in his evocative and beautiful short collection of poems, covers a wide spectrum of topics from love to heartbreaks, self- reflection while not shying away from political and social issues. He strikes the right balance between the personal and the political as he audaciously opines on race, gender and class in his vulnerable and heartfelt poems. In the chaos of the world, his work is immersed in freshness and optimism.

 

 

• NO MATTER THE WRECKAGE by Sarah Kay

 

‘No Matter the wreckage’ includes Kay’s new and defining pieces which flaunt her flair for celebrating family, love, travel, history, and unlikely love affairs between inanimate objects ("Toothbrush to the Bicycle Tire"), among other curious topics. She takes the readers on a journey around her world filled with laughter and tears. It's a candid and powerful collection.

 

Poetry needs to be celebrated more often and that is what these works do. So, as you join the celebrations, find yourself a comfortable spot, make yourself a cup of coffee, play whatever music you love and let yourself drown in the magic of poetry.