The Crystal Calligrapher

Poetry Recommendations – 2009 January 7, 2010

One of the blogs I read regularly is Peony Moon by Michelle McGrane. Michelle is a wonderful poet in her own right (or would that be write:) and knows an immense amount about poetry. Her blog is filled with interviews, reviews and other information about the poetry world.

So I was delighted and honoured when she emailed me asking for my participation in a poetry project. Michelle has got a large group of poets from around the world to list their three favourite poetry collections of 2009.  Here is the link to one of eight entries, which, taken together provide a large list of books to be read.  Favourite Poetry Collections of 2009

Choosing  just three books was quite a challenge. There were several more that I would have liked to have mentioned. Then there are all the books published before 2009 that I only got round to reading last year, or reread. So here is my longer list, noting my favourites of the poetry books I read in 2009.

Impredehora – Yvette Christansë

Flashes – Carol Leff

The State of Poetry- Roger McGough

Burnt Offering – Joan Metelerkamp

Rage against the Beast – Sonwabo Meyi

Strange Fruit – Helen Moffet

Thirst – Mary Oliver

Séance for the Body – Wendy Woodward

Tongues of their Mothers – Makhosazana Xaba

Oleander – Fiona Zerbst