Understanding Poetry

Author of the book The Art of Poetry: How to Read a Poem, Shira Wolosky says that "Poetry is language that always means more." She writes "word and word order, sound and pause, image and echo is significant."

Explore some of these poetry titles at PCL:
The poets' corner: The one and only poetry book for the whole family/poems selected by John Lithgow. (2007)

The 100 best poems of all time/edited by Leslie Pockell. (2000)

The best poems of the English language: From Chaucer through Frost/selected and commentary by Harold Bloom. (2004).

The best American poetry, 2009/ David Wagoner, editor; David Lehman, series editor. (2009)

The poem I turn to: Actors and directors present poetry that inspires them/ edited by Jason Shinder (2009).