A Tradition of Poetry

‘Tis the season for traditions. I personally have a lot of holiday traditions. My family eats the same things every year on Thanksgiving with little to no menu changes. Our Christmas schedule runs like clockwork even though it’s a very relaxed holiday. Lots of puzzles, reading, snacking, and watching the same movies every single year (The Music Man, Home Alone, and It’s a Wonderful Life make the list every December).

But one of my most favorite holiday traditions is just mine. It’s small and simple, and I think it’s the most beautiful way to open a new year. Every New Year’s Day, I read a collection of poetry. Sometimes, I’ll ask for a specific one as a Christmas gift. Sometimes, I’ll buy one for myself around that time, or I’ll save one for months just for the occasion. Then every January 1st, I find it so lovely to take an hour or so and curl up with a cup of tea and a book of poetry and listen to what it’s trying to tell me about the coming year as well as what it’s trying to teach me about the last.

Many people struggle with poetry. It seems unapproachable or intimidating. But there is such variety in the world of poetry, and it is a wonderful way to celebrate what makes us all different and the same. I truly think everyone can find something to enjoy while reading poetry. As librarians, it is our job to embolden lifelong learners and introduce people to new stories in varied ways.  

One of my favorite poetry collections is by the acclaimed National Youth Poet Laurate, Amanda Gorman. Call Us What We Carry is a beautiful work about personal and communal growth. It’s a book about coming of age in today’s America. It’s about black culture and race relations. It’s about the trauma and tragedy of pandemic life.

Sarah Kay is my favorite spoken word poet. I saw her perform once and it was remarkable. However, her poems translate well to the page, and are never intimidating. She is a master at painting pictures in people’s heads. Her collection No Matter the Wreckage captures the beauty of childhood, family, and travel.

Finally, Space Struck by Paige Lewis is a brilliant poet, and they capture nature and the human condition so well by exploring the many intertwining anxieties and emotions this universe contains.

‍

For additional books of poetry by brilliant artists, such as:

Above Ground by Clint Smith

A Fortune for Your Disaster by Hanif Abdurraqib

An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo

Finna by Nate Marshall

Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith

For many more works, explore our Poetry Is for Everyone list on iPage.

Let’s celebrate poetry and let’s celebrate the New Year! I hope you will join me in my poetry tradition on the first day of 2024!

‍