Poetry is a beautiful form of writing and ranges from topics including love, loss, and human nature. Around the world, poets have poured their heart and soul into their writings. Oftentimes, upon reading a poem, you may find your own self articulated amongst the stanzas. Poetry can have a powerful impact on readers. Reading a poem or two each day is a great way to celebrate literature and expand your reading list.
One poet that had a strong impact on my relationship with poetry is Atticus. An anonymous poet, Atticus, is a beautiful writer and I often come across his work on Pinterest and other social media platforms. I find his poems, oftentimes just a few short lines, to not only be beautifully written, but to also reflect important and meaningful topics. After taking a Russian literature class in college, my interest in poetry grew. When my professor assigned poetry readings by two poets, Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska and Soviet poet Anna Akhmatova, I was very interested and affected by their works.
I love the works by these three poets and wanted to share with you all my favorite poems by them.
Atticus
Atticus’s poetry quotes are lyrical and thought provoking. Here are a few of my favorite poetry quotes by Atticus.
- “She was afraid of heights but she was much more afraid of never flying.”
- “I let her go because I knew she could do better and now she’s gone I wonder if I should’ve just been better.”
- “We fall in love with the little things somebody loves about the world like music, rainy days, or peanut butter sandwiches – and it doesn’t matter what they are, it’s just that they love them and that makes us happy.”
- “You deserve to be the person you were meant to be. ”
“Love at First Sight” by Wislawa Szymborska
If I had to choose my all time favorite poem, it would be “Love at First Sight”. This is a poem of love and serendipitous events. This poem reminds me of the many romantic comedies I have watched and read. The idea that you have passed your soulmate many times without realizing it is a very romantic notion and Szymborska beautifully describes this idea. The imagery is very descriptive in this poem of many beautiful quotes. The poem linked above was translated from Polish by Clare Cavanagh and Stanislaw Baranczak.
“In Praise of Feeling Bad About Yourself” by Wislawa Szymborska
Rather than a poem of love and romance, Szymborska’s “In Praise of Feeling Bad About Yourself” warns against violence and harm while celebrating humanity and kindness. The poem communicates a strong and important message of what it means to be human. At first, readers may not understand the connection between the poem’s title and its first few stanzas. However, by the final stanza and line, the meaning is clear and the poem imparts a powerful message. Szymborska’s message to readers is profound and a deep introspection about humanity.
“Under Her Dark Veil” by Anna Akhmatova
I first read Anna Akhmatova’s works when I was a senior in college for my Russian literature class. I was immediately affected by her poetry and her own life story. Her poetry is instantly impactful and paints a picture in your mind of the described scenes. You can distinctly feel the agony and sadness described in her poems. “Under Her Dark Veil” was one of the first poems I read by Akhmatova, and although just a few lines, describes a lifetime of love and loss. With limited context, you are able to understand the scene described and acutely feel the narrator’s anxiety and heartache. The final line of the poem is abrupt and you immediately understand the feelings of the characters following heartbreak.
“Solitude” by Anna Akhmatova
Another poem by Akhmatova that had a strong effect on me was “Solitude”. The imagery present in this poem perfectly reflects the feelings of the writer. This also allows readers to sympathize with the poet and understand her emotions. This poem is bittersweet as it captures feelings of sadness, pain, suffering, and hope. A primary read of this poem affects readers. However, a secondary read of this symbolic and historical poem allows readers to further analyze Akhmatova’s poem and the context in which it was written.
Reading poetry is a great way to expand your reading content. Depending on your topics of interests, there are hundreds of poems available for you to discover and read. Although composed of short stanzas, poetry is profound. If you find that you are too busy to begin a novel or a long book series, reading a poem each day provides the perfect opportunity to both read and not feel constricted by time. If you are not sure where to start, I personally recommend the works of Atticus, Szymborska, and Akhmatova.
