The Deep River

Holly Wren Spaulding suggests that reading poetry is a way to keep our poetic work vital even when we can’t get to the page.

Reading poetry, we stand on the shore of the deep river of words and push our little boat out into the current. Reading poetry keeps us circled close to the fire of our work, kindling near to hand.

Here are three kinds of books in my stacks just now.

Collections by Individual Poets

Winter Morning Walks by Ted Kooser

Dead Man’s Float by Jim Harrison

The Grace of Necessity by Samuel Green

Anthologies

Joy collected by Christian Wiman

The Maverick Poets edited by Steve Kowit

Poetry 180 collected by Billy Collins

Deep Dives Before Bed

Now and Then by Robert Hass

A Long High Whistle by David Biespiel

The Poet’s Glossary by Edward Hirsch

What books are keeping your practice lively?