6. The Complete Sonnets and Poems by William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

Although better known for his plays, Shakespeare became famous first as a poet. The Complete Sonnets and Poemscombines his sonnets and unforgettable love poems with all of his others, including those attributed to him after his death. His sonnets are poignant musings on love, morality, and the effects of time. The volume’s introduction discusses the Bard’s development and dissects how his poems relate to his plays. Shakespeare’s poetry is a wonderful entry point into the Elizabethan era in which he wrote and gives a deeper understanding of his overarching body of work.

Excerpt: "So they lov'd, as love in twain / Had the essence but in one; / Two distincts, division none: / Number there in love was slain.”

Although better known for his plays, Shakespeare became famous first as a poet. 

7. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (1819–1892)

In 1855, Walt Whitman published the first edition of Leaves of Grass, at his own expense. He utilized an innovative free verse style and what was deemed “immoral” subject matter, celebrating nature, love, the body, and friendship. While Whitman continued to work on Leaves of Grass, adding new poems with each printing, this edition presents the original twelve poems from his debut 1855 edition. Included are some of the highly lauded poems of modern times: "Song of Myself," and "I Sing the Body Electric.”

Excerpt: “O I say these are not the parts and poems of the body only, but of the soul, / O I say now these are the soul!”

8. John Donne’s Poetry by John Donne (1572–1631)

John Donne was more than just an English poet. He was also a preacher and a major representative of the metaphysical poetry of the 16th century. Donne’s pragmatic and sensual style was wide-ranging, encompassing sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, and Latin translations, among several other forms. Many know him best for his “Death Be Not Proud”, but all of the poems found in John Donne’s Poetry are awe-inspiring.

Excerpt: “Death, be not proud, though some have called thee / Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; / For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow / Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.”

9. Complete Writings by Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784)

Phillis Wheatley was seized from Africa at the age of seven and became a slave to a Boston commercialist. Yet, she published her first poem in 1767 at the age of 14, garnering attention and fame. Wheatley’s poetry employs classical themes and techniques, translating Ovid and transforming Horace’s odes with her own incisive twists. Not just a poetry collection, Complete Writings also collects Wheatley’s letters. As a bonus, the appendix includes poems by Wheatley's contemporary African-American poets: Lucy Terry, Jupiter Harmon, and Francis Williams.

Excerpt:“But here I sit, and mourn a grov’ling mind, / That fain would mount, and ride upon the wind. / But I less happy, cannot raise the song, / The fault’ring music dies upon my tongue.”

10. The Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867)

Shocking the 19th-century French literary world, The Flowers of Evil was Charles Baudelaire’s dance with the taboo. He linked sexuality and death, played with irony, and celebrated the disturbing aspects of urban life. This version collects the six poems originally banned in 1857, and offers both the French and English versions side-by-side for readers to dissect and interpret as they please.

Excerpt:“Nature is a temple, where the living / Columns sometimes breathe confusing speech; / Man walks within these groves of symbols, each / Of which regards him as a kindred thing.”

Source: https://reedsy.
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