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21st March is World Poetry Day – when was the last time you read a poem? For many of us, poetry means English lessons, GCSE papers, Wordsworth and his daffodils, Valentine’s Day cards… it’s old school, and probably not really part of our lives anymore.
But 2020 has encouraged us to discover new creative endeavours, look for new forms of entertainment and try new things. For a growing number of people, poetry is making a comeback. And unlike the historic poems we studied at school, this new wave of creative writing is fresh, modern and oh-so relevant.
To track the rise and rise of modern poetry, we look back to the heady, pre-pandemic days of 2016. Back then, poet Rupi Kaur exploded onto the scene with milk & honey, a book of poems she’d originally shared on Instagram. It hit the New York Times Bestsellers list and made Rupi an instant star with millions of IG followers. Since milk & honey, many Insta poets have translated their grid posts into printed works, and poetry has become one of the fastest-growing categories in book publishing. If you’ve ever shared a funny Brian Bilson quote, or nodded in agreement at Hollie McNish’s musings on parenting – you’re consuming modern day poetry, maybe without even knowing it. Today’s online poets look and sound very different to those we know from school.
And it’s not just Instagram – TikTok, which is now the biggest social media platform in the world with more than 800 million users – is fast-becoming the place to discover new poets and engage with their work. The video-based format is perfect for spoken word performance, and the #poetry tag has more than 19 billion views.
So if you’re new to this whole poetry thing, how do you discover what style you like? Where do you look for new artists, and how can you support them? Social media is definitely the starting point, and searching #poetry and related hashtags will bring up plenty of options. Many poets use platforms like Paetron to give fans exclusive content in exchange for a small monthly fee. And modern poets often create new work especially for books, so buying their titles is a great way to support them further than a follow.
There are so many fantastic artists out there, with unique styles that cover all aspects of life. Here are some of our faves…
@holliepoetry
Hollie McNish writes about topics so many of us can relate to – parenting small children, periods, sex, body image and social injustice all feature heavily in her poems. She has a funny, relatable style with a deep and emotional edge – perfect when you’re feeling the weight of the world and want to find solace in words.
@tatterhood_
Joanna Bennett writes poems and stories about new motherhood, self-discovery and grief, often with nature references. Her poems are whimsical, taking you on a journey through some of life’s most difficult experiences.
@langleav
Lang Leav’s simple, conversational poems about love and relationships are deeply relatable, whether you’re currently with someone or not. Her accessible style has garnered thousands of fans who fan comfort and friendship in her words.
TikTok
@christi.steyn
Christi’s feed is a brilliant mix of readings of work from contemporary and classic poets as well as her own work. With her passionate, evocative style and open personality, Christi makes even the most intense poetry super accessible – great if you’re new to this!
@livinginsong
We absolutely love the Cottagecore vibes of Poetry of Beauty’s whimsical feed, which matches poems with romantic imagery to really transport you into the feeling of the words.
@jewellboi
Ethan Jewell teams his lyrical poems with piano melodies for an engaging experience. Covering emotional topics like depression and anxiety, Ethan encourages self-care among his 700,000 followers and isn’t afraid to confront the emotions that poetry brings to the surface.
@michaelapoetry
We love Michaela Angemeer’s raw, honest depictions of modern dating and relationships, and her books When He Leaves You and You’ll Come Back to Yourself are total must-haves. Michaela also shares her personal poetry recommendations for her followers, selecting poems based on moods and situations.
