In recent days, slam poetry, spoken word poetry and short, meaningful little blips of poems have become very popular. Websites such as Button Poetry thrive on this newfound appreciation of the written and/or spoken word as art, and for good reason. Not only are the authors that contribute to such websites and organizations incredibly talented, they also create works of art woven from words that touch people no matter where they're at in life. Collected here are a few poets that are gaining lots of recognition (or deserve it!) for every poetry lover.
1. Rupi Kaur
Kaur's book, Milk and Honey , gained quite a bit of recognition when it first came out. The poems are not only profoundly interesting but are full of emotion and are often short enough to stick in your head long after you've closed the book. The poems are also oftentimes accompanied by small illustrations that add to the artistic effect of the entire book.
2. Neil Hilborn
Hilborn's book, Our Numbered Days , is fairly new on the shelves, but his work has been recognized for much longer. His spoken-word poetry videos are compelling and emotional, highlighting mental illnesses and love and loss and everything in between. Turning the pages of Our Numbered Days will be a truly unique experience even for a seasoned poetry lover, as Hilborn's mind is unlike any other.
3. Tyler Knott Gregson
Gregson has a collection of poems known as the Typewriter Series, which combine aesthetic with powerful words and phrases that leave you pondering life and love and self and all that comes with these things. The sometimes smudged lettering of the typewriter font brings the reader back to a different age while the words ring true regardless of the background paper chosen.
4. Alexandra Elle
Elle's book, Neon Soul , is a collection of both poetry and prose. This author is particularly empowering to women, much like Kaur's works are, and her works are oftentimes just short enough to make their point but leave a hint of their ideas lingering in your brain. Elle speaks of healing and lessons learned, of love and self-empowerment, truly a good read for anyone who may be feeling a little lost.
5. R.M. Drake
Drake has an extensive collection of books to his name, ranging from poetry to prose and everything in between. His quotes are often very compelling and catchy, and his short stories are very well written and make the reader think long after they've finished reading. His prose and poetry are often separated into small chunks and accompanied by pictures like Kaur's works, making easy reading and emphasizing meaning all at the same time.
