The 5: Poets That May Surprise You

This Week On The 5: Poets You Can Get Into Even If You’re Not An English Major

For some reason a lot of you were trained to think you can’t enjoy poetry. Maybe you were introduced to classical poets too young and it turned you off. Maybe you bought into that playground bullshit that made you think poetry was for dicks. None of that matters now because you’re all grown up and it’s a perfect time to try again. You don’t even have to read…just listen. Here are five poets that may change your mind about poetry.

Allen Ginsburg. Allen Ginsburg is the Beat Generation poet who kept the torch alive though the 60’s and 70’s. Google him and he becomes a Forrest Gump type figure as he is seen with Dylan, The Clash , Patti Smith and just about every creative person of the second half of the 20th century. Click here (or scroll down) to listen to Allen Ginsburg read “America“.
Jim Carroll. Jim Carroll is the Punk moment’s true poet. He wrote street poetry and was published in the Paris Review when he was still in his teens. His novel The Basketball Diaries was a commercial and critical hit and went on to be a major motion picture. He started a band and recorded music including the anthem People Who Died. Click here (or scroll down) to hear him read (from the film Poetry in Motion).
Billy Collins. The New York Times called Billy Collins the most popular poet in America. He was the American Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003. He read his poem “The Names” about the victims of 9/11 for a special joint session of the United States Congress. In 2005, when he recorded Billy Collins live, he was brought to the stage by his friend Bill Murray. Click here (or scroll down) to listen to a narration of “Japan”
Saul Williams. Saul Williams is a poet, musician writer and actor and you can hear hip hop through out his poetry. He starred in the 1998 film poetry film Slam. Musically he has worked with hip hop stars as well as Nine Inch Nails. He’s also had an album co produced by Trent Reznor. Click here to check out Saul’s “Ohm” or scroll down below.
Maya Angelou. Yeah we know….The Clintons and Oprah. Ok now wipe the smirk off your face and dig into her work. She will be taught in schools long after you are dead and gone, and you get to walk the earth while she’s still here. She has swagger and her words can cut and heal. She has a life of experience and can turn her feelings into words drawing out your feelings. Just click here (or scroll down below) and keep an open mind.