The best poetry books from Next Chapter [March 2023]
Poetry is a form of literature that uses language to evoke emotions, express ideas, and create images in the reader's mind. It is a unique art form that is often characterized by its use of rhythm, rhyme, and metaphor. Poetry can take many forms, from sonnets and haikus to free verse and slam poetry. Regardless of the form, poetry is a powerful tool for self-expression and communication.
One of the most defining characteristics of poetry is its ability to use language to create imagery and evoke emotions. Through carefully chosen words and phrases, poets can paint vivid pictures in the minds of their readers, transporting them to different times, places, and emotions. This allows poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience in a way that few other forms of writing can.
In addition to its artistic and emotional appeal, poetry can also serve as a powerful tool for social and political change. Throughout history, poets have used their work to challenge the status quo, call attention to injustices, and inspire others to take action. From Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" to Langston Hughes's "Harlem," poetry has played an important role in amplifying marginalized voices and advocating for a more just and equitable society.
On this page, we’ve collected some of the best poetry books from Next Chapter authors, as of March 2023. The collections on this page encompass a variety of topics: love, death, happiness and fear, joy and sorrow. No matter your taste, we believe you’ll enjoy these collections from our authors.
If you enjoy one of the stories below, please don’t forget to leave the author a review! Don’t agree with our choices? Please leave a comment and let us know your favorite :)
Books featured on this page
Whispers In Verse by Cynthia A. Morgan
Book excerpt
As the Breathless Sky , in Softness, Awaits
The Loving Kiss of the Morning Sun,
Whispers Hover in the Shadowy Mists,
Singing in Harmony with the Renewal Begun.
As the Breathless Morning, lingering, Sighs
In Quiet, Delicate Shades and Hues,
My Waking Soul Draws a Perfect Breath,
Remember Love in the Beauty of Truth.
Breathlessness beats in Serene Accord
With the Pounding Rhythm of my Soaring Heart,
To Stand on the Mountain, in Veneration,
And Breathe in Love before the Day Starts.
A Book For Pandora by Kathryn Rossati
Book excerpt
Forked, flecked like an
open mouth covered in spittle
in the midst
of an argument.
It sits in the shade,
biding its time,
watching for the perfect moment.
A suggestion here,
a remark there,
growing and growing
like a green, coiled snake
guarding every movement,
day and night.
Dark Days by Chris Botragyi
Book excerpt
Tick tock tick tock, the pendulum swings bright
As children of all ages gaze into the light
With one eye open when both should be shut
They wait excitedly for the black booted strut
As midnight approaches, along with the snow
He lands in your living room with only one place to go
Soot from the chimney scattered evenly wide
He crouches unsuspectingly, laying parcels with pride
After emptying his sack and filling your stocking
He takes a welcome break in a wooden chair that’s rocking
And after tucking into mince pies and a glass of sherry
He vanishes without a trace, leaving all things merry
Children now fast asleep know they came ever so near
To seeing Father Christmas, oh well, they’ll have to wait till next year.
Orchids & Neurons by Ellyn Peirson
Book excerpt
white orchid
barely here, exquisite
translucency. breath of
angels and mirror of
other dimensions, perched in
the interval between, spanning
spanning now and
eternity with the breath and
fragrance of God.
ephemeral
when purple stands against the light
and blooms above the soft spring green,
she croons, this wistful purple sprite,
petals translucent, serene
the conversation, the soft garden talk of friends,
long after only the shadows and empty cups remained,
lingered over the table, mingling with the
scents of thyme and lilac…
If We Could Hold Up The Sky by Kathryn Rossati
Book excerpt
Your legs are folded in half lotus, a solid base
to reflect upon the long hours we spend apart,
searching to change the shape of our timelines.
Adjust the slots forming our rigid contracts.
As you muse, the walls separating us decay,
while simultaneously, new ones are built elsewhere.
Co-workers ask for every detail; with each question,
you lay another brick
to shut their gossiping tongues out.
They think your ears are equipped to take their remarks,
but their incessantness and authority’s cold words
have you crumbling inside,
water building pressure,
pushing against the dam of your eyes.
The clock’s ticking is constant,
and each day brings you closer to breaking.
When you do, the flood of raw feelings
will be the only thing that makes them accept
they’ve gone too far.
Tonight by Natalie J. Case
Book excerpt
pieces of who I am
who I thought I was
scattered across
a lifetime of moments
scribbled in crayon on dinner napkins
like the phone number
of a one night stand
forgotten the next day
lost in muttered phrases
repeating unending in the corners of my brain
tossed around with
all the pieces of those
I have passed along the way
in some lucid daydream
of wildflowers with faces
that I pick and choose
collecting myself together again
in the basket of my soul
reclaiming the pieces
of who I am
A Collection Of Recollections by Jennifer Schneider
Book excerpt
Julianna.
A June baby, always greeting
the world in her Jovial way.
Jubilant, Jabbering.
Typically Jaunty. Joyful.
Juliette.
Another June baby,
a few minutes Julianna’s Junior.
But Jinxed, always gathering
the world’s troubles in her Jaded way.
Jaundiced and Jumpy. Juvenile.
Just Me.
Also Jinxed. Always Juggling.
A Janitor. Prone to Judging.
Often Jealous. Of what, I never know.
Now Jailed.
Body Of Winter by Brian Prousky
Book excerpt
Still the green stalks thicken and still they rise
up stakes,
drawing what they can
from the black earth and swollen sun.
We pity them,
the thickening stalks without intuition,
striving regardless,
too weak to hold up their lulling tomatoes
or escape from us
preventing their spines from snapping.
They are—because we made them so—
the purest examples of our mastery over the land
and, as such, we are their parents
while our own children would rather
snap in half
than live for a moment
with our hands on their backs
holding them upright.
There you have it - the best poetry books from Next Chapter in 03/2023. We hope you enjoy the stories - and if you do, please leave a comment below, or a review in Goodreads or your favorite store. We’d love to hear from you!
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