Junction Books

Nothing is better than discovering a new favorite poet. Well, some people might disagree, but probably not the readers of this site. One of the best ways to explore a variety of poets is through a poetry anthology. Their higher prices belie their true value: offering you tantalizing tastes of fresh new voices and ideas. Here are a few of our recent favorites.Poems for the Millenium Vol. 3: The University of California Book of Romantic & Postromantic Poetry, ed. Jeffrey Robinson & Jerome Rothenburg, 80: For editors Jeffrey Robinson and Jerome Rothenberg, romanticism in poetry is defined as “experimental and visionary.” The poetry in this collection stems from different eras of the twentieth century and offers numerous experiments with form, sound, and imagery from both expected (Samuel Beckett, James Joyce) and unexpected (John Cage, Nathaniel Mackey).The Horse Has Six Legs: An Anthology of Serbian Poetry, ed. Charles Simic, 18: Charles Simic, who himself grew up in Serbia, offers an updated version of his groundbreaking 1992 anthology, including six new voices. The poets all date from before World War II, and some date back to ancient folk traditions. At over 250 pages, this collection is one of the more affordably-priced out there, and is a great introduction to poets that many Americans have never heard before.The Ecco Anthology of International Poetry, ed. Ilya Kaminsky & Susan Harris, 20: This extensive collection is offered in a partnership with Words Without Borders, an online site for connecting writers from all nations. It illustrates that the art of translating poetry is alive and strong, and that poetic voices can reach out across language barriers and still touch a universal heart. Many of these poems are appearing in English for the first time.