As part of our celebration of National Poetry Month, we sent out an email to the English department and asked them a single question: “What is your favorite poem, and/or who is your favorite poet, and why?” Here are a few more of the answers we’ve received.

Kseniya Walcott, a student in our M.A. English: TESL/TEFL program, answered: “My favorite poem is ‘The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock’ by T.S. Eliot. I have always loved this poem because it expresses the sweet melancholy that comes with navigating one’s way through life and love. I particularly admire it because T.S. Eliot has a gift in identifying the complicated nuances that come with relationships. The language of this poem is just as sharp and incisive as it is eloquent and will always be my favorite piece that he’s written.”

Lindsey Bush, also student in our M.A. English: TESL/TEFL program, said, “My favorite poem is by Emily Dickinson and ‘There is no Frigate like a Book’ goes as follows:

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry –
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll –
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul –

The reason this is my favorite poem is that it was one I discovered as a kid and loved. I found it to exactly express how I feel about books and stories. I’ve since memorized it and kept it as a reminder of how incredible books and stories are in my life.”

Mary Ellen Sanger, Associate Director of the Community Literacy Center, responded: “I could spend too much time figuring out who or what is my favorite… Wislawa Szymborska because she can be playful and tragic in one breath? Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (Mexico’s Tenth Muse), because it’s fun to read out loud a poem that includes the words “foolish men?” because so many of her poems work as prompts for new poems? Camille Dungy because, besides being an extraordinary poet, she is ours and my friend? Any poet from SpeakOut! because s/he is brave? Warsan Shire because “Home” makes me cry every time? OK – that poem.”