Picture this: you’re sitting in English class once again when the teacher announces that the class will be analyzing poetry today. A mumbled groan arises from the class- not again…

All too often the poetry unit marks the most dreaded time for English students- but why is that? When in English class, we analyze long, convoluted poems written decades- even centuries- ago; poetry of the greats- the classics. But what of the up-and-coming? Although it is important to pay homage to the classics and honor the amazing poets of history, this often leads us students to forget that there are people alive now who also make poetry (which is usually much more relatable and engaging for us than the works of poets from so long ago).

April marks National Poetry Month- frequently a time to explore poetry in the classroom and beyond. In honor of this month of exploring and celebrating the power of written and spoken word, let’s try to change the stereotypical view of poetry- and poets. Let’s take a look at some modern poets…

Harry Baker, the world’s youngest Poetry Slam Champion is my favorite modern poet. I like to refer to this guy as the “most famous poet you never heard of” because of his many accomplishments but his limited following. By his twenties, Baker has already managed to win the London and UK Poetry Slam Championships, become the youngest ever World Slam Poetry Championship winner, tour the world performing and hosting poetry workshops, publish a poetry book (called The Sunshine Kid), given multiple TEDTalks (his most famous one has already garnered over two million views), and so much more. What makes him so unique is the relatability of his works. Harry has written poetry that people of all interests can enjoy. His poem 59 tells a love story about lonely prime numbers, Dinosaur Love explains the awkwardness of saying “I love you” through a chain of dinosaur metaphors, The Scientist and the Bumblebee explains the importance of confidence through a tale about how scientists once proved that bumblees couldn’t fly, Paper People points out the faults of governments that don’t listen to their people through a long chain of alliterations. There are obviously so many more amazing poems that I could write about but I think you get the point here- his poems are really for everyone. Harry’s quirky personality also adds to his intriguing persona- there is never a dull moment in his performances. If you ever get the chance to see him perform (although he mostly performs in the UK region), go! I promise that you’ll see through his dinosaur roars, his rapper-style, his love of puns, his beautiful insight, why he is my favorite.

An interesting duo can be found in Phil Kaye and Sarah Kay. This pair met one day only to find that they coincidentally share almost their whole lives in common. In their poem, An Origin Story, they explain their similar backgrounds, the surprise it was to find that they shared almost the same last name and that their siblings had the same names, and so forth. The male-female duo offer refreshing perspectives on what it means to be a woman and a man, and platonic friends of opposite genders. Together, they tell cultural stories of their backgrounds and their unique experiences. Separately, they also perform their individual poetry across the world and have published their own works. Sarah and Phil also have individual TEDTalks, as well as partnered performances which can be found online.

Another modern poet who has been a recent discovery for me is Olivia Gatwood. (I had to include her here because she is also a fellow Long-Islander.) An obvious feminist, Olivia voices her opinions on what it means to be a woman in this day and age and how that definition is beginning to change through her empowering words. In her poem, Ode to the Women on Long Island, she shares what it is like to grow up in the suburbs of New York, explaining our story and our culture to the world. She also likes to play on surprising metaphors in poems such as When I Say That We Are All Teen Girls, or explore the what-ifs of utopian worlds such as in her Alternate Universe in Which I Am Unfazed by the Men Who do not Love Me. Olivia Gatwood’s radical words are an inspiration to young women everywhere (especially those from Long Island).

Now, I hope that you realize that all of the poets I have just shared with you are relatively young and speak about many things from funny experiences to pertinent issues in our society today. What I really want to point out is that poetry could easily be for everyone, if you want it to be. Also, these up-and-coming poets are really easy to access on platforms such as Button Poetry on YouTube, TEDTalks, and social media, as well as in their published books. Although it is important to reflect on the Shakespeares of our past, it is even more important to search for the Shakespeares of our present.

Before I leave you here, I want to give you a little heads up: here at Patchogue-Medford High School, English teacher Mrs. Wesnofske has been encouraging students to explore the art form through an annual Poetry Slam. This event draws in students from all different backgrounds to perform poems based on a wide variety of topics. Overall, it is an amazing night and an amazing opportunity to meet new people with whom you will have something to speak about every time you pass in the hallway for the next few years. I participated in the event in both my freshman and sophomore years and can definitely speak to this truth that I am still stopped in the hallway by others who remember my poems and vice versa. This year,the slam will take place on Thursday, April 12 at 6pm in the auditorium (which will be converted to a cafe-style setting). If you’re even the slightest bit curious about spoken word poetry, I encourage you to come to cheer on your peers and make new friends!