Top Poetry Collections of the Year Shine a Light on Life's Big Questions
This year's crop of poetry collections offers some truly outstanding work, tackling big themes like depression, politics, identity, and the human condition.
Tom Paulin's long-awaited Namanlagh is his tenth collection, and it marks a significant shift in style for the veteran poet. Gone are the flashy linguistic fireworks that characterized his earlier work; instead, we're met with straightforward language that packs a powerful punch. The book's reflections on Northern Irish history and politics are given more bite than ever before.
But it's Paulin's private moments – like these tender lines from "Heed my cadences then and live only for now" – that really shine in Namanlagh. Here, we're treated to some profoundly affecting poetry that will linger long after the book is closed.
Sarah Howe's Foretokens is a brilliant return to form for one of the most exciting young poets around today. Her second collection sees her tackling the biggest subjects with her characteristic intelligence and wit – genetics, time's relativity, becoming a parent, and more – but also revealing a new level of anger in her voice that brings a welcome sharpness to these investigations.
Meanwhile, Joelle Taylor's Maryville takes on some big themes too, using a sweeping narrative to bring the history of lesbian culture and LGBTQ+ rights into sharp focus. The effect is both urgent and memorable, and what lingers most is the tenderness Taylor has for her characters – she knows that liberation never comes without cost.
If you're looking for something new from Nikita Gill, then Hekate is an excellent choice. This verse novel retells the life of the Greek goddess of plants, witchcraft, and more, using fast-flowing tercets and prose poems to propel us through its propulsive narrative. Though at times it may feel a bit flat, moments of insight are always within reach.
Lastly, Phoebe Giannisi's Goatsong is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of poetry to tackle big questions about identity, architecture, and what it means to be human. Here, we're treated to three distinct voices wrestling with the Greek gods – and what their myths might mean today – producing work that's both rigorously intellectual and deeply, beautifully physical.
Overall these collections are a testament to the enduring power of poetry to explore life's biggest questions in all their complexity and beauty. They will inspire you to pause, ponder, and live fully – and for that, we should be eternally grateful.
This year's crop of poetry collections offers some truly outstanding work, tackling big themes like depression, politics, identity, and the human condition.
Tom Paulin's long-awaited Namanlagh is his tenth collection, and it marks a significant shift in style for the veteran poet. Gone are the flashy linguistic fireworks that characterized his earlier work; instead, we're met with straightforward language that packs a powerful punch. The book's reflections on Northern Irish history and politics are given more bite than ever before.
But it's Paulin's private moments – like these tender lines from "Heed my cadences then and live only for now" – that really shine in Namanlagh. Here, we're treated to some profoundly affecting poetry that will linger long after the book is closed.
Sarah Howe's Foretokens is a brilliant return to form for one of the most exciting young poets around today. Her second collection sees her tackling the biggest subjects with her characteristic intelligence and wit – genetics, time's relativity, becoming a parent, and more – but also revealing a new level of anger in her voice that brings a welcome sharpness to these investigations.
Meanwhile, Joelle Taylor's Maryville takes on some big themes too, using a sweeping narrative to bring the history of lesbian culture and LGBTQ+ rights into sharp focus. The effect is both urgent and memorable, and what lingers most is the tenderness Taylor has for her characters – she knows that liberation never comes without cost.
If you're looking for something new from Nikita Gill, then Hekate is an excellent choice. This verse novel retells the life of the Greek goddess of plants, witchcraft, and more, using fast-flowing tercets and prose poems to propel us through its propulsive narrative. Though at times it may feel a bit flat, moments of insight are always within reach.
Lastly, Phoebe Giannisi's Goatsong is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of poetry to tackle big questions about identity, architecture, and what it means to be human. Here, we're treated to three distinct voices wrestling with the Greek gods – and what their myths might mean today – producing work that's both rigorously intellectual and deeply, beautifully physical.
Overall these collections are a testament to the enduring power of poetry to explore life's biggest questions in all their complexity and beauty. They will inspire you to pause, ponder, and live fully – and for that, we should be eternally grateful.
I'm so stoked about these new poetry collections! 
I mean, Tom Paulin's Namanlagh is like a punch in the gut - it's raw, honest, and unflinching 
. And Sarah Howe's Foretokens? Genius! 
She tackles the big questions with such wit and intelligence. 
. Joelle Taylor's Maryville is like a sweeping narrative that's both urgent and beautiful 
. Nikita Gill's Hekate is like a wild ride through mythology - sometimes it feels flat, but the moments of insight are so worth it 
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It's like three voices wrestling with the Greek gods and emerging with this stunningly beautiful work of poetry. I'm all about it! 
I'm so done with how quickly everyone expects poets to "find" themselves and grow up in just a few books... like Tom Paulin's Namanlagh is his tenth collection and now he's all of a sudden "found" himself? 
The guy has been writing for decades, people! He's been navigating the complexities of life and politics for years, what makes this book so different? It feels like we're just jumping on the bandwagon because it's his "tenth collection". 
I'm loving how 2025 is already shaping up to be an amazing year for poetry! 
! Sarah Howe's Foretokens is giving me LIFE with its intelligence and wit 
, and Joelle Taylor's Maryville is like a masterclass in storytelling 
️! It's all just so inspiring to see these poets using their words to explore the human condition 
!
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love the way sarah howe's voice has gotten sharper over time too, it's like she's not afraid to get angry and confront her own feelings 
just read about new poetry collections and honestly, it feels like things are gonna get worse before they get better... depression, politics, identity issues on full display 
these poets are tackling big questions but what's the point if life keeps getting more complicated? 
at least some of them are speaking their truth tho 
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I'm only reading this now because everyone else seems to have beaten me to it lol. Anyway, I gotta say, I'm loving the diversity of themes in these collections - depression, politics, identity... it's like poets are finally feeling free to tackle the big questions 
. And I'm especially intrigued by Nikita Gill's Hekate, I mean, who knew Greek mythology could be so wild and wonderful? 
. And I love how she tackles big subjects like genetics and time's relativity with such ease. The anger in her voice is like a breath of fresh air 
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. It's not always easy to read, but that's what makes it so rewarding, you know?
what I love most about these collections though is how they're all so different yet still manage to speak to each other on a deeper level... it's like they're having a conversation 
. His writing has always been about conveying the weight of his experiences, and I think Namanlagh proves that he's still got it down pat.
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. It's like, can't these poets just write their hearts out without having to nickel-and-dime us? And don't even get me started on the whole "best of the year" thing - it feels like they're trying too hard to make it sound exclusive 
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. I think what I love most about poetry is how it can make us feel less alone in our questions and doubts