Poetry is not dead! According to the NEA, poetry readership reached a fifteen year high in 2017. And young readers are leading the charge. Readership more than doubled for the 18-24 age group. Let's keep this trend going in 2019 and read some poetry.
We've compiled a list of young, upcoming poets (all under the age of 25) to encourage and inspire you in your own writing. Our list features some incredible writers with diverse backgrounds and fresh perspectives. Power Poetry is proud to present 7 Under 25: Young Poets to Watch.
Top Young Poets Under 25 to Watch
- Donte Collins: Donte Collins is a twenty-three-year-old spoken word genius. This self-described "Queer, Black, American Poet" was the first St. Paul Youth Poet Laureate. Their work challenges established power structures and explores the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. Check out their spoken word pieces as well as their published work.
- Gabrielle Grace Hogan: Gabrielle Hogan is a St. Louis native with an impressive publication list. She's twenty-two years old and is already pursuing an MFA at the University of Texas at Austin. Hogan is a proud lesbian poet. Her poetry brims with rich imagery and intense emotion.
- Christell Victoria Roach: Christell Victoria Roach is and Emory grad and Power Poetry alum (username chrisy10123)! The Miami-born poet has been winning acclaim for her first chapbook (a small collection of poetry), featuring the poems "On the End of Mango Season" and "Still Falling Fruit." Roach's award-winning work highlights the experience of Black women in America and their long overlooked history.
- John Bosworth: While a senior at the University of Texas, Austin, John Bosworth won the 2018 Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank Most Promising Young Poet Award. His winning entry, "A Boy Can Wear a Dress" explores themes of individuality and gender noncomformity through razor sharp verse.
- Cathrine Valdez: Catherine Valdez is a Dominican-American poet from Miami. Her debut chapbook, Imperial Debris in Quisqueya and Beyond, revolves around America's colonial legacy and the remnants of that history lingering throughout the Caribbean. Valdez writes intimate poetry about the connections between language, place, and culture.
- Christina Im: Christina Im's poetry juxtaposes mythic figures and imagery with the urgent emotion of contemporary life. This Korean-American poet has been writing since high school. Currently she is an undergraduate of Princeton University.
- Sophia Paquette: Sophia Paquette's poems are feminist anthems for a new generation. A high school student at the Interlochen Arts Academy, she is the co-editor in chief of the Interlochen Review. Paquette is the youngest poet on this list, but she's already producing vibrant, timely, electric verse.
We hope you enjoyed this list! If you're looking for more poetry to read, check out our list of 9 Inspiring Instagram Poets to Follow in 2019.