Five Women Poets to Read on World Poetry Day 2024 (and beyond!)
21st March 2024 marks World Poetry Day, and we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the enduring power of verse and the voices that have shaped it through the ages. Among these luminaries are five extraordinary women poets whose words continue to resonate with readers.
Sappho: The Poetic Muse of Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, Sappho's lyrical verses captivated audiences with their beauty and depth. Hailing from the island of Lesbos, Sappho's poetry explored themes of love, desire, and the complexities of the human heart. Despite the passage of millennia, her words remain a testament to the enduring nature of love and longing, with her becoming an iconic figure on LGBTQ+ literature.
Our Sappho enamel pin features a translated fragement of her verse.
Maya Angelou: The Voice of Strength and Resilience
Maya Angelou's poetry embodied the spirit of resilience and empowerment with her civil rights activism. Through works like "Still I Rise" and "Phenomenal Woman," she uplifted generations with her powerful voice and unwavering determination. Angelou's poetry continues to inspire and empower individuals to find strength in the face of adversity.
Qiu Jin: The Revolutionary Poet of China
Qiu Jin's poetry echoed the cries for freedom and equality during a tumultuous period in China's history. As a feminist and revolutionary, she fearlessly challenged societal norms through her writing, advocating for women's rights and liberation until her excecution in 1907. Qiu Jin's poetry remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
Anne Brontë: The Quiet Rebel of Victorian Literature
Anne Brontë, often overshadowed by her sisters, left an indelible mark on Victorian literature with her introspective and poignant poetry. Through her poetry she explored themes of morality, love, and the human condition with remarkable depth and sensitivity.
Our Anne Brontë enamel pin features a quote from her poem, The Narrow Way.
Sylvia Plath: The Poet of Raw Emotion and Intensity
Sylvia Plath's haunting poetry delved into the depths of the human psyche, grappling with themes of mental illness, identity, and existential despair. With works like "Ariel" and "Lady Lazarus," she laid bare her innermost thoughts and emotions, leaving behind a legacy of raw honesty and unflinching introspection.
Our Sylvia Plath pin takes inspiration for her poem, The Jailer.
Our Women's Poet enamel pin collection pays homage to these five remarkable women poets whose words continue inspire us this World Poetry Day and beyond. May their poetry serve as a beacon of hope, resilience, and understanding for generations to come.
