POETRY: Editors' Picks
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April 2026
In celebration of National Poetry Month, our editors have put their heads together to create a list of inspiring women poets for readers to explore. We've selected some historical and iconic favorites as well as some who have appeared in Sanctuary.
We'd also like readers to visit POETRY CORNER. We have new poetry selections this month by Sarah Hanson. Later this month, readers will find a Q&A with Sarah regarding her book of poems Conjuring the Hurricane in our April Community Compass. |
Those we've studied often...
Maya Angelou (1928-2014):
Maya is known for her deeply personal poems that speak to Black womanhood as well as her dynamic performances of poetry.
Interesting Tidbit:
Maya was invited to compose and deliver a poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” for the inauguration of U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1993.
A Poem to Share:
"Still I Rise"
Maya is known for her deeply personal poems that speak to Black womanhood as well as her dynamic performances of poetry.
Interesting Tidbit:
Maya was invited to compose and deliver a poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” for the inauguration of U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1993.
A Poem to Share:
"Still I Rise"
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
Emily is known for her poetry that did not comply with conventional restraints.
Interesting Tidbit:
Scholars continue to research Emily’s romantic life, particularly as it pertains to her “Master Letters,” three passionate letters written to a still-unidentified person addressed as “Master.”
A Poem to Share:
"'Hope' is the thing with feathers
Emily is known for her poetry that did not comply with conventional restraints.
Interesting Tidbit:
Scholars continue to research Emily’s romantic life, particularly as it pertains to her “Master Letters,” three passionate letters written to a still-unidentified person addressed as “Master.”
A Poem to Share:
"'Hope' is the thing with feathers
Sylvia Plath (1932-1963)
Sylvia is known for poetry expressing her battle with severe depression.
Interesting Tidbit:
In the final months of her life, just before she committed suicide, she wrote poetry prolifically.
A Poem to Share:
"Lady Lazarus"
Sylvia is known for poetry expressing her battle with severe depression.
Interesting Tidbit:
In the final months of her life, just before she committed suicide, she wrote poetry prolifically.
A Poem to Share:
"Lady Lazarus"
Adrienne Rich (1929-2012)
Adrienne is known for poetry that explores identity, sexuality and politics.
Interesting Tidbit:
In 1973, in the midst of the Civil Rights movements, the Vietnam War, and her own personal distress, Adrienne wrote Diving into the Wreck, which garnered her the National Book Award (1974).
She accepted the award on behalf of all women and shared it with her fellow nominees, Alice Walker and Audre Lorde.
A Poem to Share:
"What Kind of Times are These?
Adrienne is known for poetry that explores identity, sexuality and politics.
Interesting Tidbit:
In 1973, in the midst of the Civil Rights movements, the Vietnam War, and her own personal distress, Adrienne wrote Diving into the Wreck, which garnered her the National Book Award (1974).
She accepted the award on behalf of all women and shared it with her fellow nominees, Alice Walker and Audre Lorde.
A Poem to Share:
"What Kind of Times are These?
Contemporary...
Lucia Cherciu
Lucia, an American Romanian poet, is known for writing poems both in her native language and English, often evoking what it means to be split between two worlds.
Interesting Tidbit:
Lucia's latest book of poetry, Geraniums in the Studio, is filled with natural imagery and dedicated to the painter Betty Ross.
A Poem to Share:
"You Missed the Bus"
Lucia, an American Romanian poet, is known for writing poems both in her native language and English, often evoking what it means to be split between two worlds.
Interesting Tidbit:
Lucia's latest book of poetry, Geraniums in the Studio, is filled with natural imagery and dedicated to the painter Betty Ross.
A Poem to Share:
"You Missed the Bus"
Known to Sanctuary readers...
Mare Leonard
Mare is known for her free verse poetry exuding keen wit and quirky observations.
Interesting Tidbit:
Mare inspired Sanctuary's Poetry Corner and was the editor of that section from its launch in 2020 through 2022. She is a longtime mentor to Myrna Haskell, Sanctuary's executive editor.
A Poem to Share:
"Meditation on Ageing"
Mare is known for her free verse poetry exuding keen wit and quirky observations.
Interesting Tidbit:
Mare inspired Sanctuary's Poetry Corner and was the editor of that section from its launch in 2020 through 2022. She is a longtime mentor to Myrna Haskell, Sanctuary's executive editor.
A Poem to Share:
"Meditation on Ageing"
Bettina "Gold" Wilkerson (a.k.a. Poet Gold)
Known locally as a gifted performance poet who artfully shares insights about human existence, Bettina was appointed the 2017 and 2018 New York State Dutchess County Poet Laureate.
Interesting Tidbit:
In an interview with Sanctuary, Poet Gold says, "I use words for people to see beyond the violence."
A Poem to Share:
'Original spoken word piece' at the African-American Artists of the Hudson Valley Reception (Beacon, 2017)
Known locally as a gifted performance poet who artfully shares insights about human existence, Bettina was appointed the 2017 and 2018 New York State Dutchess County Poet Laureate.
Interesting Tidbit:
In an interview with Sanctuary, Poet Gold says, "I use words for people to see beyond the violence."
A Poem to Share:
'Original spoken word piece' at the African-American Artists of the Hudson Valley Reception (Beacon, 2017)
Elizabeth Fowler Sullivan
Now in her mid 90s, Elizabeth is known as an accomplished poet whose poems are often accompanied by music she has composed.
Interesting Tidbit:
A special Mother's Day performance in 2003 titled “Mother of Singers - Mistress of Song,” featured Elizabeth Sullivan with daughter K.T. Sullivan (a cabaret star who was featured in Sanctuary) and the Sullivan Family Singers.
A Poem to Share:
"Waiting in the Wings"
Now in her mid 90s, Elizabeth is known as an accomplished poet whose poems are often accompanied by music she has composed.
Interesting Tidbit:
A special Mother's Day performance in 2003 titled “Mother of Singers - Mistress of Song,” featured Elizabeth Sullivan with daughter K.T. Sullivan (a cabaret star who was featured in Sanctuary) and the Sullivan Family Singers.
A Poem to Share:
"Waiting in the Wings"
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Upcoming Event: Arts Mid Hudson's "Artists Respond to Poetry" is open through April 12. Artist Talk Closing Reception: April 12 ~ 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This exhibit features 20 poets and 20 visual artists who have responded to a selected poem through their own art. |
