Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Best Poems of 2025

When I read a book of poems I keep a stack of placemarks handy. When a poem strikes me in the particular way that makes me want to return to it, I tuck in a placemark. If the poem continues to cling to me, I make it official. I hand copy the poem into a loose leaf binder. These are the poems I copied out in 2025.

John Grey ….. Danielle

Candace Pearson ….. My Brother Is Busy

Walt Whitman ….. “4. These I, singing in spring …” from Calamus (1860)

Walt Whitman ….. “11. When I heard at the close of day …” from Calamus (1860)

Walt Whitman ….. “23. This moment as I sit alone, yearning …” from Calamus (1860)

Walt Whitman ….. “29. One flitting glimipse …” from Calamus (1860)

Walt Whitman ….. “32. What think you I take my pen …” from Calamus (1860)

Walt Whitman ….. “43. O you whom I often and silently …” from Calamus (1860)

Walt Whitman ….. “45. 1. Full of life, sweet-blooded …” from Calamus (1860)

Walt Whitman ….. Behold This Swarthy Face

Walt Whitman ….. A March in the Ranks, Hard-Prest …

Walt Whitman ….. There Was a Child Went Forth

Walt Whitman ….. Thought

Al Young ….. The Dancer

Mariano Zaro ….. Red Swimsuits

2 comments:

martine said...

Why had that not occurred to me, many of my poetry books have little bits of paper sticking out of them. I am certainly going to in future, thanks

Jim Murdoch said...

I found a copy of 'My Brother Is Busy.' Striking. That would've stuck with me too.