Poetry Books

How to Get Started with Poetry

A reader’s guide to discovering modern poetry through Brick Cave Media

Poetry is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of storytelling. Long before novels and movies, poetry helped people explore identity, love, culture, grief, humor, and imagination. The right poetry collection can feel intensely personal—sometimes like someone put words to feelings you didn’t know how to express.

At Brick Cave Media, poetry has been central to the publisher’s mission for decades. The company’s roots go back to the poetry community of the 1990s, when the team behind Brick Cave began publishing work through Anthology magazine, surrounding themselves with talented poets and storytellers. 

Whether you're new to poetry or returning after years away, the books below provide great starting points for exploring the variety of voices in the Brick Cave catalog.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to see a list of ALL of Brick Cave's Poetry selections, or read on for a guided recommendation journey.

Start with Accessible, Personal Poetry

If you’re new to poetry, begin with collections that focus on human stories, emotions, and lived experience.

Recommended Starting Points

Body. Mind. Voice. Mouth. — Louise Robertson
A powerful collection exploring art, love, and loss through deeply layered poems that examine how life’s experiences shape us. 

Yud’s Child — Joanne Gull
A reflective journey through life’s encounters and relationships, inspired by the idea that every traveler we meet shapes our story. 

In Case You Didn’t Hear Me the First Time — Sharon Skinner
Award-winning poetry and prose that blends powerful emotional insight with lyrical storytelling.

These books are excellent for readers who enjoy thoughtful, reflective writing and want to see how poetry can capture life’s turning points.

Explore Bold Voices and Cultural Commentary

Poetry often serves as commentary on culture, identity, and society. Several Brick Cave titles push boundaries while remaining engaging and approachable.

Recommended Reads

Urban Contemporary History Month — Scott Woods
A dynamic exploration of identity, culture, and social issues told through witty, intellectually sharp poems. 

Black Night Is Falling — Scott Woods
Described as a “book-shaped blues album,” this collection blends humor, grief, and cultural observation into powerful poetic storytelling. 

These books are perfect if you enjoy poetry that is energetic, socially aware, and grounded in modern cultural experience.

Discover Experimental and Creative Forms

Some poetry collections challenge traditional structure and explore new ways of telling stories through verse.

Recommended Reads

My Identity as a Stereotypical Side Character — Marcus S. Campbell
A uniquely structured collection presented in a dual-perspective format exploring identity, memory, and personal narrative. 

Corporate Boiler Plate Vinegar — Patrick Hare
A large collection of poems that boldly say what people often think but rarely say out loud.

These collections show how poetry can stretch beyond conventional forms into visual structure, experimental storytelling, and unconventional themes.

Experience Poetry from Established Voices

Brick Cave has published poets who have built strong reputations in the literary world.

Recommended Read

The Naming Of — Louise Robertson
A sophisticated collection praised for its intellectual precision and emotional depth.

See them on any of our Stores

A quick click of the button and you can open up the poetry section of the corresponding store and see the titles together. Of course, you can explore the titles here on the sight and read more about them. Additionally, each book listing has links to many more stores and formats available for the books, so explore away!