Today, March 21, is World Poetry Day. Adopted by Unesco during its 30th general conference in Paris in 1999, it aims to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increase the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.
There is no better day to appreciate the beauty of poems and their inherent ability to touch the human heart. Here are four poets who used their gifts to boldly make a difference.
1. Gwendolyn Brooks
“Annie Allen”, a book of poetry about an African-American girl as she matures to adulthood, made Gwendolyn Brooks the first Black Pulitzer Prizewinner when she won the award for poetry in 1950.
It is said her poems, generally centred on the lives of her community, shed greater understanding on African-American culture.
Born in 1917 in Kansas, Brooks grew up in Chicago and began writing when she was young, receiving encouragement from her schoolteacher mother. She was only 13 when her poem “Eventide” was published in “American Childhood” magazine.
She was also the poet laureate for the state of Illinois, during which time she organised poetry activities for underserved areas in Chicago, and encouraged young writers until her passing in 2000.
2. Langston Hughes
American poet Langston Hughes was an influential figure during the Harlem renaissance of the early 20th century – a period of African-American cultural revival, especially in the creative arts.
His work provides insight into the life of African Americans, one in particular – “Harlem (A Dream Deferred)” – being especially powerful:
Published in his book “Montage of a Dream Deferred”, it leaves vivid images in one’s mind about the consequences of having dreams put on hold.
Hughes is also known as one of the forerunners of “jazz poetry” – verses read to the accompaniment of jazz music. He died in 1967 in New York City.
3. Li Qingzhao
Li Qingzhao was a female poet from China who wrote during the Song Dynasty in the 12th century. In a time when women were discouraged from writing, Li did otherwise and would often write about political and military issues.
“The Works of Li Qingzhao” by Ronald Egan, professor of East Asian languages and cultures at Stanford University, describes how, at age 17, Li wrote two poems that criticised imperial conduct and policy.
Born into a literary family, she produced a total of seven volumes of essays and six volumes of poetry. Sadly, with the exception of some poetry fragments, most of her work is lost today.
4. John Milton
The son of a composer, John Milton was born in 1608 in London. He graduated from Christ’s College, Cambridge, with both Bachelor’s and Master of Arts degrees.
His epic poem “Paradise Lost” was first published in 1667, spanning 10 books and more than 10,000 lines. It concerns the biblical story of the fall of man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by Satan, and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
“Paradise Lost” was subsequently arranged into 12 books in the second edition that was published in 1674.
Through his works, Milton supported a political philosophy that opposed tyranny and state-sanctioned religion. He advocated for the abolition of the Church of England and the execution of King Charles I.
He also addressed the topic of freedom of the press in his pamphlet titled “Areopagitica”, published in 1644. It is further believed Milton had influence over the American and French revolutions. He died in 1674.