Now and Then, Mothers and Daughters, Sonnets and Sequences: Seven Poetry Books to Read This Month

The article highlights how seven contemporary poets use memory and history to understand the present moment.

These poets examine personal and collective pasts to make sense of today’s complex world.

For instance, Tina Chang, Brenda Hillman, and Layli Long Soldier focus on the relationships between mothers and daughters, while Erin Belieu reflects on a lifetime of memories.

Samuel Amadon and two translations—of Mirabai’s poems and Radu Vancu’s work—also engage with history to illuminate the present.

The poets emphasize the importance of paying attention to the present, even in its darkness, as a way to navigate uncertainty.

The article suggests that understanding our origins and connections can help us find meaning in a chaotic world.