Borrow This Book: Poetry magazines reflect our world
Published 3:30 am Thursday, September 17, 2026
Contemporary poetry can be surprisingly relatable and relevant, offering an alternative to the poetry you might remember from school. I’ve found that a refreshing way to learn about current poets and their influences is to pick up poetry magazines at the library. The accessible format helps me discover poems that resonate with me in the moment.
The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) carries two poetry magazines in print: Poetry Northwest and Poetry. You can place holds on past editions for checkout at any branch or browse the newest copies in the Port Angeles Main Library. Poetry magazine is also one of more than 6,000 digital magazines available through the Libby app, free to use with your library card.
Poetry Northwest, published twice per year, is the oldest poetry-focused literary magazine in the Pacific Northwest. Featuring regional, national and international poets of note — including Raymond Carver, James Welch, Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver and more — Poetry Northwest is a gem in our state’s literary landscape. Within its pages, readers will find established and emerging poets, book reviews, essays on poetics and visual art features.
Poetry magazine is a compact monthly publication by the Poetry Foundation. As we approach Resilience Month in October, I’m reminded of a grouping of poems on the theme of resilience in the summer edition. The section “Broken Lines: A Gathering of Exiled Poets” showcases works by authors from nine different countries who have dealt with persecution, war or genocide. These could be difficult poems to read; however, they gave me perspective on experiences outside of my own.
The final poem of this section, “Tombstones Are Greedy” by Sarah Mkhonza, stuck with me in particular. It focuses on the act of arriving in a cemetery to visit a loved one who has passed on and feeling that the other graves want your attention too.
Explore further with the library’s selection of poetry books, from anthologies and single-author collections to guides on how to write your own poetry. I recommend these works available through NOLS by poets featured in the summer edition of Poetry magazine:
• “Something about Living” by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha as a book or eBook
• “Of Mongrelitude” by Julian Talamantez Brolaski as an eAudiobook
• “Broken Halves of a Milky Sun: Poems” by Aaiún Nin as an eAudiobook
NOLS also has a lot to offer when it comes to poetry programming in our library branches and beyond. I’d first like to mention that NOLS will begin accepting applications for the next Clallam County Poet Laureate (2027-29) in October. Find details at NOLS.org/NextPoet.
This role has been crucial to sharing poetry throughout Clallam County with writing workshops and readings. Meet our current Poet Laureate Nellie Bridge at a three-part poetry appreciation series at the Sequim Library Sept. 21 and 28, and Oct. 5. Beginners are encouraged to attend.
NOLS also collaborates annually with Peninsula College to provide the Indigenous Peoples Day Poetry Reading. This year’s event will take place on Monday, Oct. 12, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Please join us in honor and celebration of Indigenous poetry.
Visit NOLS.org/events for more information about these poetry programs.
___________________________
Adrienne Langan is a librarian with the North Olympic Library System (NOLS).