This year, poetry has proven to be an unstoppable force, defying conventions and pushing the boundaries of what we think is possible. From experimental forms to timely explorations of trauma and identity, some of 2025's most notable poets have been making waves in the literary world.
At the forefront of this movement are Sarah Hesketh, Luke Kennard, Nick Makoha, Leo Boix, Vidyan Ravinthiran, Isabelle Baafi, Karen Downs-Barton, Mona Arshi, and Simon Armitage. Each of these poets has brought their unique voice to the table, tackling topics such as same-sex marriage, environmental catastrophe, toxic relationships, and social justice.
One poet who stands out is Sarah Hesketh, whose 2016 was shortlisted for a major prize. This collection takes the form of prose poems, woven from transcripts of anonymous individuals discussing the events of that year. The result is haunting and poignant, as if these voices have been distilled into a single moment in time.
Another notable poet is Luke Kennard, who has remixed his source material to create something entirely new. In his latest collection, The Book of Jonah, he reimagines the biblical prophet in a world of arts conferences, where his presence is felt but ultimately futile.
Meanwhile, Vidyan Ravinthiran's Avidyฤ has drawn praise for its use of linguistic delights and its exploration of the English canon. Isabelle Baafi's Chaotic Good, on the other hand, is a scathing dissection of a toxic marriage that is at once playful and sharp.
The Forward Prize also saw two winners this year, Karen Solie's Wellwater and Avidyฤ by Vidyan Ravinthiran. Wellwater focuses its gaze not just on environmental catastrophe but also on the economic factors that have led to it, with a tone that is both refreshing and clarifying.
One collection above all others has left an indelible mark this year - Richard Scott's That Broke Into Shining Crystals. This book tackles the hardest of subjects - trauma and its aftermath - and finds beauty in the process. The ekphrastic poems inspired by still lives are some of the best examples of the technique I've ever read, connecting pain to painting in ways that mesmerise.
In other news, Simon Armitage has been busy this year, producing two collections that showcase his unique voice. New Cemetery reflects on death with fast-flowing tercets, while Dwell is a joyful testament to how animals might thrive in a human-dominated world.
As we look back on 2025's literary landscape, one thing is clear - poetry has once again proven itself to be an unstoppable force for change and expression. Whether experimental or timely, it has given voice to the silenced and sparked important conversations about identity, trauma, and social justice.
At the forefront of this movement are Sarah Hesketh, Luke Kennard, Nick Makoha, Leo Boix, Vidyan Ravinthiran, Isabelle Baafi, Karen Downs-Barton, Mona Arshi, and Simon Armitage. Each of these poets has brought their unique voice to the table, tackling topics such as same-sex marriage, environmental catastrophe, toxic relationships, and social justice.
One poet who stands out is Sarah Hesketh, whose 2016 was shortlisted for a major prize. This collection takes the form of prose poems, woven from transcripts of anonymous individuals discussing the events of that year. The result is haunting and poignant, as if these voices have been distilled into a single moment in time.
Another notable poet is Luke Kennard, who has remixed his source material to create something entirely new. In his latest collection, The Book of Jonah, he reimagines the biblical prophet in a world of arts conferences, where his presence is felt but ultimately futile.
Meanwhile, Vidyan Ravinthiran's Avidyฤ has drawn praise for its use of linguistic delights and its exploration of the English canon. Isabelle Baafi's Chaotic Good, on the other hand, is a scathing dissection of a toxic marriage that is at once playful and sharp.
The Forward Prize also saw two winners this year, Karen Solie's Wellwater and Avidyฤ by Vidyan Ravinthiran. Wellwater focuses its gaze not just on environmental catastrophe but also on the economic factors that have led to it, with a tone that is both refreshing and clarifying.
One collection above all others has left an indelible mark this year - Richard Scott's That Broke Into Shining Crystals. This book tackles the hardest of subjects - trauma and its aftermath - and finds beauty in the process. The ekphrastic poems inspired by still lives are some of the best examples of the technique I've ever read, connecting pain to painting in ways that mesmerise.
In other news, Simon Armitage has been busy this year, producing two collections that showcase his unique voice. New Cemetery reflects on death with fast-flowing tercets, while Dwell is a joyful testament to how animals might thrive in a human-dominated world.
As we look back on 2025's literary landscape, one thing is clear - poetry has once again proven itself to be an unstoppable force for change and expression. Whether experimental or timely, it has given voice to the silenced and sparked important conversations about identity, trauma, and social justice.
this year's poets are on fire 
I mean seriously have you read Simon Armitage's New Cemetery? The way he weaves those tercets together is pure magic 
and Richard Scott's That Broke Into Shining Crystals... *cries* I'm not even kidding, it's like a masterclass in trauma poetry 
gotta respect these poets for taking risks & pushing boundaries - we could all learn from their vulnerability 
sarah esketh's prose poems are a reminder that words can be both powerful & hauntingly beautiful 
. Poetry in 2025 is definitely making waves. I love how these poets are pushing boundaries and exploring tough topics like toxic relationships and environmental catastrophe. Richard Scott's book That Broke Into Shining Crystals really stood out for me - it's so beautiful but also super raw. I'm intrigued by Luke Kennard's remixed version of The Book of Jonah, sounds like a cool take on the biblical prophet 
. And Vidyan Ravinthiran's Avidyฤ is definitely on my to-read list now! 
. It's like they're giving voice to the silenced, you know? Like, Sarah Hesketh's prose poetry collection is just hauntingly beautiful... it feels like you're eavesdropping on a conversation that's both intimate and universal 
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. It's just so raw and honest about trauma and its aftermath... it makes you feel like you're experiencing the pain alongside the poet 
. Anyway, I'm totally in awe of these poets and their work - they're the future of literature, for sure 
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, while Luke Kennard's remixing is pure genius 
. And Vidyan Ravinthiran's Avidyฤ? Absolutely stunning! 
. I'm also loving Simon Armitage's new collections - his tercets are so smooth 
, it's like poetry on steroids 
. Anyway, this year's poets have really shown us what's possible with words 
. Can't wait to dive into more of their work 
I mean, people are speaking truth to power, tackling some super heavy stuff like mental health, toxic relationships, and climate change 
Like Isabelle Baafi's Chaotic Good, which is literally laugh-out-loud hilarious while still hitting you with all the feels.
i love how poets like vidyan ravinthiran and isabelle baafi are using their platforms to tackle tough topics with such vulnerability and honesty 
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. I did like Richard Scott's book though - he's got some real insight into trauma and how it affects people. But overall, I'm still a bit skeptical about this whole poetry thing 
, you know? it's like they're speaking straight from our souls 
. i mean, these poets are not afraid to tackle the tough stuff - trauma, identity, social justice... it's like they're holding up a mirror to our world and saying "hey, let's have this conversation" 
. and the best part is, poetry is for everyone