{"id":6601,"date":"2021-03-19T15:28:18","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T15:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daastan.com\/blog\/?p=6601"},"modified":"2021-03-19T15:28:18","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T15:28:18","slug":"millennial-poets-best-of-contemporary-poetry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daastan.com\/blog\/millennial-poets-best-of-contemporary-poetry\/","title":{"rendered":"Millennial Poets | Best of Contemporary Poetry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Millennials have their own way of doing everything. Whether it\u2019s art, literature, politics <\/em>or culture<\/em>; leave it to a millennial to give things a new meaning. This week at Daastan<\/a>, we bring to you the best of millennial poets<\/em>. Thus, we have curated a list of 21st<\/strong> century\u2019s best poets from all across the globe.<\/p>\n

Millennials & Literature<\/h2>\n

Poetry<\/em> is the most intimate<\/em> form of art. In order to feel and savour every emotion it conveys, it should be raw<\/em> and unfiltered<\/em>. However, the trends of poetry since times immemorial have been difficult to understand by laymen. Then came the millennial generation that fought against the rules <\/em>and conventions<\/em> that restricted poetry. And hence transformed the poetic trends. It\u2019s important to understand that trends of poetry have drastically changed in the last two decades. So, the poetic landscape now includes, spontaneous instagram posts and captions, quick 141<\/strong> character limit tweets and the widely loved spoken word.<\/p>\n

Noor Unnahar – Millennials redefining poetry<\/h2>\n

First on our recommendation list is Noor Unnahar<\/a>. Unnahar is a 23 year old Karachi born poet & blogger. In grade 6, she entered the world of internet by her blog Noor’s Place. It\u2019s no exaggeration to call her a multi-hyphenate artist. Multitasking comes naturally to her. Not only she\u2019s a published author but she\u2019s also a full time art student at IVS, Karachi. Yesterday I was the Moon<\/a> is her debut poetry book. Unnahar\u2019s book explores her voice through this book and talks about heartbreak in the form of poetry and prose. Moreover in 2018<\/strong>, she also launched her Find Your Voice Journal<\/a>. As the name suggests, Find Your Voice Journal is a customised diary that allows you to explore your inner poet through a series of prompts given by Noor herself.<\/p>\n

\"Millennials\"<\/a>
Noor Unnahar (@noor_unnahar)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Millennials<\/a><\/p>\n

Ocean Vuong<\/h2>\n

“All freedom is relative\u2014you know too well\u2014and sometimes it\u2019s no freedom at all, but simply the cage widening far away from you, the bars abstracted with distance but still there, as when they \u201cfree\u201d wild animals into nature preserves only to contain them yet again by larger borders. But I took it anyway, that widening. Because sometimes not seeing the bars is enough\u201d <\/em>
\n\u2015 Ocean Vuong, <\/span>On Earth We\u2019re Briefly Gorgeous <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Doesn\u2019t this make you skip a breath? Does it not make you contemplate freedom in way you have never before? (screams in fangirl) I get it, Ocean Vuong<\/a> can do that to you with his words. My first encounter with his works was through his novel, On Earth We\u2019re Briefly Gorgeous<\/a>. Later I found out poetry is his niche. Vuong rose to fame after his\u00a0poems were published in American Poetry Review<\/a>, Gulf Coast, The New Yorker<\/a>, The Poetry Review<\/a><\/i> and other prominent poetry journals.<\/p>\n

\"Millennials<\/a>
Ocean Vuong photographed by Christopher Ho.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He made it to the New York Times<\/em> Top 10<\/strong> Book of 2016<\/strong>, for his critically acclaimed poetry collection, Night Sky with Exit Wounds. Vuong <\/em>is the\u00a0winner of the T.S. Eliot Prize,<\/em> the Whiting Award<\/em>, the Thom Gunn Award<\/em>, and the Forward Prize for Best First Collection<\/em>. One of the reviews on Google Reads summed up exactly how it\u2019s like to experience Vuong\u2019s poetry. \u201cTo read Ocean Vuong’s Night Sky with Exit Wounds<\/a> is to be dazzled by gorgeous lyricism.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Najwa Zebian – Phoenix of Millennials<\/h2>\n

Najwa<\/a> is undoubtedly the phoenix of millennials. She is embodiment of making your own way through life, despite the many challenges that come with. Najwa\u00a0is a Lebanese-Canadian<\/em> activist, author, poet, educator, and speaker based in London. She gained popularity after speaking about her trauma during the #MeToo Movement<\/em>. About the harassment she faced, she told NewYork Times:<\/p>\n

\u201cI was blamed for it. I was told not to talk about it. I was told that it wasn\u2019t that bad. I was told to get over it.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Her story is of resilience and unwavering spirit.<\/p>\n

\"Millennials<\/a>
Najwa Zebian (@najwazebian)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After moving to Canada, she started teaching. Najwa says seeing her students made her reconnect with her younger self and that\u2019s how she began to write. Today Najwa is an advocate for self-love, dealing with trauma and learning to heal. Mind Platter<\/a>, Nectar of Pain<\/a>\u00a0and The Sparks of Phoenix<\/a> are her poetry collections.<\/p>\n

Alex Pierre Jeanty<\/h2>\n

Alex Pierre Jeanty<\/a>\u00a0is a Haitian-American author, publisher, <\/em>and entrepreneur.<\/em> After quitting his job in 2014<\/strong>, Jeanty became a full time self-help<\/em> writer and a poet. Through his poetry he aims to make men understand the mistakes they make in relationships. He encourages women to never settle for less than what they deserve. Even though he is a man, Jeanty never fails to hold his gender accountable and advocates for a healthy version of masculinity.<\/p>\n

\"Millennials<\/a>
Pierre Jeanty – Author of \u201cHer\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unspoken Feelings of a Gentleman<\/a> is his first poetry collection. After the success of his first book, he wrote Her Volume I & II<\/a>, Him<\/a>, and To the Women I Once Loved<\/a>. He also hosts “The REALationship Therapy” podcast with his wife Natalie Jeanty.<\/p>\n

\"alex<\/a><\/p>\n

Akif Kichloo<\/h2>\n

Everyone has a daily ritual they can\u2019t seem to complete their day without. My daily ritual includes reading a poem or two by Akif Kichloo<\/a>. Whether I am on my way to university in bus or having a cup of coffee in the evening, I pause for a moment to savour his words. Besides being a poet, Akif is a doctor, musician, photographer and artist. He is famous for his poetry collection\u00a0\u201cThe feeling may remain.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Millennials<\/a>
Akif Kichloo (@akifkichloo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Akif\u2019s words have made it to\u00a0international anthologies like Poem<\/em> a Day<\/em> Anthology 2015<\/strong>, Umbilical Cords<\/em>: An Anthology on Parents Remembered, Different Truths <\/em>Anthology, Sheraza literary journal of J & K academy of Art, Culture and Languages. Moreover he was featured in literary magazines like Glass, Palette Poetry, Fly Paper Magazine, and counting.<\/p>\n

\"akif<\/a><\/p>\n

Christopher Poindextor<\/h2>\n

On a rebellious trip to California, young Christopher became a poet. Being a soul dedicated to make the sense of human condition, he started exploring the depths of pain, grief, love & loss through the power of pen.\u00a0\u201cPoetry held me when a body couldn\u2019t\u201d\u00a0<\/em>is a quote by him that resonates with millions of us who have been healed by its touch. Naked Human<\/a>, Lavender (Remastered)<\/a>, and Old Soul Love<\/a> are his poetry collections. Christopher is loved by millions around the world not only for his poetry but for the beautiful heart that beats inside of him.<\/p>\n

\"Millennial\"<\/a>
Christopher Poindextor (@christopherpoindextor)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIf empathy had a face, it would be his.\u201d \u00a0<\/i>My understanding of the word empathy comes from him. Christopher Poindextor opened my heart to all the different kinds of aches that surround us. Coming across his poetry made me realise that it\u2019s a gift to be able to feel things on a frequency much greater than others. Poindextor represents to me the collective struggle of humankind as\u00a0feeling beings.\u00a0<\/em>But the best thing about him is that he doesn\u2019t shy away from experiencing all the emotions on the spectrum. Poetry forces me to be relentless with tenderness, says Poindextor.\u00a0<\/em>Discovering his poetry at the most vulnerable point in my life is something I will always be grateful for. Grace, humility and the freedom to be my sensitive self are few of the many things I have learned from him.<\/p>\n

\"christopher<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Rupi Kaur – Voice of Millennials<\/h2>\n

My first introduction to Instagram poetry was through Rupi Kaur<\/a>. I picked up her book \u201cMilk & Honey\u201d at a friend\u2019s place. Until that moment I never knew this form of poetry even existed. Fresh into the highschool, I was having a difficult time navigating through teenage. Rupi\u2019s insight on love, healing, hurting & sense of identity hit home. It was also when I realised I was falling in love with poetry. From that moment forward, I not only read poetry at a very fast rate but also unleashed my inner poet. What Rupi has been to my journey of self-exploration, I hope to be that for someone else.<\/p>\n

\"Millennials<\/a>
Rupi Kaur (rupikaur_)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Apart from poetry, Rupi loves to draw. She has been making illustrations since the tender age of 5. Illustrations give life to her poetry. They\u2019re a visual representation of the gorgeous depths of her soul. Spoken word is something that she does ever so elegantly. Watching her perform poetry is a sublime experience. Therefore, Kaur being a NewYork Times Bestseller twice is absolutely well deserved.<\/p>\n

\"Millennials<\/a><\/p>\n

Lang Leav<\/h2>\n

Last but not the least on our millennials\u2019 recommendation list is Lang Leav<\/a>. Born as a refugee in Thailand, Lang moved to Australia with her family 1981. Her interest in literature developed early in life. Lang used to write poetry and share it with her school fellows. Conversational & easy going can be described as her poerty style. The sublimity in her poetry has attracted the attention of millions. In 2013<\/strong>, Lang made it to the NewYork Times Bestseller for Love and Misadventures<\/a>. In addition to that, Google Reads ranked the bestseller for Lullabies<\/a> (2014).<\/p>\n

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Lang Leav with her book \u201cLove looks pretty on You\u201d.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Poetry and prose collection<\/span><\/h2>\n