Epistolary poetry is basically a letter in the form of a poem. This type of poetry was popularized with Horace and his Epistles in the time of the Roman Empire, was used by Alexander Pope and Lord Byron, and has continued as a popular form in contemporary poetry. Visit the literary journal Poemeleon’s epistolary issue for contemporary letter poems and check out Poets.org for a brief but detailed description of the epistle form of poetry. One epistolary poem you may be already familiar with is by William Carlos Williams. It begins:
"This Is Just To Say" I have eaten the plums that were in the iceboxContinue reading...It is a simple note confessing to his wife his indiscretion, while not actually asking for forgiveness. And, one of my favorites, by poet/singer/songwriter, Leonard Cohen, addresses an old friend, asking him to put their pasts behind them. It begins:
"Famous Blue Raincoat" It’s four in the morning, the end of December I’m writing you now just to see if your better New York is cold, but I like where I’m living There’s music on Clinton Street all through the evening.Continue reading... Both Williams’ and Cohen’s poems have a confessional quality, but how are they different? Can you think of any love poems that are epistolary? Do you have a favorite epistolary poem or poet to share?Also, visit the collections of these poets to read more great epistolary poetry:
Robert DuncanJohn Fleming – Haunch of VenisonEmily DickinsonJim HarrisonLangston HughesTed HughesOvid