4 Legendary Poets to Emulate

There are some poets that will never be forgotten – at least not for another several millennia. Becoming one of these poets is a great possibility for you, too, if you are passionate about poetry. A host of free poetry contests present a fantastic platform for you to experiment, get feedback, and advance your art. With tons of practice and feedback, you could be on your way to becoming one of the greats such as:

• Homer

So famous yet such a mystery! Homer's origins are ridiculously unclear, leading some scholars to think he was a myth. Was he actually blind? Did he come from Anatolia’s city, Chios? The world may never know but one thing is for sure- the Odyssey and the Iliad attributed to Homer are remarkable pieces of literature. Anyone entering their work into poetry competitions can learn a thing of two from these ancient writings.

• William Shakespeare

A list of great poets can never be complete without Mr. Shakespeare appearing on it. Beyond being an actor and playwright, Shakespeare had a keen ear for rhyme. Romeo and Juliet is not his only piece of literature. His 154 sonnets by far overshadow some of his tragic plays. These sonnets were published just before his death and remain an integral part of the poetry world. There are suspicions that these sonnets were actually published well after his death though because of the order in which they appear. It is very unlike Shakespeare.

• John Keats

Keats is perhaps the equivalent of Chopin in the world of classical music. These two were great names in the romantic era – for different reasons though. Born in 1795, Keats career was suddenly cut short by his unprecedented demise. He died at a tender age of 25 years leading many scholars to refer of him as the Franz Schubert of poetry. Both artists made significant contributions to their respective fields even though they died young. Keats’ style is not hard to miss in many a submission in poetry competitions. The sensual imagery characteristic of romanticism plus the sneaky use of rhyme is always a pleasure to interact with. Ode to a Nightingale is definitely worth a read if you are looking for something unique to read.

• Maya Angelou

Born in 1928, Maya Angelou lived an extraordinary life. In her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she recounts her upbringing in Missouri's southern state. It goes on to tell how she overcame racism and trauma through love and determination. Since she published her first volume of poems titled Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Die her name has become synonymous to excellence in the world of poetry with many who sign up for free poetry contests hoping to live up to such a big name. She has won innumerable accolades for her written word and recitals. She has been cited as an inspiration by many upcoming poets. Along the likes of Emily Dickinson, Maya is definitely going down in history for years to come as a poet to emulate.

Learn from feedback that will be written on everything you write. Share your poetry, stories and book chapters. All skill levels welcomed.