5 Crisp New Poetry Collections in September 2023

As the leaves begin to change and the days grow shorter, the world of poetry welcomes a fresh wave of creativity with the release of exciting new poetry collections in September 2023. These collections promise to be a rich tapestry of emotions, perspectives, and artistic expression, offering readers a chance to explore the beauty of language and the depths of the human experience. From established poets to emerging voices, this fall brings a diverse range of poetic works that explore themes ranging from love and loss to social commentary and self-discovery. Join us on a poetic journey through the literary landscape of September.

Saskia Hamilton, All Souls 

Known for her subtle yet fierce poetic style, Saskia Hamilton is a former teacher at Barnard College and the recipient of an Arts and Letters Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Published posthumously, All Souls is Hamilton’s fourth collection. Devastating, tender, and courageous, All Souls tells the story of a mother preparing to take leave of her young son. Available Sept. 5.

Simon Shieh, Master 

Master is Simon Sheih’s debut collection and winner of the 2022 Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry. Stark and surreal, the book explores masculinity and language, healing and pain. A Taiwanese-American poet and essayist, Shieh has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship, as well as a Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation. Master is available Sept. 12. 

Ariana Benson, Black Pastoral 

Recipient of the 2022 Furious Flower Poetry Prize, Ariana Benson’s work has appeared in Ploughshares, Copper Nickel, and elsewhere. Black Pastoral is the poet’s highly anticipated debut. The collection explores the Black experience in the natural world, meditating on the complex dualities of violence and tenderness, painful and soothing. Available Sept. 15. 

Elisa Gonzalez, Grand Tour

Another exciting September debut comes from poet, essayist, and fiction writer Elisa Gonzalez. In this moving collection, the speaker attempts to reckon with a simultaneous love and hate for the world. Grand Tour moves through romance, family, history, and place to reconcile this internal query. Available September 19. 

Sam Sax, Pig

Two-time Bay Area Grand Slam Champion, Sam Sax releases their third collection with Pig. Combining autobiography and history, Sax explores themes of masculinity, state violence, desire, queerness, power, and more. Delivered with humor and grace, sadness and anger, Pig paints a multifaceted picture of what it is to be human. Available September 19.

As September unfolds, these five new poetry collections invite us to embrace the power of words, inviting introspection, empathy, and connection. Whether you’re a seasoned poetry enthusiast or just beginning to dip your toes into the world of verse, these collections offer a treasure trove of emotions, stories, and perspectives. Through the evocative use of language, poets continue to capture the essence of our shared human experience. So, as autumn settles in, take a moment to savor the beauty and wisdom woven into these pages, and let these poetic voices inspire and resonate with your own journey through life.