The Spectator’s 40 Poems You Should Know

That poetry is the “new rock ‘n’ roll” is an oft-uttered sentiment. But as its power to transport, provoke, console and seduce has been a constant for thousands of years now, I prefer to regard it as the old rock ‘n’ roll. The original, if you will…

And it’s in this spirit that we’ve prepared a festival of poetry for Spectator readers – only you won’t need to bring along wellies or a tent. Tomorrow’s issue of the magazine – print edition only – launches our special selection of 40 Poems You Should Know.  

Picking the 40 entries was a tall order – not because it’s hard to find worthy headline acts, but because there are too many to choose from. From poems written five hundred years ago, to new poems published in the last few months, there is – I hope – a line-up which includes at least some of the poets you yourselves would count as “essential”.