Poets like Matthew Rohrer
If you appreciate Matthew Rohrer’s accessible, surreal, and sometimes whimsical approach, here are some contemporary poets whose work aligns with that style of the fantastic and relatable
If you appreciate Matthew Rohrer’s accessible, surreal, and sometimes whimsical approach, here are some contemporary poets whose work aligns with that style of the fantastic and relatable:
Mary Ruefle — Her work is deeply accessible and often surreal, with poems that dive into imagination and playful, unexpected insights, similar to Rohrer’s light surrealism. Books like My Private Property and Dunce capture her unique style.
James Tate — Known for his narratives that verge on absurd yet remain grounded, Tate’s collections, like The Ghost Soldiers, blend the mundane with the magical in very approachable language.
Ada Limón — While her work often focuses on nature and personal experience, Limón’s poems in collections like The Carrying and Bright Dead Things feature simple language and surprising turns that open up profound reflections.
Dean Young — His work leans toward the surreal and humorous, often blending fantastic imagery with accessible themes, as in Elegy on Toy Piano. His style invites readers into a world where everyday life meets the unexpected.
Traci Brimhall — Her poems often mix mythology and fantasy with ordinary moments, creating an ethereal yet approachable style in collections like Our Lady of the Ruins and Come the Slumberless to the Land of Nod.
Chelsey Minnis — Known for her playful tone and unconventional style, Minnis’ work in books like Poemland brings a witty, surreal voice that’s accessible yet subversively imaginative.
