• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • ABROAD
    • Destinations
    • Itineraries
    • City Guides
    • Resources
  • AT HOME
    • San Francisco
    • Freelance Life
  • CONTACT
  • SHOP
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Part-Time Traveler

Find your balance of travel and home.

Home » Personal » The Modern Female Poets You Need To Be Following

The Modern Female Poets You Need To Be Following

June 22, 2018 Personal

It’s no secret that I’m a person who loves words. A literature student, book nerd, and writer by profession and trade, I live for the well-written word.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’ve never been much of a poetry person. I love a Walt Whitman verse or a Neruda love line as much as the next person, but overall it hasn’t been my forte as a reader.

Slowly and surely, and perhaps coinciding with the rise of the Instagram poet or “Insta-poet,” whose words are absorbed through an iPhone screen, I found myself drawn to poetry in a very contemporary way. Themes of female empowerment, heartbreak, identity, and healing from trauma spoke directly to me.

I’ve also come to realize that the beauty of poetry, just as with all good writing, is packing a punch — using as few words as possible for maximum emotional effect. It’s not just about the meaning of the words. It’s the rhythm, the cadence, the musicality…the power.

Adding these feminist poets to my social media — particularly Instagram — has changed how I use the platform. Their words (and frankly, lack of staged imagery,) brought back some of the soul and the inspiration I had been missing there. The way I feel when I see something like this in my feed makes me feel influenced…in a positive way, for a change!

Here are five women whose powerful choice of words (and in most cases, also social media) has made them icons of modern poetry. I know many literary experts or poetry experts who would love to disagree — but their words are being read and felt by many and, if the poems convey meaning and connect us to the writer and to each other…is there more that needs to be qualified?

Each of their work continues to deeply impress upon me. I hope you get as much out of their stanzas and speech as I do.

1. Rupi Kaur

Is it even a list without mentioning this rockstar of a woman? Rupi Kaur rose to prominence with one controversial Instagram post, and has been topping the New York Times bestseller list since. Now she’s one of today’s most famous female poets.

When her most recent book of poetry, The Sun and Her Flowers, came out, I proceeded to sit in an armchair and devour it page-by-page, bookmarking corners and tearing up throughout.

Rupi has an almost otherworldly ability to express herself and connect with others through her work. Her poetry is especially resonant if you’re going through heartbreak (and who hasn’t.)

You can find her @rupikaur_ – though I recommend reading her books so that you can absorb her poems in sequence.


2. Nayyirah Waheed

Whereas Rupi’s poetry makes me feel like I know her and her story intimately, Nayyirah’s words tend to hit me personally. Her poems touch on universal themes of love, self-love, art, race, and more. They’re often reminders of simple truths we seem to easily forget — her words cut right to the point and right to your core. For this reason she’s one of my favorite follows on Twitter as well.

Find her @nayyirah.waheed.

things. that should be asked.
often.
in every type of.
relationship.
how is your heart.
is your breath happy. here.
do you feel free.

what about this theory. the fear of not being enough. and the fear of being ‘too much.’ are exactly the same fear. the fear of being you.

3. Alex Elle

At first glance on Instagram, Alexandra Elle looks to be a beautiful woman with a new baby and a darling family. She is that — but she also shares some of the most thought-provoking words I’ve come across there. An author and storyteller, she often shares close-ups of pieces of handwritten paper that are like little bolts of insight.

In a world where our attention spans seem to shrink by the second, isn’t it nice to feel something like gratitude or perspective in a flash instead of comparison or envy? You can really feel the positive intention behind Alex’s work. She continues to be one of my favorites to come across in my feed.

You can find her @alex_elle.

4. Lang Leav

Lang is an Australian poet born who was in a Thai refugee camp when her parents were fleeing the Khmer Rouge. Her life experience lends a heartbreaking relatability  to her words. She writes about love and loss in a way that will ring true and turn things on their head for many of us. She’s got several books of poetry, as well as an active social media presence.

She can be found @langleav.

5. Cleo Wade

I hadn’t heard of or seen Cleo Wade’s face until long after I had seen her words. You may recognize her handwriting — I must’ve seen it all across Pinterest. She’s known as an artist, activist, and poet, and she can often be found gracing the pages of your favorite fashion magazine. Regardless, her words often resonate beautifully — sometimes even when it’s as simple as a screenshot she posted of a text she sent to a friend. (Now, that’s relevant.)

She’s @cleowade.


Bonus: Local SF gal @stephanie.dandan for this gem…I’m in love with it! Be sure to check out her work, too!

Who else are you reading and/or following? Would love to hear your favorites!replica tag

Leave a Comment

SHARE
« Five Positive Traits Travel Helps You Build
A Weekend in Memphis Guide »

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Best Books for Writers
  • 10 Ways to Bring More Travel Into Your Life Now
  • 30 Life Lessons I Learned From Travel (And How They’re Making Me Happier At Home)
  • Should You Go Abroad During the Holidays?

Want to travel more while still keeping a home base?

Sign up for exclusive content:

 

Winner of Gold and Silver 2019 Solas Awards for Best Travel Writing.

About Anne

Anne Lowrey is an award-winning travel writer based in San Francisco.

After spending a year in the world, she insisted on building a life at home she loved as much as she loves travel. The result was a move to SF, which she affectionately calls her “soul city.” She believes in the balance of and connection between time spent at home and abroad.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I’m Anne! I spend part of my time traveling the world and the other part living in my soul city, San Francisco.

I have a love for all things travel. I also have a love for nesting. I do NOT believe the two have to be mutually exclusive. If you seek that balance…you’ve come to the right place.

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Where Am I?

Last: We honeymooned safely in Greece (Santorini, Milos, Crete.)

Next: Northern Italy

Now: At home in San Francisco, doubling down on nesting  ♡

POPULAR POSTS

30 Life Lessons I Learned From Travel (And How They’re Making Me Happier At Home)

Nan: The Quieter Version of Thailand

san francisco restaurants

The Side of San Francisco Most Tourists Don’t See

“If travel is like love, it is mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.” – Pico Iyer

Plan a Trip

PLAN A TRIP

 

I’ve got…

PLAN A TRIP

  • One Day
  • One Week
  • Two+ Weeks

JOIN THE LIST

Find your balance between home and travel.

Como calls ✨ I’m actually visiting a smaller, Como calls ✨ I’m actually visiting a smaller, much lesser known Italian lake this time. Can’t wait to share more! 🇮🇹
#northernitaly #italianlakes #lagodicomo
Hi friends, it’s been awhile. I’ve got an inte Hi friends, it’s been awhile. I’ve got an international trip planned that starts next week 🧳 😭 Can you guess where? #parttimetraveler #ontheroadagain
Feeling grateful today for another trip taken arou Feeling grateful today for another trip taken around the sun ☀️ and for being able to do so with many favorite people (and in some of my favorite places!)

It can be difficult to celebrate big days or little happy moments amongst the current heaviness of the world. But we must 🌴🌴
—
#bigisland #smallbirthday #alohasunday
9.3.21 :: by far the best day of 2021 and the star 9.3.21 :: by far the best day of 2021 and the start of what makes me most excited for the years to come. ✨
📷 @amandaweiphoto

#sanfranciscowedding #tiburonreception #sfcityhall #2021bride #grateful
Note to self: take more walks just after sunrise 🌁 
#alwaysSF #iphoneonly
Mentally, I’m here right now. 🇬🇷 #milosg Mentally, I’m here right now. 🇬🇷 

#milosgreece #honeymoondestination #parttimetraveler
You and me and the Greek summer sea 💙 Here’s You and me and the Greek summer sea 💙

Here’s a view I wouldn’t mind waking up to again and again. Even to have just a few mornings here feels like a dream.
#milos #greecetravel #wewokeuplikethis
Our next stop was chosen courtesy of everyone we a Our next stop was chosen courtesy of everyone we asked “what’s your favorite Greek island?” to, who nearly all responded, “Milos!”

Scenes from Sarakíniko, which believe it or not wasn’t even our favorite part of this special place. #milos #honeymooning #parttimetraveler #ilovegreece
Second time to Santorini, first time to Megalochor Second time to Santorini, first time to Megalochori. Although it’s tempting to stay on or near the caldera, I highly recommend exploring some of the less visited villages on the island.

We had an unforgettable meal here (get the spiced meatballs!) in a truly stunning setting that we would’ve never encountered had we stuck to the main area. Bookmark this spot and set aside time for a leisurely lunch - you won’t regret it!🍴 
—
#parttimetraveler #santorini #megalochori #greekcuisine
CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM

© 2020 PART-TIME TRAVELER         Privacy Policy + Terms of Use          Subscribe

THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS