It’s International Women’s Day! Here at AngelSpeak I’m celebrating poets with a sampling of the women whose work I love and who have inspired and taught me so much.

Some writers I’ve learned from:

• Jorie Graham’s poetry taught me to not shy away from my intelligence in my writing – it’s okay to be a smart woman.
• Sharon Olds‘ poetry taught me to write with fearlessness and stark honesty about everything and anything.
• Larissa Szporluk taught me to pay attention to something other than subject matter: the power of the sound of words.
• Annie Finch taught me pay attention to something other than sound: the impact of rhythm on the body.

Some writers I love (and that you should check out!):

• Aimee Nezhukamatatil
• Ann Fisher-Wirth
• Jane Mead
• Danielle Sellers
• Diane Lockward
• Dorianne Laux
• Honor Moore

What amazing women have taught and inspired you?