{"title":"Poetry \u0026 Verse","description":"\u003cp\u003eEssential poetry from across the ages—from Homer's epics and Dante's Divine Comedy to Whitman, Dickinson, Eliot, and beyond. Discover the power of verse in its most enduring forms.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"complete-writings-by-phillis-wheatley","title":"Complete Writings by Phillis Wheatley","description":"\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003ePhillis Wheatley's \u003cem\u003eComplete Writings\u003c\/em\u003e offers a comprehensive collection of works by the first published African American poet, a woman who wrote with extraordinary eloquence during the era of American slavery. Born in West Africa and enslaved as a child, Wheatley became a celebrated literary figure, challenging racist assumptions about Black intellectual capacity through her sophisticated poetry and correspondence. Her writings provide a powerful testament to resilience, intellectual brilliance, and the human spirit's capacity to transcend oppression.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003eBecause Wheatley's words are not just historical documents, but revolutionary acts of self-determination and artistic mastery.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Author: Phillis Wheatley \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Editor: Vincent Carretta \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Publisher: Penguin Classics \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Format: Paperback\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44840625799212,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-10-07at11.50.24.png?v=1759876410"},{"product_id":"mahabharata","title":"Mahabharata","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eMahabharata\u003c\/em\u003e is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, a vast narrative encompassing mythology, philosophy, ethics, and human drama. This Penguin Classics edition presents the epic tale of the Pandava and Kaurava families, whose conflict culminates in the great Kurukshetra War. More than a war story, the text explores dharma (duty), karma, and the complexities of moral choice, containing within it the Bhagavad Gita and countless other philosophical and narrative treasures.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT:\u003c\/strong\u003e Because the \u003cem\u003eMahabharata\u003c\/em\u003e understands that there are no simple heroes or villains, only people trying to do right in impossible circumstances. This epic has shaped South Asian culture for millennia because it refuses easy answers, showing us that wisdom means living with complexity, not avoiding it.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDETAILS:\u003c\/strong\u003e • Author: Anonymous • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44852479983660,"sku":null,"price":21.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-10-13at11.54.31.png?v=1760370876"},{"product_id":"gitanjali-a-collection-of-indian-poems-by-the-nobel-laureate","title":"Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eRabindranath Tagore's \u003cem\u003eGitanjali\u003c\/em\u003e is the poetry collection that won him the Nobel Prize, featuring spiritual meditations on love, nature, and the divine. Through lyrical verse that blends Indian philosophy with universal themes, Tagore creates work that transcends cultural boundaries. This edition with an introduction by W.B. Yeats becomes both spiritual text and literary masterpiece, proving that the best poetry speaks to the soul regardless of where it originates.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT:\u003c\/strong\u003e Because Tagore proved that Indian poetry deserves global recognition and that spiritual poetry can be both profound and accessible. This collection reminds us that the best verse transcends borders, and that devotional poetry is among literature's highest achievements.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDETAILS:\u003c\/strong\u003e • Poet: Rabindranath Tagore • Introduction: William Butler Yeats • Publisher: Scribner Book Company • Format: Paperback • Award: Nobel Prize in Literature \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44882805293100,"sku":null,"price":17.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-10-23at16.12.48.png?v=1761250373"},{"product_id":"leaves-of-grass","title":"Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eWalt Whitman's \u003cem\u003eLeaves of Grass\u003c\/em\u003e is the groundbreaking poetry collection celebrating American democracy, the human body, and the interconnectedness of all things. Through free verse that broke every convention, Whitman created a new kind of poetry that was sensual, spiritual, and radically inclusive. This Canterbury Classics leather edition becomes both literary revolution and beautiful object, proving that Whitman's vision of America remains radical and that \"Song of Myself\" is one of literature's great declarations of selfhood.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT:\u003c\/strong\u003e Because Whitman invented American poetry, celebrating the body and soul with equal fervor and writing lines that still feel revolutionary. This leather edition reminds us that \"I contain multitudes\" is the perfect self-description, that Whitman's sexuality was radical for 1855, and that his optimism about democracy feels both inspiring and heartbreaking.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDETAILS:\u003c\/strong\u003e • Author: Walt Whitman • Publisher: Canterbury Classics • Format: Leather Bound • Publication Date: October 2, 2018 • ISBN: 9781684125555 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44961589723180,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-11-13at15.36.15.png?v=1763066180"},{"product_id":"beowulf","title":"Beowulf","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBeowulf\u003c\/em\u003e is the Old English epic of a warrior who crosses the sea to help a neighboring king, then grows old and faces one last dragon at home. This Penguin Classics edition keeps the poem’s harsh, sea‑spray atmosphere while giving modern readers clear, readable lines. Notes and an introduction sketch out the poem’s mix of pagan legend, Christian framing, and early medieval politics.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT\u003cbr\u003eBecause it is one of the core texts of the English literary tradition and still reads like a sharp, violent adventure story. \u003cem\u003eBeowulf\u003c\/em\u003e is a strong pick for students, fantasy readers who want to see some of the genre’s roots, and anyone curious about how an oral poem survives on the page.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eDETAILS\u003cbr\u003e• Author: Anonymous\u003cbr\u003e• Publisher: Penguin Classics\u003cbr\u003e• Publication Date: May 30, 1957\u003cbr\u003e• Format: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e• ISBN: 9780140440706\u003cbr\u003e• Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45022285922348,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-11-19at14.38.06.png?v=1763581091"},{"product_id":"canterbury-tales","title":"The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThe Canterbury Tales\u003c\/em\u003e gathers a band of pilgrims on the road to Canterbury and lets each tell a story, from chivalric romances to dirty jokes and moral fables. This Penguin Classics edition presents the tales in modern English prose while keeping the flavor of Chaucer’s voices, so readers can follow the plots without wrestling with Middle English. Notes and an introduction sketch the social world of fourteenth‑century England and the way the tales talk to one another.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT\u003cbr\u003eBecause it is one of the founding texts of English literature and still surprisingly funny and sharp when given a clear translation. \u003cem\u003eThe Canterbury Tales\u003c\/em\u003e is a strong pick for students, book clubs that like big classics, and readers who enjoy story collections with a built‑in frame.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eDETAILS\u003cbr\u003e• Author: Geoffrey Chaucer\u003cbr\u003e• Publisher: Penguin Classics\u003cbr\u003e• Publication Date: February 4, 2003\u003cbr\u003e• Format: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e• ISBN: 9780140424386\u003cbr\u003e• Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45022286250028,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-11-19at15.06.25.png?v=1763582791"},{"product_id":"divine-comedy","title":"The Divine Comedy by Dante Alghieri","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThe Divine Comedy\u003c\/em\u003e is Dante’s epic journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, guided first by the poet Virgil and then by Beatrice. This Penguin Classics edition presents the full poem in modern English, with notes that help readers navigate its dense symbolism, political references, and theological debates. The translation aims for clarity and musicality, making a famously daunting work accessible without flattening its strangeness.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT\u003cbr\u003eBecause it is one of the foundational works of world literature, and this edition makes the whole journey readable for non‑specialists. \u003cem\u003eThe Divine Comedy\u003c\/em\u003e is a strong pick for students, poetry lovers, and anyone curious about visions of the afterlife.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eDETAILS\u003cbr\u003e• Author: Dante Alighieri\u003cbr\u003e• Publisher: Penguin Classics\u003cbr\u003e• Publication Date: February 26, 2013\u003cbr\u003e• Format: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e• ISBN: 9780143107194\u003cbr\u003e• Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45022287101996,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-12-03at10.43.52.png?v=1764776637"},{"product_id":"iliad-penguin-classics-deluxe-edition-revised","title":"The Iliad by Homer (Revised)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThe Iliad\u003c\/em\u003e tells the story of the Trojan War’s final weeks, focusing on Achilles, Hector, and the gods who watch and meddle in human affairs. The Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition features a modern translation, detailed notes, and a beautiful design that makes this ancient epic accessible and engaging for today’s readers.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT\u003cbr\u003eBecause this is one of those foundational stories that still feels immediate, full of action and emotion. The translation is clear and energetic, making it easy to get swept up in the battles, rivalries, and moments of unexpected tenderness. Perfect for anyone who wants to experience a classic that’s shaped storytelling for centuries.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eDETAILS\u003cbr\u003e• Author: Homer\u003cbr\u003e• Publisher: Penguin Classics\u003cbr\u003e• Publication Date: November 1, 1998\u003cbr\u003e• Format: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e• ISBN: 9780140275360\u003cbr\u003e• Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45022288085036,"sku":null,"price":21.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-12-03at14.40.32.png?v=1764790837"},{"product_id":"paradise-lost-revised","title":"Paradise Lost (Revised)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eParadise Lost\u003c\/em\u003e is Milton’s epic poem about the fall of Satan, Adam, and Eve, written in soaring blank verse. The poem explores the nature of temptation, free will, and redemption, bringing biblical characters to life with psychological depth and dramatic flair. This revised Penguin Classics edition includes helpful notes and an introduction to guide new readers through Milton’s complex, beautiful language.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eWHY WE PICKED IT\u003cbr\u003eBecause this is one of the cornerstones of English literature—a poem that asks big questions about choice, loss, and the possibility of grace. It’s a rewarding challenge for readers who love language that’s both musical and profound, and for anyone curious about the roots of so many later stories.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mb-1 mt-2 whitespace-pre-line leading-relaxed first:mt-0\" data-sentry-component=\"P\" data-sentry-source-file=\"p.tsx\"\u003eDETAILS\u003cbr\u003e• Author: John Milton\u003cbr\u003e• Publisher: Penguin Classics\u003cbr\u003e• Publication Date: February 24, 2003\u003cbr\u003e• Format: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e• ISBN: 9780140424393\u003cbr\u003e• Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45022290083884,"sku":null,"price":13.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/Screenshot2025-12-03at16.24.35.png?v=1764797080"},{"product_id":"layli-and-majnun","title":"Layli and Majnun","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Persian epic that inspired Eric Clapton's unforgettable love song \"Layla\" and that Lord Byron called \"the Romeo and Juliet of the East,\" in a masterly new translation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iconic love story of the Middle East, by a twelfth-century Persian poet who has been compared to Shakespeare for his subtlety, inventiveness, and dramatic force, Layli and Majnun tells of star-crossed lovers whose union is tragically thwarted by their families and whose passion continues to ripple out across the centuries. Theirs is a love that lasts a lifetime, and in Nezami's immortal telling, erotic longing blends with spiritual self-denial in an allegory of Sufi aspiration, as the amenities of civilization give way to the elemental wilderness, desire is sublimated into a mystical renunciation of the physical world, and the soul confronts its essence. This is a tour de force of Persian literature, in a translation that captures the extraordinary power and virtuosity of the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e • Author: Nezami Ganjavi • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cedar Leaf Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45694886969388,"sku":"9780143133995","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0697\/2234\/1420\/files\/9780143133995.jpg?v=1782159028"}],"url":"https:\/\/cedarleafbooks.com\/collections\/poetry-verse.oembed","provider":"Cedar Leaf Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}