Poetry
The Library hosts programs and events that help everyone explore and experience poetry. Come to poetry readings and open mics to hear poets from our community and around the country, and get recommendations from our staff to help you find poems and poets that move you.
Poetry Events
See upcoming events for Seattle writers and poetry fans at the Library, from author talks to Poetry Potlucks and writers’ circles. Past presenters have included U.S. and Washington State Poet Laureates.
Civic Poet
The Seattle Civic Poet is a partnership between the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), the Office of the Mayor, the Seattle City of Literature and the Library.
Dujie Tahat is the 2025-2026 Seattle Civic Poet, the fifth Civic Poet in the program’s history.
Seattle Reads 2025
Our 2025 Seattle Reads selection was “You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World”, a poetry anthology edited by former U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.
Seattle Reads is our citywide book group. This was the second time that a poetry anthology had been selected for Seattle Reads.
Staff Picks
Need suggestions for poems and poets to read? Explore these lists of poetry books and anthologies that our staff recommend.
- Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Poets
- Black Diasporic Poets
- Latinx and Latine Poetry
- LGBTQ+ Poetry and Essays
- LGBTQ+ Poets
- Novels in Verse for Grown ups
- Transgender and Genderqueer Poets
For personalized recommendations, tell our librarians about some poetry books you’ve enjoyed, and they will pick five books just for you!