where to start reading / what you like most?

[Leanne]

Ha, trying to narrow down the best poems is like trying to narrow down the best philosophy! Almost all great poetry is philosophical in some way -- it deals with the human condition and doesn't necessarily offer answers, but does pose some interesting questions. Me, I love the surrealists and symbolists but I'm also a massive fan of the metaphysicals like John Donne. In philosophy, I tend to lean most toward existentialism, which kind of grew out of both the metaphysical and romantic eras, though there aren't a lot of decent poems written by existentialist philosophers (they were far too verbose!). Shelley, Byron and Coleridge are the main culprits when it comes to provoking thought in that direction.