International Poetry Web: An Introduction to a World of Beauty

International Poetry Web is a wonder of a website. I stumbled on it by accident several years ago, when I was still new to the world of computers. It is donation supported and, as it's name suggests, a handy reference to world poetry.

There are currently 20 different countries represented. Each country has its own domain within Poetry International Web and has a volunteer editor who maintains the poets' biographies and work as posted on the site. Poems that are included are all examples of modern and contemporary work being produced within the country under which they are listed. The poems are displayed in the original language with an English translation alongside on the right. Some of these editors also keep monthly blogs called editorials. The countries I've explored so far are Morocco, South Africa, Iraq, and Australia. I have a personal goal of eventually reading all the poetry posted on the site. This is no easy task since new poets are added almost monthly.

Poetry International Web also maintains an archive of audio and video readings to supplement some of the written material that is featured. In some cases, there are also interviews of certain poets available. The Defence of Poetry lecture series, given and simultaneously published on-line during the annual Poetry International Festival invites poets of world-renown to defend their discipline. There is a newslog on the left-hand side of the page that links to articles and announcements regarding some of poetry's most important happenings worldwide. Also, someone (webmaster, perhaps?) posts on a monthly basis an editorial that can also be subscribed to as a newsletter that gives highlights from the site as a whole for that month. This includes events sponsored by International Poetry Web, newly added poets, a featured country and featured poems from various countries. This editorial is placed on the home page of the site.

International Poetry Web is a wondrous tool as an introduction to the varied poetry of the world. Expand your mental, intellectual, artistic, and emotional horizons by visiting Poetry International Web at http://international.poetryinternationalweb.org/piw_cms/cms/cms_module/index.php?obj_name=international. It will be a truly engrossing experience.