Was it memorizing Shakespearean sonnets or the mindnumbing task of remembering the difference between a simile and a metaphor that made the average person hate poetry? Well, Millenials are taking poetry back and creating their own version of the classic literary form with what is being dubbed as Instapoetry. Instapoetry is poetry that is published on the social media platform Instagram where creatives can showcase their work with fans around the globe. Without MFA degrees or having studied classical poetry Instapoets are breaking down the barriers of what was once an exclusive club. The poems that are popping up on your Instagram feed are not the words of Dickenson, Frost, or Poe but poets who want to connect and share words with their fans instantly. The poetic form is causing a stir in the literary world but the research has shown that sales of poetry books have increased by 20%. If you are new to Instapoetry these are 5 of the most influential poets to follow now!
Lang Leav
Instagram Handle: @langleav
Lang Leav is a poet, novelist, and artist who has more published books of poetry than many of her peers. The poet knows about adversity, being born in a Thai refugee camp and spending the majority of her life in Australia; Leav now channels these experiences in her work. Her poems about love, loss, and female empowerment have received acclaim and a massive social media following.
Leticia Sala
Instagram Handle: @leti.sala
Barcelona native Leticia Sala is a poet whose writing is often featured in big-name magazines like Vogue Spain and Vogue Italy. The poet is a true Instapoet phenomenon using the social media platform to gain notoriety. Fully embracing the platform for self-publication, soon after she began publishing her poems online she received an offer from a publisher. Her first book, Scrolling after Sex is a creative collection of poetry, photos, stories, and drawings.
Nikita Gill
Instagram Handle: @nikita_gill
At the age of 12, a creative writing teacher encouraged Nikita Gill to never stop writing and that is exactly what happened. Now, Gill is an incredibly popular poet who is known for building a successful career through the internet. Her work which centers on the themes of loss, displacement, migration, trauma, and suffering has been seen across Tumblr, Instagram, and Facebook. The British- Indian poet wasn’t an overnight success and was rejected 137 times by publishers before having Wild Embers and Your Soul is a River become international successes.
Rupi Kaur
Instagram Handle: @rupikaur_
Maybe the most famous Instapoet of them all is the Indian-Canadian Rupi Kaur. Kaur is a sensation and her force cannot be denied. She has written and illustrated two books that have reached international acclaim and has performed her work around the world to sold-out audiences. Rupi writes poems from the heart that are short, direct, and moving writing about topics like immigration, trauma, femininity, and beauty.
Cleo Wade
Instagram Handle @cleowade
The American artist, poet, and motivational speaker has been labeled as “everybody’s best friend” and won over fans in her native New York and around the world. The 30-year old writes about social justice, feminism, and self-acceptance and her positive messages have been embraced on social media and in print. With over 500,000 Instagram followers she has created a following of people that are addicted to her messages of positivity and self-love.