Our works of poetry showcase the art of expression through verse, including works from various poets, styles, and traditions, ranging from classical to contemporary. Readers can explore poems that delve into a wide array of themes such as love, nature, identity, and social issues. The collection encompasses different forms and structures, including sonnets, haikus, free verse, and spoken word. Through the power of language, rhythm, and imagery, these poetic works offer profound insights, evoke deep emotions, and provide unique perspectives on the human experience. Whether seeking solace, inspiration, or a new understanding of the world, readers will find a rich tapestry of voices and styles in this curated selection of poetry. Here are our books of poetry.
Selected Poems by Ai Qing is a treasure of Chinese poetry. It is an extraordinary collection that traces the powerful inner life of this influential poet who crafted poems of protest, who longed for a newer, happier age, and who wrote with a profound lyricism that reaches deep into the heart of the reader.
Neruda | The Biography of a Poet by Mark Eisner tells the intriguing story of renowned Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda through the examination of his poems. The book vividly depicts Neruda’s monumental life, potent verse, and ardent belief in the “poet’s obligation” to use poetry for social good.
Empty Chairs by Liu Xia tells the author’s life story through her powerful poetry. The book presents the poetry of Liu Xia for the first time freely in both English translation and in the Chinese original, and creates a portrait of a life lived under duress, a voice in danger of being silenced, and a spirit that is shaken but so far indomitable.
Horace and Me | Life Lessons from an Ancient Poet by Harry Eyres reflects the author’s journey into the works of the ancient poet Horace. The book charts Harry Eyres’ evolving relationship with the Latin poet to show how, in an era of affluence and excess which seems to be hurtling out of control, Horace can help us navigate our way in uncertain times.
For a Song and a Hundred Songs | A Poet’s Journey through a Chinese Prison by Liao Yiwu captures the four brutal years Liao spent in jail for writing the incendiary poem “Massacre.” Through the power and beauty of his prose, he reveals the bleak reality of crowded Chinese prisons — the harassment from guards and fellow prisoners, the torture, the conflicts among human beings in close confinement, and the boredom of everyday life. In this important book, Liao presents a stark and devastating portrait of a nation in flux, exposing a side of China that outsiders rarely get to see.
June Fourth Elegies by Liu Xiaobo is a collection of the author’s poems about the protests in Tiananmen Square. The collection presents Liu’s poems written across twenty years in memory of fellow protestors at Tiananmen Square, as well as poems addressed to his wife, Liu Xia.
Second Simplicity | New Poetry and Prose (1991-2011) by Yves Bonnefoy collects the recent works of renowned French poet Yves Bonnefoy. This collection reflects the poet’s powerful engagement with the New England landscape; its quiet woods and fields have helped to shape to the pared-down aesthetic of his recent years.
Peter and Amy Bernstein founded Bernstein Literary Agency in 2009. For over two decades, we have worked with over 100 brilliant authors around the globe and across a gamut of subjects to get their books published, and their stories told. We typically work on non-fiction projects, but we have helped bring many fiction books, children’s books, and the occasional cookbook to market. We work with authors in all stages of their careers, from experienced, award-winning, and bestselling ones to debut writers ready to take on the world.
Amitav Acharya
Esther Allen
Gerard Araud
Chris Bohjalian
Andrew Scott Cooper
Vincent Coppola
Eva Dou
Caldwell B., Esselstyn, Jr., M.D.
Bruce Falconer
Gillian Lipton
Sven Steinmo
Robert Suettinger
Tanzina Vega
Olajide Williams
Dalena Wright