Poetry isn’t just something found in schoolbooks or libraries.

It’s everywhere.

People around the world have been writing and sharing poetry for thousands of years. Poetry has always been a way to tell stories, remember history, and express emotions.

So, what do we mean by global poetry?

Global poetry simply means poetry that comes from all over the world. It’s written by people in different countries, in different languages, and in different time periods. Some of it is very old. Some is brand new. But all of it has something to say.

Sometimes it’s spoken out loud. Sometimes it’s sung. Sometimes it’s written down in a notebook or shared online.

You’ll see that poems from other countries don’t always look like the poems you might be used to. Some rhyme. Some don’t. Some follow very specific rules. Others break all the rules.

That’s part of what makes it interesting.

In this course, we’re going to read poems from places like India, France, China, Africa, and more. You’ll notice new styles, unfamiliar words, and maybe even some phrases in other languages. And that’s okay. You don’t have to understand every line right away. The goal is to explore, learn something new, and enjoy the experience.

You’ll also get to try writing poetry of your own, inspired by what you read. So keep your eyes open for cool ideas, interesting images, and emotions that come through the poems. Those are the things that make poetry powerful—no matter where it comes from.

Have you ever read or heard a poem that wasn’t originally written in your language? What do you remember about it?