Indian Poets

The Fall 2021 issue features a tribute to Indian Poets. The world’s largest democracy is also the second-largest English-speaking population. We explore the state of contemporary poetry in India, featuring 16 Indian poets and a profound conversation with Forward Prize-winner Tishani Doshi. The issue also includes both cover art and a brilliant sestina by Aakriti Karun, a young poet who debuted in this year’s RYPA anthology.

The issue includes another exciting and highly-varied open section, presenting poets such as Skye Jackson and Stephen Dunn, covering a wide range of subjects and styles. From gorgeous haiku (“Five Haiku in Spring” by Deborah A. Bennett), to Rebecca Schumejda’s thoughtful narrative poem “Volunteering at the Avian Rescue Center,” to a laugh-out-loud-funny exploration of the struggles of fatherhood (Jeff Tigchelaar’s “Is There Anything I Can Do”), there’s much for everyone to enjoy and savor in this colorful collection.

The open section is full of familiar names and new faces, including two past Rattle Poetry Prize winners in Joseph Fasano and Alison Townsend, plus Jason Olsen’s long footnoted look at the celebrity apology.