Sometimes we just want the best. But that involves choices, judgements, decisions. And that all depends on our feelings, our mood at the time.

Even more so with Poetry. Would we like a little more pathos, or love, or humour with that? Can we only choose one Keats? And 'If'? Surely Kipling wrote something else?

So difficult to decide. This one or that? Is it easier to choose your fifty favourite poets or your fifty favourite poems?

The argument can go on forever, certainly a few days. However what we can all agree on is that poets have a way with words that almost all of us respect and admire and can't compete with. Who hasn't wanted to quote some favourite lines to make a better point?

In this volume we made those choices, judgements and decisions for you.

Some you will love. Maybe not today but tomorrow. Others may not initially be your cup of tea. But they will all make you think and bring you closer to something... or someone.

This volume comes to you from Portable Poetry, a specialized imprint from Deadtree Publishing. Our range is large and growing and covers single poets, themes, and many compilations.