To read Carl Phillips to enter a world of finely-wrought poems that explore mind and body, history and intimacy. Phillips is a professor of English and African-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis and a much praised and honored…

Carl Phillips is the author of 10 books of poems, including most recently, "Speak Low." He is Professor of English and African-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also teaches in the Creative Writing Program.

Taha Muhammad Ali has published several collections of poetry and is also writes short stories. He has published two collections in English, and a new biography of Taha Muhammad Ali written by Adina Hoffman has just come out.

Constantine Cavafy, the greatest Greek poet since antiquity, never published a complete book of his poems during his lifetime. But last week, we got a new look at his work in two volumes.

On this first day of April when you're playing practical jokes on your friends or family, do it poetically. Even better, celebrate the beginning of National Poetry Month instead.