Poetry is like a whole genre itself. It has a certain feel when you go through poetry, you almost feel like you are reading it with a singing inner voice.

Poetry, just like prose, can go in more sub-genres. I’ll be honest with you; it's times when I prefer prose. But then, poetry has its own place in my heart.

And when you mix both poetry and prose, you just can't go wrong. There's a bit of everything, a bit of singing in your mind, and some relaxing moments when you go through the prose and simply dive in.

If you like philosophy, interpretations, and different meanings for apparently normal things, prose poetry books represent the perfect cocktail of thinking notions, values, and different theories.

The style has a special place in my heart, and trust me when I say I've been through dozens of books. All in all, here are my favorites and my top recommendations. I'll give you a few insights about what to expect, but don't worry, there aren't too many spoilers.

What Are The Best Philosophical Prose Poetry Books?

The Poetic Vibrations of a Matured Butterfly, by Arthur Conway (2021)

Whether you're looking for a gift for someone, a book to help you rediscover yourself, or perhaps a little challenge on a Sunday afternoon, Arthur Conway's book is a masterpiece.

Before I dig deeper, let me mention it’s got illustrations by Hampton Olfus.

All in all, the concept is fairly simple to understand. Go to a local park on a quiet spring day, sit on a bench, and look at matured butterflies around you. We always overlook them, but the truth is there is plenty to learn from them.

Think about it for a second… They’ve been in a larva stage and exposed to all kinds of predators. Then, they’ve managed to go through a full metamorphosis, only to become the beautiful beings we see these days.

They've always been around, and somehow, they manage to survive the harshest conditions. And this is what we need to learn from them.

The book is split into three parts, and each of them has its own philosophical observations. The author identifies himself as a butterfly and shares his ideas over all kinds of topics.

It’s a relaxing book that will take you from philosophy and history to politics and everyday worries. It feels like sitting down with an old friend and having a conversation with a coffee.

You'll hate it when it's over, and you'll crave for more… And here are a few other titles to consider.

On Seeing and Noticing, by Alain de Botton (2005)

Like I promised you before, this is another masterpiece that will feel like you’re spending quality time with an old friend on a Sunday afternoon. It's the perfect prose poem example of opinions on different aspects of life.

I’m not sure how to describe this book, but it feels good reading it.

It’s about sadness, happiness, philosophy, romanticism, ideas, thoughts, you name it. I think it’s about everything that can be deep and have multiple meanings.

Now, the thing is, it's not original. Instead, Alain de Botton has brought together ideas from some of the world's greatest artists. He's discussing them, expressing his points of view and thoughts.

It's almost like an invitation to a coffee. Get in there, and let's talk. Let's discuss love, then let's move on to what makes us feel sad. Then, how about your deepest concerns?

I’ll be honest with you, there aren’t too many positive aspects in this book, but it’s not a negative release either. I’d say it’s general and focused on things with a deep meaning. It won’t put you in a bad mood, but it will make you feel more profound.

Anyway, it’s probably one of the best prose poetry books out there, and for some good reasons.

All of Us, by Raymond Carver (1996)

Raymond Carver is one of the greatest storytellers of our generation. I know, I keep saying it, but I love authors who make you feel like they’re there, right in front of you. He does a pretty good job at it, and All of Us is by far one of my favorite prose poetry books.

It’s no surprise… Raymond Carver is often referred to as the American Chekhov. He started with a poem, but he’s slowly moved on to storytelling, and he's done it in a brilliant way.

This book allows people to discover him as he truly started, a real poet. It’s a collection of his best poems, written over a few decades. Some of them are world renowned, such as Ultramarine or Fires. Some others are less known, but just as impressive.

Anyway, there are over 50 poems in the book, and some of them have never been published in certain countries.

There isn't much philosophy in them, but you can tell they have a powerful storytelling attitude, and that’s what makes the book so special.

Milk and Honey, by Rupi Kaur (2015)

This is Rupi Kaur's first book, and you can probably tell straight away. I'm not sure what it is, but you might have noticed it before. There's something about new authors.

They have a certain type of innocence. They haven't been polished by the industry, and they're not necessarily following all the rules. And that's exactly what makes their work unique.

Anyway, there are more than 200 pages to enjoy and some of the deepest poems you’ve ever read.

I believe this poem collection is mostly aimed at women. I mean, there’s not much men can feel about it.

Also, you don’t need to go through all of it in one go. You could, but it’s not worth it. I think it makes more sense to keep it by your nightstand and read a couple of poems before going to sleep. Then, you can just contemplate and fall asleep while thinking about their meanings.

I found myself in pretty much every poem. They’re modern and honest, but more importantly, they analyze the collective experiences modern women have to go through. Explore the philosophy, find yourself, and enjoy.

Yesterday I Was the Moon, by Noor Unnahar (2018)

Love can embrace multiple forms, and that's exactly what Noor Unnahar explores. Love can be spiritual or perhaps intimate. Love is also associated with loss and can cause serious suffering.

Then, the author flows from one theme to another. I find everything to be strongly related, but I guess each of us will interpret the book differently.

From love and emotional loss to art and the necessity to find your inner voice, everything is covered in this book.

The author’s poetry can definitely stand out in the crowd, mostly because of how it floats. It goes from universal truth and different interpretations to her own heritage, emotional home and the battle for self-discovery.

I know, I’ve covered a lot of different aspects with my review, but that’s exactly what this book does. You won’t be able to tell what it’s doing, it just feels never ending.

One of the best parts about the author is the fact that you can actually interact with her. She's new, and while she's not among the most famous writers out there, I think she'll definitely reach that stage. Her social media is an open world where everyone can engage with her words and visual journey.

The Remedies, by Katharine Towers (2016)

If you’re into poetry, you might have heard of Katharine Towers when she won the Seamus Heaney Centre Poetry Prize. Or maybe you heard about her first collection of poems, which drew attention straight away with depth and an excellent sense of philosophy.

I’ve been through her first book, but I think The Remedies is her best piece of work so far. The Remedies is Katharine Towers’ second collection of poems and a book of actual wonders.

I don’t know how to describe these poems, and I don't want to give you any spoilers, but they jump from one theme to another. And while they may often look like plain stories, the truth is they have deeper meanings. And that's your job to discover…

Some of these stories won’t necessarily make sense, but they explore our relationship with everything around us. It’s a spiritual journey that may take time to discover, but it will raise the expectations.

If you thought the first collection was good, wait until you read this one. And I’m desperately waiting for her next piece of work because I think things will only get better from this point on.

Final words on the best Prose Poetry Books

These prose poetry books will most likely give you an excellent experience, from exploring your inner self to analyzing life’s challenges.

A good poem can certainly change your mood. And while I do agree that a philosophical masterpiece can make you feel melancholic, it’s the type of melancholy you’ll actually enjoy.

It’s difficult to find quality poems these days, but the above mentioned titles will throw you in an excellent mood while also giving you something to think about.

Check also our favorite short poetry collections!

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