Often when we think of poem collections, we assume them to be shorter pieces of literature that can be read almost immediately. While it’s true that many poetry books will be on the smaller side, there are a surprising number that are longer and more substantial works. That raises the question: How long are poetry books usually?
The length of a poetry book obviously varies significantly from one work to the next. One of the shortest poem collections is E. E. Cummings’ “Tulips & Chimneys,” which clocks in at only 64 pages. At the other end of the spectrum is Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Poetical Works of Coleridge:” it is a massive 696 page tome.
Though most book of poems range from 50 to 200 pages, some of the longer works can even find 500+ page versions. It is therefore difficult to definitively answer the question of how long the average poetry book is. It is more appropriate to look at the average length of each type of book.
If looking exclusively at collections of published poems, such as those edited and curated by a publisher, most are between 100 to 200 pages. Such collections will feature a variety of poems covering different styles and topics, so the book length is determined by how many pieces a publisher decides to include.
However, looking at manuscripts from individual authors, such as works by Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost, their collections tend to be slightly longer. Compiling ideas, editing work, and creating a timeline for the story that the poet is trying to tell often requires more material than a simple anthology. Such manuscripts will usually have around 200 to 400 pages, depending on the number of poems and the length of each.
Finally, bi-lingual (or multi-lingual) poem collections are typically the longest, as they require more text to be included. One example is “Poems of Love,” by Walter de la Mare, which is closer to 500 pages due to its multiple translations.
Types of Poem Collections
The length of a poem collection can also be partly determined by the type of poems that are inside. For example, a lyric-type poem will often be shorter, but a long poem such as an epic can take up much more space. Long poems rely on their story and the amount of space they take up to fully be appreciated, so the work will often be longer than average in order to fully realize its purpose.
Other types of poems such as sonnets may also take up space in a collection, but the primary focus of such books is often on the stories found within the individual poems. This means that such collections are often shorter than those that are more thoroughly compiled. The overarching theme of the work can definitely influence the length of the book, which is something that readers should keep in mind when they are looking at collections.
In general, it is important to consider the type of book that a reader is dealing with before automatically assuming that it is going to be relatively short. While many poem collections will fit into that description, there are some that are multi-volume works that are much, much longer. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the length question. It all comes down to the context within which the poem book is being presented.
Famous Poetry Books
Given the fact that poetry books come in a wide range of lengths, some of the most famous poetry books from history are also some of the longest works of poetry. One such example is Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy,” which is often considered to be a cornerstone of Italian and world literature. This 14,233 line poem splits up into three sections that range from being incredibly long to incredibly short.
Other famous poem collections include William Wordsworth’s “Lyrical Ballads” and Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass.” Both books contain a variety of styles and works, and in each case the length of the work depends largely on the amount of material included. Wordsworth’s collection clocks in around 500 pages, while Whitman’s can take up as much as 600.
Aside from famous works, there are also a number of lesser known books that can be incredibly long. A poem called “Lamentations” by G.K. Chesterton, for example, clocks in at over 600 pages. Meanwhile, the poem “The Odyssey” by Homer is over 700 pages in its original Greek form, and is often cited as one of the longest poems ever written.
Literary Impact
It is not just the length of the poem book that matters, though. It is also the content and the legacy that a work creates. Some of the most famous poem books of all time, such as “Paradise Lost” by John Milton, “Faust” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri, have all had a large impact on the literary world. Their influences are still being felt today in a variety of forms.
The length of each one of these works may be slightly different, but their stories are timeless and continue to influence poets today. It is therefore important to remember that the length of a poem book is not the only factor that matters when it comes to assessing its importance. The words and the effects that they create are also key in determining the impact that a work will have.
Publishing Poem Books
For aspiring authors, it is sometimes difficult to determine how long a poem book should be. While there is no definitive answer, it is generally accepted that a book of poems should be at least 50 pages and no longer than 500 pages. This is often seen as being a reasonable size for publishers to consider when they are deciding which books to accept.
It is also important to consider the individual poems that you include in the book. As mentioned earlier, the length of each one will have an impact on the overall length of the collection. Therefore, it is important to think about the amount of words that each poem takes up, as well as the poet’s overall story arc to ensure that the book is not overlong.
Finally, it is important to remember that the length of a poem book is not the only thing that matters. The quality of the work is what is ultimately going to determine the success of the book. Therefore, aspiring authors should focus on the words that they are using and the stories that they are telling, rather than the number of pages in the collection.
In Conclusion
The length of a poetry book can vary greatly, depending on the type and context of the work. While some collections of published poems may only be a few hundred pages, other manuscripts from individual authors can reach up to 500 pages or more. It is therefore difficult to definitively answer the question of how long the average poetry book is.
It is important to keep in mind that the length of a poem book is not always indicative of its quality. Some of the most famous and influential poetry books of all time have been fairly short works, such as E. E. Cummings’ “Tulips & Chimneys,” which is only 64 pages. Therefore, authors should focus on the quality of the poems included, rather than the length of the book.
