In this magnificent new collection, Smith (Pulitzer Prize winner and the 22nd Poet Laureate of the United States) brings a powerful mythic, even prophetic voice to political and private ruptures, where the forest of the title becomes both a place where we become lost and where we might take solace.

The Forest is an act of foresight beyond the granular realities of partisan depravity, polarization, and indifference. Smith reaches an exhilarating new height, in contact with the ecstatic and the rapturous.

In this slim volume, acclaimed poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith shares twenty of her favorite Emily Dickinson poems—chosen for their ability to provide pleasure, spiritual sustenance, and wisdom. More than just an introduction to Emily Dickinson, this gift edition offers a seasoned teacher and poet's personal insight into one of our greatest poets through her rich and personal commentaries. 

Moving beyond the myths of Dickinson’s reclusive life, Smith illuminates the stylistic, imaginative, and linguistic features of each of her selections, providing vital context that allows readers to appreciate Dickinson's startling innovations and aesthetic power—and challenging us to look anew at what each of these poems has to say about life.

As public discourse grows louder and more extreme, Tracy K. Smith asks whether our everyday language is quietly shaping a culture of fear and deepening division. Drawing on her experience as United States Poet Laureate, Smith explores how poetry sharpens our capacities to listen, imagine, and insist on language that honors our shared complexity.