I have been working like crazy lately on short fiction, preparing my application to the Clarion Workshop. But I've been meaning to gather awe-inspiring poets for more than a month. So creating this was a worthy distraction. Who are your favorite poets?

Really Good Poets:
Andrea Gibson: Probably my favorite poet (as much as I have one). Here's some crazy wonderful love poetry that makes me love her:
An awesome political poem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoWNnt4Fdh4
Real optimism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=untGVUfVGdo
Who wouldn't fall in love with her? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA7AaBSroq8

Sarah Kay: She gave an excellent TED talk about poetry then performed two great poems: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0snNB1yS3IE
Cute and Clever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIAQENsqcuM&feature=related Awesome poem about friendship: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgNdTnIGDRs

Saul Williams (I don't always get his poems but this one is brilliant):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1S7qTsW5SY

Talor Mali-- this is a classic poem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpog1_NFd2Q&feature=related

tanya davis: she writes true. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7X7sZzSXYs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soleJsaBZD4&feature=related

Buddy Wakefield: original and powerful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIr4pL9P0SA

Gary Soto. Just one of my favorite poems ever. http://www.akoot.com/garysoto10.html