The Poetic Farewell: David Lehman Unpacks the End of 'The Best American Poetry' Series After 35 Years

A significant chapter in American literary history is drawing to a close. After 35 remarkable years of curating the nation's most vibrant poetic voices, 'The Best American Poetry' series is bowing out. The news, delivered by the series' esteemed founder and guiding light, David Lehman, has sent ripples of reflection throughout the literary world, prompting both melancholy and a celebration of its profound legacy.

Since its inception in 1988, 'The Best American Poetry' has been more than just an annual anthology; it has been a barometer of contemporary American verse, a launchpad for emerging talents, and a reliable compass for readers navigating the vast and ever-evolving landscape of poetry.

Under Lehman’s steadfast editorship and his discerning eye for guest editors—a roster that reads like a who's who of literary giants from John Ashbery to Rita Dove—the series consistently championed diversity in style, voice, and perspective, creating an indispensable record of an art form in motion.

Lehman, a poet and critic himself, has candidly explained the multifaceted reasons behind this momentous decision.

While the series has enjoyed a long and illustrious run, the publishing world, like all creative industries, is constantly shifting. The sheer dedication and exhaustive effort required to sift through thousands of poems annually, identify emerging trends, and maintain the series' high standards have been immense.

For Lehman, after three and a half decades, the time has come to conclude this monumental labor of love, allowing both himself and the series to conclude on a note of strength and completeness.

The impact of 'The Best American Poetry' cannot be overstated. It has introduced countless readers to poets they might never have encountered, shaped academic curricula, and provided a vital annual snapshot of the poetic zeitgeist.

It fostered a sense of community among poets and critics, sparking conversations and debates that enriched the cultural discourse. Its pages hold the early works of poets who would go on to become household names and preserved the enduring brilliance of established masters.

As the final volume of 'The Best American Poetry' approaches, the literary community is left to ponder its absence.

Yet, Lehman's decision, though bittersweet, also offers an opportunity for reflection on the nature of literary institutions and the cycles of influence. The series’ legacy is not merely in the collected pages but in the countless lives it touched, the voices it amplified, and the enduring love for poetry it ignited in generations of readers.

It concludes not with a whimper, but with the quiet dignity of a project that fulfilled its mission with unparalleled success, leaving behind an indelible mark on American literature.