I've been writing poetry for about 5 years so far.  The poets I enjoy most include: Sylvia Plath, William Butler Yeats, William Blake, Hafiz, Rumi, Li Po, Basho, Robert Duncan, Wallace Stevens, Allen Ginsberg, Saul Williams and Franz Wright.  They have had a great influence on my writing.  My high school english teacher Michael Nipert was the one who ignited my interest in poetry, and I have been writing ever since.  Most of my poetry is stream of consciousness with little to no editing (probably a bad thing!).   Most of the books I read are either books of poetry or books on Buddhist philosophy, more the latter.  I feel that poetry is a truly incredible way to express oneself; it seems to tap into the a transcendent consciousness, a deeper awareness by using imagery, metaphor, and rhythm to speak to us on a new level.  I do not believe my poetry can do this at all well, but all of the poets listed above, for me, are quite extraordinary in this sense.  Poetry should leap out of the page.  It should really speak to you, puzzle you, excite you, and above all make you see the world in a new way.

Although I love poetry, I also have other interests.  I'm a practicing Tibetan Buddhist and a currently a physics major / art history minor.  I also have a deep interest in Indian culture, food, music, religion etc.