Ciuraru, Carmela, ed., Beat Poets, Everyman's Library, 2002.

Ponsot published her first book of poems in the same year and through the same small publishing house (City Lights) that Allen Ginsberg's book Howl (1956) was published. The publishing house fostered many of the beat poets; for this reason, Ponsot is often considered one of the beat poets herself. To find out about these poets, this collection is a good place to start. The poems of Kerouac, Ferlinghetti, and Diane di Prima are featured in this collection.

Gardner, Helen, ed., The Metaphysical Poets, Penguin Classics, 1960.

Ponsot is often referred to as a metaphysical poet. This book is a good introduction to some of the metaphysical poets. There is an excellent introduction as well as copious footnotes to help readers gain insight into this form of poetry.

Hirsch, Edward, How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with...