Hello /lit/.
I am a very new to reading. I have an interest in learning more about poetry and reading more poetry. Never had much interest in it, but I read a "Lines Written in Early Spring" by William Woodsworth and immediately cried from how beautiful it was. I already bought his collected works, but what other poetry should I read? Also, I'm Portuguese, already familiar with Pessoa's works through school and have the "Book of Disquiet", but is there any other mandatory Portuguese poetry? Thanks in advance.

>>24526546 (OP)
Start with Homer. He's still very, very readable, especially the Odyssey. Hugely influential, unburdened by the philosophical heft and theological bulk of the likes of Dante. The translations are also continously updated, making him sound way more modern than someone like Chaucer or Shakespeare. The narrative also helps you orient yourself, you're not left on your own like in abstract poetry. He's intensely physical, his metaphors down to earth, and his characters legendary.

>>24526619
Should I seek any particular translation/edition? I'm a bit hesitant to read translated poetry, but I guess I'll have to get to the classics at one point or another. How does The Lusiads hold up against the Odyssey? Maybe I should start with something in my native language. What do you think?

>>24526636
Dunno, I'm not Portuguese. But a 16th century book will always be less readable than a modern translation.
A good translation is just as much of a work of art as the original. There's a famous quote regarding Alexander Pope's translation of the Iliad: "It is a pretty poem, Mr Pope, but you must not call it Homer". Obviously referring to the creative liberties, but I choose to focus on the 'pretty poem' part.
You're probably best off reading Homer in Portuguese, but if you're dead-set on reading him in English for whatever reason, then choose the you vibe with the most:
>Pope
Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring
Of woes unnumber'd, heavenly goddess, sing!
That wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign
The souls of mighty chiefs untimely slain;
Whose limbs unburied on the naked shore,
Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore.
Since great Achilles and Atrides strove,
Such was the sovereign doom, and such the will of Jove!
>Fitzgerald
Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the undergloom,
leaving so many dead men—carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.
Begin it when the two men first contending
broke with one another— the Lord Marshal
Agamémnon, Atreus’ son, and Prince Akhilleus.
>Fagles
Rage—Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,
murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds,
and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end.
Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed,
Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles.
>Lattimore
Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus' son Achilles
and its devastation, which put pains thousand-fold upon the Achaians,
hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls
of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting
of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished
since that time when first there stood in division of conflict
Atreus’ son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus.

And I always recommend comparing the translations whenever you can. Pirate some e-books, look at the different opening lines and choose the most pleasant one.

>>24526546 (OP)
Adding on to what anon said while I wouldn't read Pope's translations of Homer, you should check our his other work like Rape of the Lock