Maggie Smith (poet)

Maggie Smith (born 1977) is an American poet, essayist, and freelance writer. She is known for her accessible yet emotionally resonant poetry, often exploring themes of motherhood, loss, change, and resilience.

Smith's work has been widely published in literary journals and magazines, including The Paris Review, The Gettysburg Review, Ploughshares, Virginia Quarterly Review, and The New York Times. She has authored several collections of poetry, including Lamp of the Body (2005), The Well Speaks of Its Own Poison (2012), Ecleague (2014), Golden Delicious (2016), Good Bones (2017), Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change (2020), and You Could Make This Place Beautiful (2023).

Her poem "Good Bones," which speaks to the difficulties of raising children in a world filled with suffering, became widely shared online and brought her significant attention.

Smith has received several awards and fellowships for her work, including the Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award and the Dorset Prize. She often leads workshops and gives readings, connecting with audiences through her insightful and relatable verse. She resides in Columbus, Ohio.