We all need a bit of poetry in our lives to inspire and to elevate. But what happens when poetry goes wrong, and how bad can it get? Stephen Robins has scoured the anthologies of the world to amass the most astonishing examples of really awful verse. Each featured poet is introduced with a light-hearted discussion of his or her life, exploring published works, fame, and reputation. The result is a treasure trove of poetic disasters that should hold the attention of even the most jaded reader.