Robert Browning wrote fantastic poetry, particularly "The Lost Leader", his allegory about William Wordsworth's "abandonment of the liberal cause". The voice that came through in his poetry spoke volumes to me, and he's been an inspiration of mine for decades.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an incredible poet, whose style was just perfect for his time and place.

William Wordsworth, a romantic poet with a beautiful voice always intrigued me.

And finally, Bob Dylan, perhaps the greatest poet of them all. His lyrics (poetry) defined a generation - no matter how fiercely he may deny it - and his poetry will live on forever.

I have to agree with JohnBonham on his saying Bob Dylan. The man was amazing.

But my favorite poets are Poe, and Emily Dickinson.

Now this is actually rather tough a question. I'm very fond of Alfred, Lord Tennyson when it comes to Victorian poetry, but William Dunbar is also held by myself in highest esteem. But then one mustn't forget the other Scottish makars of the mediaeval period, and of course Snorri Sturluson, other of the Prose and the Poetic Edda. I'm not very much fond of continental poetry, however, but von Goethe was excellent.

I really don't think I would be able to list my absolute favorites, but these are some of the better ones whom I've yet come across.

EDIT: Looking over other comments, I realized that I had forgotten Edgar Allan Poe, who ought also be up on that list.

I love Robert Frost.

His use of rhyme and meter is intriguing. Frost doesn't use common rhymes and knows how to capture the audience's heart.

His poetry is often philosophical and talks about life. Among his best known works are "Fire and Ice" and "The Road Not Taken".

Frost's poetry is open to interpretation and very inspiring. He's also a reasonably modern poet, and not as likely to make high school students whimper like Shakespeare.

Carol Ann Duffy. I like that her poems are often about outcasts who I can relate to. She was one of the few poets on my GCSE English Lit anthology who I liked.

Lord Byron, "She Walks in Beauty." This poem is an ode to any lady who is beautiful.